Lockheed Martin Ventures Drops $100M on European Defense Tech Startups

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-17

American venture capital firm Lockheed Martin Ventures is making a serious push into Europe, planning to invest at least $100 million of its $1 billion fund in promising DefenseTech companies 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? The move comes at a time when Europe's DefenseTech, dual-use, unmanned-systems, and sovereign-intelligence sectors are seeing a surge in funding. According to EU-Startups, nine relevant companies have raised over $1.24 billion combined. A massive chunk of that—$1.14 billion—came from Quantum Systems' Series D round alone. The other eight rounds together accounted for roughly $98.5 million. UK-based startups like London's SatVu and Occam Industries, along with Bristol's Uplift360, are already on the radar. The UK, where Lockheed Martin Ventures plans to set up its European office, is becoming a visible hub in this funding pipeline. ### What Lockheed Martin Ventures Brings to the Table Lockheed Martin Ventures was founded in 2007 with an initial $100 million. Since then, it has matured 60 companies into suppliers for Lockheed Martin. To date, the fund has invested over $500 million in more than 120 companies. Just in the last two years, 25 new companies joined the portfolio. But it's not just about the money. Portfolio companies get access to Lockheed Martin's engineering talent, cutting-edge technologies, research labs, and the full suite of business and technical expertise. That kind of support can be a game-changer for early-stage startups. ### The Bigger Picture: Strengthening the Transatlantic Defense Industrial Base "We are looking to invest in technologies that complement the company's national security capabilities and help advance solutions to meet current and future customer mission needs, while further strengthening the transatlantic defense industrial base," adds Dan Tenney, senior vice president of Global Business Development and Strategy. "We expect our investment strategy to evolve as technologies emerge and the startup environment matures in markets where we do business around the world." The focus on European innovation follows the largest boost in available capital in the fund's history. In April, Lockheed Martin announced it would increase investment capacity from $400 million to $1 billion. That's a 150% jump. ### What This Means for European Startups For European DefenseTech founders, this is a massive vote of confidence. Lockheed Martin Ventures is not just writing checks—it's planting a flag. The London office will allow the firm to scout deals earlier, build relationships, and provide hands-on support. Here's a quick list of what European startups can expect: - Access to a $1 billion fund with a dedicated European allocation - Direct connection to Lockheed Martin's engineering and R&D resources - Potential pathway to becoming a supplier for one of the world's largest defense contractors - Strategic guidance from a team that has matured 60 companies into suppliers The firm says it has already invested in a number of European companies. While the full list isn't disclosed here, it's clear that Lockheed Martin Ventures is serious about building a transatlantic bridge for defense innovation. ### Final Thoughts Lockheed Martin Ventures' expansion into Europe is a signal that the DefenseTech ecosystem is maturing fast. With $100 million earmarked for European and UK startups, and a new office in London, the firm is positioning itself to be a key player in the region's defense innovation landscape. For startups working on dual-use technologies, unmanned systems, or sovereign intelligence, this could be the opportunity of a lifetime.