NATO-INNOVATION-FUND
The European Investment Fund (EIF) and the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate in supporting the long-term growth of the defence, security, and resilience sectors across Europe. The EIF is part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and the NIF is a standalone venture-capital fund backed by 24 NATO countries.
The MoU aims to encourage more private-capital funds to become active investors in technology sectors associated with defence and security, enabling EU companies to raise equity funding from a broader range of sources. The partnership reflects the shared interest of the NIF and EIF in establishing a framework to support start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and midcaps, as well as in enhancing the whole ecosystem by involving all the main stakeholders.
"By facilitating regular dialogue and knowledge sharing, the EIF and NIF will ensure a cohesive approach to strengthening the investment ecosystem for defence, security and resilience,” said Marjut Falkstedt, chief executive of the EIF. “This will benefit SMEs, midcaps, and the broader European innovation landscape."
The MoU also outlines plans for EIF-NIF cooperation on ad-hoc activities to share knowledge and raise awareness about the potential of investments in defence and security. This will help foster a comprehensive investment ecosystem, ensure effective outreach to private-capital funds, support companies in their investment plans and raise awareness of the investment opportunities in the defence, security, and resilience sectors among limited partners.
The collaboration with the NIF also is in line with the EIB Group's Security and Defence Action Plan, which is expected to support the effort primarily through the EIB's venture-debt product designed to address the funding needs of innovative companies, and which may complement EIF and NIF venture capital and private-equity funding in some cases. The signatories will also exchange information with the European Commission in areas where its potential involvement may prove beneficial for the purposes of the MoU.
“There is great momentum in deep tech that is propelling innovations to help strengthen European defence, security and resilience,” said Andrea Traversone, Managing Partner, NATO Innovation Fund. “We are excited to be collaborating with the EIF, the EIB Group and the Commission to unlock investment opportunities for European businesses, advance capacity building for dual-use innovation, and share best practices across investors, innovators and government.”
The collaboration between EIF and NIF will also focus on the design of new financial products to cater for companies’ needs. The strategic alliance between the EIF and NIF represents a significant step forward in strengthening Europe's defence and security capabilities, unlocking new avenues for private investment, and driving innovation in these vital sectors.
About the European Investment Bank and European Investment Fund:
The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group is the financing arm of the European Union, owned by its member states. It supports sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives.
Financing for Europe’s security and defence industry is among the EIB Group’s strategic priorities. We provide a comprehensive range of financial support and solutions designed to meet the demands of companies and public sector entities in the security and defence sector, regardless of their size. From reconnaissance and surveillance, spectrum protection and control, to cybersecurity solutions, infrastructure and military mobility, our financing solutions are designed to bolster projects that keep Europe safe, resilient, and innovative.
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank Group. Its central mission is to support Europe's micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by helping them to access finance. The EIF designs and develops venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, the EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.
About the NATO Innovation Fund:
The NATO Innovation Fund is a venture capital fund, backed by 24 NATO Allies, that deploys more than €1 billion in deep tech to address challenges in defence, security, and resilience. The fund invests independently, with 24 nations supporting its portfolio’s success and helping provide deep tech entrepreneurs with access to both commercial and government markets.
Participating NATO Allies are: Belgium; Bulgaria; Czechia; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Spain; Sweden; Türkiye; United Kingdom
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240702326925/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Axelspace Signs MoU with Ethiopian Company to Address Social Challenges through the Utilization of Satellite Data15.1.2026 07:30:00 CET | Press release
Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), a leading developer and operator of microsatellites dedicated to realizing its vision of “Space within Your Reach,” has made a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jethi Software Development PLC (“Jethi”), an Ethiopian technology company, to cooperate on addressing social and development challenges through the utilization of satellite-based Earth observation (EO) data. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114413353/en/ Naol Debele, Chief Executive Officer of Jethi (left), and Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace, at the signing ceremony on January 13 in Ethiopia The MoU was signed by Naol Debele, Chief Executive Officer of Jethi, and Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace. The signing ceremony, held in Ethiopia on January 13 (local time), was attended by representatives of the Space Science and Geospatial Institute (SSGI) of Ethiopia, members of the Jethi Bo
Samsung Epis Holdings Delivers Business Updates at the 44th J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference15.1.2026 01:40:00 CET | Press release
Samsung Bioepis plans to secure 20 biosimilars in its products and pipeline by 2030The new pipeline will include dupilumab, guselkumab, ixekizumab, fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki, vedolizumab, and ocrelizumab, in addition to pembrolizumab currently in Phase 1 and 3 clinical studiesHaving secured investigational new drug application (IND) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), SBE303, Samsung Bioepis’ novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) engineered to target Nectin-4, will enter into the Phase 1 first-in-human clinical trial this yearSamsung Bioepis plans to add one novel therapeutic candidate in clinical study every year Samsung Epis Holdings (KRX: 0126Z0) today shared corporate progress and updates at the 44th J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114206458/en/ Kyung-Ah Kim, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Samsung Epis Holdings "2026 is a mon
Most Delivered Light-Entry Jet Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 With Garmin Autothrottles Enters Into Service, Bringing Greater Control and Precision to Pilots14.1.2026 20:30:00 CET | Press release
The Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 with Garmin Autothrottles recently entered into service. Certified by the Federal Aviation Administration in October 2025, the integration of Garmin’s Autothrottle system in the Citation M2 Gen2 further supports the most delivered light-entry jet’s capabilities by bringing greater control and precision to pilots. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114646844/en/ Most delivered light-entry jet Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 with Garmin Autothrottles enters into service, bringing greater control and precision to pilots (Photo Credit: Textron Aviation). The Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company. “We continue to invest in our products to provide customers with the best aviation experience in the world," said Lannie O’Bannion, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing. “The M2 Gen2 leads its segment as the most delivered
TwentyTwo Real Estate and Farallon Capital Complete €761 Million Investment in Isemia, a €1.2bn Healthcare Real Estate Company Created With emeis14.1.2026 18:30:00 CET | Press release
TwentyTwo Real Estate, an independent European real estate investment and management firm, announces the completion, alongside Farallon Capital, of a €761 million investment that led to the creation of Isemia (www.isemiabyemeis.com), a leading healthcare real estate company holding a €1.2 billion portfolio of assets operated by emeis. The transaction represents a significant milestone in TwentyTwo Real Estate’s long-term investment strategy focused on healthcare and operational living real estate. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260114262830/en/ Fachklinik Schömberg Isemia comprises 68 high-quality assets across France, Germany and Spain, with a balanced mix of nursing homes (48%) and clinics (52%). The portfolio benefits from strong fundamentals and resilient operating performance. All properties will continue to be operated by emeis under long-term lease agreements, ensuring continuity of care for residents
AI’s Water Demand to Surge Nearly 130% by 2050 – New Research Shows How to Build a Water-Secure AI Economy14.1.2026 16:00:00 CET | Press release
Analysis finds AI could add 30 trillion liters of annual water demand, but targeted reuse and digital infrastructure investments can substantially offset demand and protect communities The rapid global expansion of artificial intelligence is set to drive a 129% increase in water demand across the AI value chain by 2050, according to new research by Xylem (NYSE: XYL) and Global Water Intelligence (GWI). Watering the New Economy: Managing the Impacts of the AI Revolution provides the most comprehensive assessment to date of how AI is reshaping global water use. It also highlights practical ways to meet that demand while strengthening water security for communities. Spending on AI is forecast to approach $2 trillion in 2026,1 accelerating infrastructure build-out worldwide. By the middle of the century, this expansion is projected to add 30 trillion liters of water demand, annually, fueled by a surge in power generation (~54% of the increase), semiconductor fabrication (~42%), and data ce
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom