Post by AVP

Today, together with Earlybird Venture Capital, we're announcing E2D, a €500 million European dual-use and defence technology growth fund, one of the most significant Franco-German collaborations in the European tech ecosystem. European defence is at a historic turning point. France has committed €76bn to defence, Germany €152bn, and the EU has outlined an €800bn European defence plan, the largest structural shift in European security spending in a generation. Yet European defence and dual-use companies have historically been forced to look to US investors to scale, leaving capital, talent and IP outside the continent. This fund is designed to change that. It will take a growth-stage approach, backing businesses with modern operating models and clear mission focus across space, air, land, maritime and subsurface domains. AVP and Earlybird bring complementary strengths to the fund: AVP's transatlantic investment platform and growth-stage expertise, and Earlybird's long-standing track record in European deep tech. "The best European defence companies need investors who bring real sector conviction and pan-European reach; that's exactly what this partnership delivers," said Benoit Fosseprez, General Partner, AVP. More to come, watch this space 👀