# Defense Innovation Unit **Entity class:** Department of Defense organization **Aliases:** DIU **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition The **Defense Innovation Unit** identifies and contracts commercial technology for Department of Defense operational needs, emphasizing rapid prototyping and transition. ## Relationships - **part of:** Department of Defense. - **Austin ecosystem:** [[wiki/Capital Factory|Capital Factory]]. - **peer pathways:** [[wiki/AFWERX|AFWERX]] and Army modernization. ## Sources / Provenance - [Defense Innovation Unit — official site](https://www.diu.mil/)