Exeger, the Swedish industrial deep-tech company behind the patented solar cell technology Powerfoyle, has been selected to join the highly prestigious NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). Only 150 companies worldwide were chosen from more than 3,600 applicants, and of these only 15 were selected for the Energy & Power Challenge. This places Exeger firmly in the absolute top tier of global dual-use technology innovators. The selection also comes at a significant moment for Sweden, following the country’s recent accession to NATO and its strengthened role in advancing European and transatlantic security capabilities.
DIANA is NATO’s flagship innovation programme, designed to identify and accelerate technologies with the potential to transform both civilian and defence operations. Priority domains include energy and power autonomy, advanced materials, next-generation sensors, AI, robotics, space and secure communication. Within this landscape, Exeger’s light-powered, silicon-free solar cell technology was recognised as a uniquely strategic enabler for a new generation of battery-independent, always-on systems capable of operating in the world’s most demanding environments.
“Being selected for DIANA is a major milestone for Exeger. This is one of the world’s most competitive and ambitious innovation programmes, and the selection highlights the transformative potential of Powerfoyle across both civilian and defence applications,” said Giovanni Fili, CEO and founder of Exeger. “Our technology offers unprecedented power autonomy for sensors, communication devices and mission-critical equipment that must operate reliably without ever replacing a battery. DIANA provides access to elite test environments, top-tier experts and a powerful transatlantic network, accelerating our path to large-scale impact.”
As part of the programme, Exeger will collaborate with DIANA’s accelerator hubs and test centres across Europe and North America to fast-track the integration of Powerfoyle into selected dual-use systems. Initial focus areas include sectors where long-life, maintenance-free energy harvesting is essential to enable capabilities such as communication and surveillance. Future areas could include field sensors, situational-awareness equipment, infrastructure monitoring, logistics systems, autonomous devices and next-generation protective gear.
Beyond the technical value, DIANA offers Exeger direct access to one of the largest and fastest-growing dual-use markets in the world. The programme connects participating companies not only with NATO partners and procurement channels, but also with major industrial actors active across civilian safety, critical infrastructure, defence modernisation and large-scale IoT deployments. This positions Exeger for substantial commercial opportunities as global demand accelerates for autonomous, battery-independent systems.
Exeger’s selection to DIANA also marks the formal launch of the company’s new business area, Defence Tech, focused on delivering energy-autonomous solutions for next-generation defence and security applications. With manufacturing based in Europe and full industrial capacity already established in Stockholm, Exeger offers NATO partners and European defence industries a uniquely resilient, sovereign and scalable supply chain for energy-harvesting technologies. This strategic expansion reflects a rapidly growing market demand and positions Powerfoyle as a key enabling technology for resilient, maintenance-free systems across the defence sector.
Exeger’s participation in DIANA reinforces Sweden’s position as a global powerhouse in sustainable advanced materials and next-generation energy innovation, and highlights the company’s commercial potential at a pivotal moment in its growth journey.
Exeger develops and manufactures Powerfoyle, a flexible, silicon-free thin-film solar cell that generates energy from all forms of light. Powerfoyle is the world’s only fully customizable solar cell and can be seamlessly integrated into electronic products without compromising design or durability.
The technology is used in applications ranging from consumer electronics to industrial and sensor-based systems – including solutions within security and defense tech – where it extends, or even eliminates, the need for battery charging. By replacing disposable batteries and reducing maintenance requirements, Powerfoyle enables more sustainable, reliable and user-friendly solutions in demanding environments.
Founded in 2009, Exeger operates two factories in Stockholm. The company collaborates with leading global brands, industrial partners and organizations within defense and security to enable energy-autonomous products. Exeger is pioneering the shift toward self-powered, sustainable energy solutions – with the vision to touch the lives of a billion people by 2030
DIANA is NATO’s premier innovation accelerator, created to bridge the gap between cutting-edge commercial technology and the defence and security needs of allied nations. Through a network of accelerator sites and test centres across Europe and North America, DIANA supports early-stage and scale-up companies developing dual-use technologies in areas such as energy, autonomy, advanced materials, sensors, AI, quantum and space. DIANA provides funding pathways, technical validation and access to a powerful transatlantic innovation ecosystem to accelerate the development and deployment of critical technologies.
