Ploughshare Innovations

Ploughshare Innovations is the technology transfer organisation for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for turning ‘swords into ploughshares’, converting technology research created by government organisations into civilian applications. Ploughshare enables businesses to gain access to defence and security technology developed by leading government laboratories including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Home Office Centre for Applied Science and Technology (CAST – now part of Dstl), the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE plc), and others. === A Broad IP Portfolio === A wide range of patents, software, and know-how in the defence and security, biometrics, life sciences, and diagnostics domains are made available through Ploughshare for businesses to exploit. Applications of the technologies vary and typically contribute back to the defence and security industries or find novel new commercial uses. Ploughshare has helped a number of organisations to improve their market position and gain commercial advantage including Thales, Ordnance Survey, BBI Detection, L3 ASV, NP Aerospace, Riskaware and Foster+Freeman. === History === Ploughshare Innovations was established in 2005 to commercialise and increase the impact of intellectual property generated from research at Dstl. Since its creation, Ploughshare has commercialised 126 technologies and launched thirteen spin-out companies, principally for civilian applications. Its license agreements have resulted in the creation of more than 580 jobs, generated £222 million worth of exports, and attracted £140 million of investment. Ploughshare Innovations Ltd is wholly-owned by the UK Secretary of State for Defence.