The NATO Innovation Fund was established last year and is the first multi-sovereign fund in the world. It is backed by 24 out of the 32 member states of the alliance. It has restrictions against investing directly in weapons technology, but it invests in emerging technology that the alliance hopes to strengthen its defense and resistance in the future.
The fund will leverage its connections within the alliance in order to support their investments. O’Connor stated that early stage companies were often overwhelmed and had no idea how to work with [government and defence] organizations. “We are uniquely positioned to assist our portfolio companies by fostering growth and establishing partnerships between commercial and government organisations.”
A NATO official stated last year that NIF would also work to ensure that Western deep tech startup companies are able grow without needing to look to Beijing as a source of funding. He noted that startups were forced to look elsewhere due to the lack European venture capital. Kelly Chen, a fund partner, said that when European deep tech startups reach the growth stage, they are owned by more than half of their owners. “That’s a dynamic we’re fighting.”
Giedrimas Jeglinskas is a former NATO assistant secretary general. He told Semafor the success of the fund will be determined by its ability to “find its way into the defence capabilities of allies.” Jeglinskas added that “it is on track to achieve that.”