Invest-NL invests € 10 million in European Defence and Security Fund

Invest-NL invests € 10 million in the European Defence & Security Tech Fund of Keen Venture Partners. The fund invests in European innovative companies that develop technology for both civilian and defense and security purposes. This contributes to a stronger European innovation ecosystem and greater strategic autonomy. The investment aligns with Invest-NL’s role as a National Promotional Institution and its strategic broadening in scope to contribute to a resilient society.

Investing in technology for defence and security

Europe faces a growing challenge to strengthen its security, technological position, and economic resilience. At the same time, European start-ups and scale-ups developing technology for defence and security often struggle to attract sufficient capital within Europe.

The European Defence & Security Tech Fund of Keen Venture Partners addresses this funding gap. The fund invests in early-stage companies developing technology with both civilian and defence & security applications. Think of applications in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, detection technology, robotics, and space exploration.

One of the few funds focused on defence and security technology

Keen Venture Partners is one of the few European investors specifically focusing on early-stage defence and security technology. The team combines experience in venture capital with expertise from the defence and technology sectors and is supported by an international advisory network of former policymakers, defence specialists, and technology experts.

With investments from, among others, the European Investment Fund (EIF), pension fund PME, a.s.r., ABN AMRO, TNO, and LIOF, the fund brings together a broad consortium of institutional and private investors. They share the urgency to strengthen the European ecosystem for defence and security technology.

Contributing to European eesilience

For Invest-NL, the investment fits within its role as a National Promotional Institution and the strategic broadening towards resilience and strategic autonomy. Invest-NL has already invested in dual-use technology and is now expanding this to applications for defence and security. In doing so, Invest-NL supports innovations that create both economic opportunities and contribute to the security of the Netherlands and Europe.

“Europe has strong technology companies, but funding for defence and security technology remains behind. Especially in the early phase, much innovation remains unexploited. With this investment, we help close that gap and contribute to building a European ecosystem where technology, security, and economic strength reinforce each other,” says Rinke Zonneveld.

Investing within clear frameworks

Invest-NL invests in defence and security within carefully considered frameworks. The European Defence & Security Tech Fund adheres to an ESG and human rights policy and has developed a specific due diligence framework for dual-use technology. Additionally, clear exclusion criteria apply, and ongoing supervision takes place through the fund’s governance structure and the involved institutional investors.

The fund targets investments in approximately 20 to 25 European technology companies, primarily in the Seed and Series A stages. Through this, it aims to support companies during a crucial growth phase and contribute to a stronger European ecosystem for innovation in defence and security.