Defence Holdings (LSE:LSE:VSVS), a UK software-led defence technology group, has branded its capability acceleration programme "Meridian" and launched a dedicated digital platform to support its rollout, with applications now open following the programme's 15 June start date.
Meridian is designed to connect emerging defence and dual-use technology companies with customer access, capital support and operational infrastructure, targeting a gap the company describes as a persistent barrier for smaller specialist firms: proximity to defence customers without evidence of commercial maturity, and capital without evidence of customer demand.
The programme will work with a number of selected participants rather than operating as a broad cohort accelerator, with selection weighted towards technologies addressing operational requirements across defence, national security and resilience markets.
Oracle serves as Meridian's hyperscale cloud partner, while IMSL provides procurement framework access, accredited operating environments, bid support and specialist expertise.
Oracle Defence Ecosystem members will have an accelerated pathway into the programme, it added.
"Meridian has been established to help address a challenge frequently encountered by emerging defence and national security technology companies," said Chief Executive Andrew Roughan, citing the need for customer proximity, capital access and deployment infrastructure in a single framework.
The digital platform provides programme information, participation criteria, partner details and application processes for founders and stakeholders.
