Exploitation
The Centre for Defence Enterprise connects innovators to other parts of the Ministry of Defence. Proposals received by CDE will be assessed by experts across the Department who cover all aspects of defence. The CDE will discuss relevant proposals with the appropriate stakeholder for inclusion in extant programmes.
CDE will directly support early stage proposals seeking initial seed or proof-of-concept funding. Private equity from Business Angels for development and later Venture Capitalists for production and sales should be attracted by the opportunity to enter the £16Bn a year business of supply the UK Armed Forces.
Successful concepts at relatively immature technology level will be support by the MOD's research programme against the relevant part of the Defence Technology Plan (DTP). More mature technology will be discussed with military customers and/or Defence Equipment and Support depending on the idea. They would form part of the equipment programme. Opportunities with potential immediate operational impact may be quickly dealt with as an urgent operational requirement.
Successful proposals and their eventual products would enter the normal competitive acquisition cycle or supply chain. CDE will not distort future competitive procurement.