DASA Growth Impact Report 2025

Since 2016, DASA has backed 461 UK SMEs developing cutting-edge, dual-use technologies — bridging national security and commercial impact.

Its impact is exemplified by the following:

• £592m in equity raised by DASA-supported firms.

• 1,842 jobs added since receiving DASA funding.

• Nearly a billion pounds (£974m) in GVA since 2019.

• £174m raised in 2024 alone.

This report examines DASA’s extensive reach across the UK, its role in regional innovation clusters, and how its support has enabled breakthroughs in defence, cybersecurity, aerospace, and more. Discover how DASA’s funding has transformed early innovation into national capability and global competitiveness.

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Inside the report

DASA Growth Impact Report 2025 — sector breakdown

DASA Growth Impact Report 2025 — regional innovation clusters

About the authors

Henry Whorwood
Managing Director
Henry leads our Beauhurst Insights team, and is an expert on equity finance and high-growth business. He's worked on briefs for the likes of Barclays, SyndicateRoom, Innovate UK, Smith & Williamson and British Business Bank. He regularly gives presentations on market trends at events around the UK.
Callum Newton
Public Sector Lead
Callum is the Public Sector Lead for Beauhurst Insights, responsible for leading on the team's public sector work. Before joining Beauhurst, Callum was a Senior Researcher at Westminster-based think-tank Onward focusing on 'Levelling Up' policy. He was also a Consultant in Portland Communication's specialist Litigation & Disputes practice.
Hannah Nicholls
Senior Designer
Hannah produces graphic design and data visualisation for the Beauhurst Insights team, and has accumulated over 11 years of experience within the design industry. In the last 4+ years, she has specialised in data visualisation and report design, focusing on creating bespoke reports for strategy and thought leadership.
Bila Turay
Research Manager
Bila handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as project management. Before joining Beauhurst, Bila worked at an R&D Tax consultancy. She graduated from the University of Warwick with a Master of Chemistry (MChem).
Miraj Mistry
Senior Research Manager
Miraj handles project management and data analysis for Beauhurst Insights. His previous role was with an economic consultancy who specialise in providing socio-economic research and analysis to support infrastructure and transport projects. He holds an MSc in economics from the University of Bristol and a BSc from the University of Leeds.
Advone Katsande
Graduate Associate
Advone writes copy, and performs data analysis and visualisation. She has written on the nature of Venture Capital Trusts, and worked on projects for Rawnet and Deloitte. She read Law at the University of East Anglia, where she acquired her undergraduate LLB.
Blanca Valencia
Graduate Associate
Blanca handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as copywriting. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Blanca graduated from Queen Mary University of London, where she was awarded a BSc in Computer Science with Management (ITMB).
Harry Walker
Graduate Associate
Harry conducts data analysis and visualisation. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Harry graduated from Loughborough University, where he was awarded a BSc in Economics, having also completed a Placement Year working in Risk Analysis at the Bank of England.
Justin Tsui
Associate
Justin handles data analysis and visualisation, as well as copywriting. Before joining, Justin graduated from Imperial College London, where he was awarded a MSc in Applied Biosciences and Biotechnology. He has also previously worked in consulting and academia.
Evangeline Luckhurst
Designer
Evangeline produces graphic design and data visualisation in the Beauhurst Insights team. Prior to joining Beauhurst, Evangeline graduated from University for the Creative Arts, where she was awarded a BA (Hons) in Illustration and Animation.