On Friday 12 January the Defence Equity Facility has been launched. The European Commission and the European Investment Fund join forces to boost investment in defence innovation through the Defence Equity Facility.
- The EIF will provide €175 million equity to venture capital and private equity funds investing in European companies developing innovative technologies with dual-use potential.
- The Defence Equity Facility will catalyse additional private investments in the funds supported by the EIF with the aim of mobilising c. €500 million in support of European companies.
- The Defence Equity Facility will improve access to finance for innovative SMEs and mid-caps, including start-ups, who can contribute to EU’s defence and security.
- The initiative, implemented under InvestEU, is funded by the European Investment Fund and the European Defence Fund. It is a key pillar of the EU Defence Innovation Scheme.
More information can be found at the EUDIS website [eudis.europa.eu] and in the press release [defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu]. The results of the study “Access to equity financing for European defence SMEs” have been published as well. The key takeaways and a link to the full report can be found on the Commission website [defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu].