On Thursday, July 16, 2026, U.S. company Lockheed Martin announced that it was expanding the activities of its venture capital fund to support promising defense technologies in the UK and European markets. Lockheed Martin Ventures, the corporation’s investment arm specializing in startup financing, manages 1 billion USD in capital. It is opening an office in London and plans to invest at least 100 million USD in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Photo: Lockheed Martin
„We are reaching even deeper into the investing ecosystem, meeting our potential partners where they are,” said Chris Moran, vice president and general manager, 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.”
The decision follows the largest increase in available capital in the fund’s history. On April 14 this year, the company announced that it was raising its investment capacity from 400 million USD to 1 billion USD. Using part of this funding, Lockheed Martin Ventures Europe will accelerate the adoption of new technologies across the defense sector. The move forms part of the company’s broader commitment to 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,” said 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.”
Why it matters
- Lockheed Martin Ventures’ decision comes amid rapid growth in venture capital investment, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe.
- European customers are increasingly seeking to develop their own sovereign capabilities. As the world’s largest aerospace, defense, and space company, Lockheed Martin is uniquely positioned to help accelerate this process.
- The investments will strengthen the defense industrial base and improve supply-chain resilience, generating economic benefits for both the United States and its allies.
- Lockheed Martin Ventures has already invested in a number of promising European companies, with additional transactions currently being finalized.
Facts and figures
- Lockheed Martin Ventures is one of the most active and longest-established corporate venture capital funds in the U.S. aerospace, defense, and space sector. Since its inception, the fund has helped 60 companies grow to a level that enabled them to join Lockheed Martin’s supplier base.
- The fund was established in 2007 with an initial capital commitment of 100 million USD.
- To date, it has invested more than 500 million USD in over 120 companies, including businesses operating in European markets.
- Over the past two years, 25 new companies have been added to its investment portfolio.
Companies interested in working with Lockheed Martin Ventures can obtain further information by contacting the team through its website.
.@LockheedMartin Ventures commits an initial $100 million to defense tech investments in Europe and the U.K., which will help further strengthen the transatlantic industrial base and enhance interoperability. Read more:
— Lockheed Martin News (@LMNews) July 16, 2026