This strategic initiative brings together Leonardo’s significant experience, expertise and market access with the UK’s most innovative defence and security SMEs. It is designed to create mutually beneficial partnerships with a select number of SMEs each year, and reflects Leonardo’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and growing a sustainable UK defence industry.

Form1 is the UK’s leading commercialisation partner for B2B technology scale-ups and technology access partner for established corporates. Its approach to partnering is human-centric and hands on, with a core focus on developing trusted relationships and delivering commercial outcomes. The Form1 team boasts a broad defence background with experience covering the UK Ministry of Defence, Royal Air Force, Strategic Command, DE&S and industry primes.

The partner programme will be managed by a dedicated Leonardo and Form1 team, working together to operationalise a select number of long-term SME partnerships and commercialise their IP to build sustainable, high-value businesses that deliver credible capability at scale.

New model for SME engagement

Recognising that SMEs are responsible for creating many of the most significant technological breakthroughs, Leonardo hopes that forging long-term, strategic and bespoke partnerships with SMEs, rather than transactional supplier relationships, will result in the development of new capabilities which can be taken to market.

Commitment to UK Defence Innovation

As part of our broader commitment to strengthening the UK’s defence ecosystem, we have long championed SME engagement. The SME Collaboration Partner Programme represents a step change in how industry leaders work with SMEs – fostering deeper, outcome-driven collaboration that accelerates technology commercialisation while delivering credible, battle-ready capabilities for the UK armed forces.