Venture Capital Fuels the Rise of European Defence Tech Start-Ups

The European defence technology sector has entered a phase of rapid expansion, marked by the surge of start-ups that are reshaping the continent’s security and industrial landscape. The war in Ukraine, coupled with uncertainty over the long-term reliability of U.S. guarantees, has acted as a catalyst for private investment. Companies once marginal in the eyes of venture capital funds are now attracting unprecedented financing, positioning themselves as central players in the new European defence ecosystem. This shift reflects not only a reaction to immediate geopolitical crises but also a structural transformation in how Europe perceives its technological and strategic autonomy.