Lockheed Martin Ventures Pours $100 Million Into European Defense Tech

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-17

American venture capital firm Lockheed Martin Ventures is making a big push into Europe, committing to invest at least $100 million from its $1 billion fund in promising defense technology (DefenseTech) startups across the continent. The firm is also opening a new office in London to get closer to the action. "We are reaching even deeper into the investing ecosystem, meeting our potential partners where they are," says Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. "Our presence will help us seize opportunities for investing earlier in the startup lifecycle, ensure technical interoperability with existing platforms, and better support our allied customers." ### Why Europe? Why Now? Lockheed Martin Ventures' European expansion comes at a time when the continent is seeing a surge in funding for DefenseTech, dual-use technologies, unmanned systems, and sovereign intelligence. According to EU-Startups, nine relevant companies have raised more than $1.24 billion combined, with a whopping $1.14 billion of that coming from Quantum Systems' Series D round. The remaining eight rounds accounted for about $98.5 million. UK-based companies like London's SatVu and Occam Industries, as well as Bristol's Uplift360, are part of this growing pipeline—making the United Kingdom a natural choice for Lockheed Martin's European headquarters. ### A Track Record of Success Founded in 2007 with an initial $100 million, Lockheed Martin Ventures has matured 60 companies into suppliers. To date, the firm has invested over $500 million in more than 120 companies, adding 25 new ones in the last two years alone. The fund got a massive boost in April when its investment capacity jumped from $400 million to $1 billion. Beyond capital, portfolio companies get access to Lockheed Martin's engineering talent, technologies, research, and full business and technical expertise. ### What This Means for Startups For European defense tech startups, this is a major vote of confidence. Lockheed Martin Ventures isn't just writing checks—it's offering a direct line to one of the world's largest defense contractors. The firm says it's looking for technologies that complement its national security capabilities and help solve current and future customer missions. "We expect our investment strategy to evolve as technologies emerge and the startup environment matures in markets where we do business around the world," adds Dan Tenney, senior vice president of Global Business Development and Strategy. ### Key Takeaways for Founders - **Early-stage opportunities:** Lockheed Martin Ventures wants to invest earlier in the startup lifecycle, so if you're a pre-revenue DefenseTech company, now might be the time to reach out. - **Transatlantic focus:** The firm aims to strengthen the defense industrial base between the U.S. and Europe, so startups that can bridge both markets have an edge. - **Beyond money:** Portfolio companies gain access to Lockheed Martin's vast resources, including top engineers and cutting-edge research facilities. Lockheed Martin Ventures has already invested in several European companies, though the full list is available on their website. With a London office and $100 million earmarked for the region, the message is clear: European defense tech is open for business.