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Australian defence technology ventures Breaker Industries, Extag, Advent Atum, Ghost Fire Systems and Seitec have successfully completed the Defence Trailblazer advanced commercialisation program to accelerate sovereign defence capabilities.
The Defence Trailblazer High Growth Incubation (HGI) program is the final stage of the Defence Trailblazer’s 18-month commercialisation pathway, DINAMIC.
Throughout the DINAMIC pathway, participants have access to more than 120 experts that provide in-kind support. Each company is advised by a minimum of five experts throughout their journey to high growth incubation.
“We were very pleased to have such an outstanding group of founders participate in the program,” Defence Trailblazer Entrepreneurship program manager Paul Daly said.
“It culminated in tailored one-on-one meetings with receptive investors in Sydney.
“We will follow the progress of these exciting ventures with great anticipation and will continue to assist them.”
The HGI program supports ventures with products at advanced levels of technical development. HGI provides founders with deep insights, teaching them the skills needed to lead and manage a high growth enterprise.
All participants benefit from weekly access to two highly experienced coaches to help them plan for the stages of business growth ahead.
Seitec chief executive officer Daniel Stevens, who leads 12 employees in developing exciting seismic sensor technology for military and civilian applications, said the HGI program has been instrumental in helping plan for rapid growth in the defence market.
“The Defence Trailblazer team should be proud of the program they have developed and run,” Stevens said.
“Seitec has extracted an exceptional amount of value from the program, which will aid in the company’s approach to investment and scaling.”
Defence Trailblazer provides each of the ventures with up to $150,000 in grant funding to implement their high growth strategies.
Ventures are also provided with the opportunity to pitch to Defence Trailblazer’s investor network.
Ghost Fire Systems, a start-up that develops and manufactures electronic battlefield simulators, has also benefited from the support and guidance of Defence Trailblazer.
Selection for HGI is highly competitive, with the cohort chosen from ventures that have successfully completed earlier phases of DINAMIC.
“My journey wouldn’t have been possible without the Defence Trailblazer team,” Ghost Fire Systems co-founder Brett Harrex said.
“Today, we have manufactured our first eight prototypes and conducted two Defence trials; we travelled to the US to showcase with Team Defence Australia at Special Operations Forces Week 2025; and we’re starting the R&D for several more products.”
To ensure that there are strong prospects for defence procurement, Defence personnel are actively engaged in the selection process.
