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MIKES

NATO · 24 NATO Allies (standalone venture capital fund)

NATO Innovation Fund (NIF)

EquityDeep techDefenceSecurityDual-useAIAutonomy & RoboticsQuantumSpaceEnergy ResilienceManufacturing & Supply ChainDefence MedicalDual-use
Official programme
Envelope
EUR 1 billion+
Ticket size
Initial investments up to EUR 15 million, Seed through Series B, typically leading rounds with reserves for follow-on

About the programme

A standalone venture capital fund backed by 24 NATO Allies with more than EUR 1 billion to deploy over a 15-year horizon. It invests directly in deep-tech startups across nine verticals including AI, autonomy, quantum, space, energy, materials, biotechnology and data/computing, and also backs aligned venture funds through a fund-of-funds programme. Initial tickets run up to EUR 15 million from Seed through Series B, with the fund typically leading rounds and reserving heavily for follow-ons.

Why it matters

The only sovereign-backed VC dedicated to Alliance defence, security and resilience: patient capital comfortable with defence sales cycles, and a cheque that signals credibility to ministries and co-investors.

Calls & cycles

1
Direct investments and fund-of-funds programmeRolling

Continuously open

No formal call cycle. Companies submit an investor presentation and short summary or come in via warm introduction.

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