The only fund built for the Alliance
Who the NIF is
The venture capital firm built for the Alliance
The NATO Innovation Fund is a standalone VC firm, launched by NATO, backed by 24 NATO Allied nations, with €1 billion in assets under management. We invest in deep tech companies addressing the most critical needs in defence, security and resilience — with a focus on seed stage to Series B.
Why the NIF exists
The capability needs are real. And growing
We need proven and scalable breakthrough deep tech solutions to maintain NATO’s technological edge. Development cycles run 7–10 years. Procurement moves slower. Commercial venture capital has historically avoided the complexity of defence markets. The result: a widening gap between the technologies that Allies need and the capabilities that they actually have access to.
The NIF was created to close that gap. With the capital, the access, and the mandate to champion promising technologies, build capacity across NATO nations, and deliver competitive financial returns.
Defence
The military capacity to deter and defend against any threat of aggression against NATO nations. Needs are concrete, capability gaps are known — but the technologies to close them are not fixed, evolving as fast as the threat itself.
Security
Protection against hybrid warfare and grey-zone threats: cyber, space, terrorism, organised crime, and border integrity.
Resilience
Our societies need to keep running, regardless of external shocks — energy, communications, food and water, transport, finance, and government continuity are the backbone that underpin daily life.
Our portfolio companies
How NIF invests
How we invest
We champion technologies and funds that advance Allied DSR priorities, build capacity across LP regions, and deliver competitive financial returns.
Direct Investment
We invest directly into deep tech, dual-use companies from seed to Series B. Initial tickets of 3 to 15 million Euro, with reserves to follow on as companies scale.
Fund of Funds
We back specialist funds across Allied nations, extending our reach into national DSR ecosystems and crowding capital alongside experienced local investors.
How NIF works
More than capital providers
Investment is only the beginning. We help our portfolio companies translate breakthrough innovations into real-world deployment.
Impact
Force Multiplier
We build bridges between the technologies we back and the governments and industries that need them, at speed and at scale. We help portfolio companies move from prototype to real-world deployment, connecting them with defence ministries, procurement agencies, and Allied end-users. To accelerate the pace of adoption, we also help inform reforms in procurement, policy, and commercial frameworks.
Secure and Responsible
We protect every technology we back, by helping companies screen for threats and guard against adversarial interference throughout the investment lifecycle. We also guide portfolio companies on the sustainable, secure, and ethical deployment of dual-use technologies, so the capabilities we help create can be trusted by the governments, militaries, and citizens they are built to serve.
Long-Term Conviction
As a 15-year fund, we provide the patient capital and long-term support that hard problems require. This means supporting portfolio companies with their needs across brand visibility, legal guidance, HR support, and more.
Geography
Built Across the Alliance – 24 nations. One mandate
The NIF is backed by 24 Allied nations. Our portfolio companies gain direct access to defence ministries, NATO commands, and procurement ecosystems across all participating nations.
Participating NATO Allies
Belgium; Bulgaria; Czechia; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Italy; Latvia; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; Slovakia; Spain; Sweden; Türkiye; United Kingdom
Regional Offices
London; Warsaw
NIF Headquarters
Amsterdam
NIF Domiciliation
Luxembourg
Leadership
The people behind the mandate
The NIF’s leadership team brings together venture capital experience and deep knowledge of Allied defence, security and resilience ecosystems.
FAQ
Questions? We’re glad you asked
Is the NIF a NATO body?
The NIF is a standalone venture capital firm, established by NATO and backed by 24 Allied nations. It operates independently from NATO structures, with its own investment decision-making, governance, and capital.
Can any company apply for funding?
We invest in and champion deep tech, dual-use companies, advancing the defence, security and resilience across the 24 Allied nations backing us. We focus seed stage to Series B. If your technology addresses a real capability need for Allied nations, we want to hear from you.
What is the difference between direct investment and Fund of Funds?
Direct investments go into individual companies. Through our Fund of Funds programme, we back specialist investors who extend the NIF’s reach into national ecosystems across Allied nations.
How are you related to DIANA?
DIANA is a NATO accelerator, and DIANA employees are NATO employees. They run a competitive global accelerator program, support founders through education and access to scientific testbeds, and issue nondilutive grants.
The NIF is a venture capital firm, investing independently, serving on boards, and providing equity funding. We do not issue government grants or run applications for programs.
The NIF and DIANA were both launched as part of NATO 2030 and retain a unique tie to multi-sovereign governments stakeholders who are exceptionally supportive of our mission.