Dealroom and NATO Innovation Fund: European Defence, Security & Resilience Startups Smash Record with $8.7B Raised in 2025
An exclusive new report by Dealroom and the NATO Innovation Fund shows that European DSR (Defence, Security and Resilience) startups secured a record $8.7 billion in venture capital in 2025. The surge was fuelled by late-stage mega-rounds to support breakthrough technologies that help address critical capabilities for NATO nations – from freedom of operations & mobility, to awareness and decision making, and the security of critical technologies.
NATO Innovation Fund makes first investments to secure the future of the Alliance’s 1 billion citizens
The NATO Innovation Fund announced today its first deep tech investments to address challenges in defence, security and resilience. These initial equity investments made by the €1 billion Fund will help advance innovation in novel materials and manufacturing, AI and robotics. The Fund is also making investments to boost deep tech hubs in regions where capital for early-stage startups is in high demand to promote the Alliance’s technological sovereignty. To support the adoption of technologies in its portfolio, the NATO Innovation Fund works closely with Allied governments to provide its portfolio companies with access and insights into defence, wider government and commercial markets and opportunities.
