NATO Innovation Fund Awards First Round of Funding

A consortium of NATO allies has confirmed the first group of companies to receive funding from the alliance’s one billion euro ($1.1 billion) innovation fund.

Launch and Purpose of the Fund

NATO launched this fund in the summer of 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The fund aims to invest in technologies that will strengthen NATO’s defence capabilities. The fund is supported by 24 out of NATO’s 32 member states, including recent members Finland and Sweden.

Initial Investments

On Tuesday, the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) announced its first investments in four European technology companies. These companies will help address challenges in defence, security, and resilience.

• Fractile AI: This London-based company is developing computer chips to make large language models, such as those powering ChatGPT, operate faster.
• ARX Robotics: A German company designing unmanned robots for tasks ranging from heavy-lifting to surveillance.
• iCOMAT: A British manufacturer creating lighter materials for vehicles.
• Space Forge: A Welsh company building semiconductors in-orbit by leveraging space conditions like microgravity and vacuum.

Strategic Importance

“Enabling access to strategic technologies is key to securing a safe and prosperous future for the alliance’s one billion citizens,” said Andrea Traversone, the fund’s managing partner.

Partnerships with Venture Capital Firms

To further support deep tech investments in Europe, the fund has partnered with venture capital firms including Alpine Space Ventures, OTB Ventures, Join Capital, and Vsquared Ventures.