UK's largest defence company making landmark investment to back European start-ups

BAE Systems will be committing €50 million to venture capital (VC) funds focused on backing European defence-tech start-ups.

The investments will expand on the Company’s longstanding approach to investing in future technology and forms the second stage of its recently announced Launchpad programme, which aims to accelerate disruptive innovation.

A sum of €25 million will be invested into two funds headed up by Expeditions and Lakestar who are both working to help shape the future of European defence innovation by backing founders and technologies aiming to deliver next generation capability for allies across the continent.

Dave Ewing, Head of Technology Commercialisation, BAE Systems, said: “As a large defence company, we’ve always valued the capability and ingenuity that early-stage founders can bring to the table and these latest investments show that we’re serious about supporting them as they look to play their part in delivering the technologies of tomorrow.

“Building on our long-standing investment in innovation, we recently set up Launchpad as a win-win, aiming to spin out some of our own defence technologies to commercial markets while also backing start-ups who can bring something new to defence. This latest step means we’re full steam ahead on making that a reality.”

Klaus Hommels, Founder and Chairman of Lakestar, said: “Europe is at a pivotal moment in redefining its security and technological sovereignty and supporting the next generation of defence-tech founders will be critical to that effort.

“BAE Systems’ investment is significant as it brings together capital, deep sector expertise and access to markets to accelerate the development and deployment of the capabilities Europe needs to remain secure in an increasingly complex world.”

Dr Mikolaj Firlej, Co-Founder and General Partner of Expeditions, said: "European defence-tech can drive the most transformative shift for our continent in a generation and Expeditions has been investing with this conviction for years. Our security can no longer be assumed; it has to be built. Its architects will be the founders deploying innovative products at scale, in weeks and months rather than years, drawing on lessons from the frontline.

“We are grateful to partner with BAE Systems in this endeavour. Our combined force, equipped with greater resources, will invest with the discipline and urgency our security demands."

Launchpad aims to address the challenge of moving defence technologies beyond prototype development by funding early-stage ventures or spinning them out into independent start-up businesses. This aligns with key priorities across Europe, including the UK, which in its Defence Industrial Strategy outlined the need for “constant innovation at wartime pace” and called for more successful spinouts from UK-developed technologies. 

The programme is designed to leverage BAE Systems’ position as a technology innovator to support national priorities, including rapid technology incubation, sovereign capability and economic growth. It also provides start-ups with access to customers across a broader range of sectors, like energy and advanced manufacturing.

Moving forwards the ambition of Launchpad is to continue growing in line with the Company’s business priorities, supporting new start-ups and accelerating new technology development.