European Defence: Lakestar’s €262.2 Million Resilience I Fund

European venture capital firm Lakestar has recently closed its Lakestar Resilience I fund at €262.2 million ($300 million), surpassing its targeted size due to overwhelming investor interest. This fund, specifically designed for dual-use and defense technology companies, is described as the largest institutional venture fund in Europe and has garnered support from private capital.

In addition to the fund closing, Lakestar also announced the addition of prominent figures such as Sir Nicholas Carter, General Volker Wieker, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Baroness Martha Lane Fox to its advisory board. Dr. Klaus Hommels, the founder and chairperson of Lakestar, emphasized the importance of sovereign technology capital in Europe’s defense and dual-use sectors, stating that “Freedom does not come for free.”

Founded in 2012 by Dr. Hommels, Lakestar is a leading pan-European venture capital firm with over €5.2 billion ($6 billion) in assets under management. The firm’s investment platform spans institutional venture capital funds and personal investments across various stages and geographies, supporting companies from early-stage venture funding to growth.

Lakestar’s diverse portfolio includes well-known companies such as Airbnb, Isar Aerospace, Helsing, Spotify, Klarna, Revolut, SumUp, Coinbase, and Neko Health. Recently, Neko Health, a Stockholm-based HealthTech company, announced the completion of its €612.7 million ($700 million) Series C funding round, with participation from Lakestar.

Lakestar Resilience focuses on investing in companies that develop technologies to enhance Europe’s security and strategic capabilities. Dr. Hommels highlighted the firm’s commitment to supporting founders in solving challenging problems in critical technologies.

Ninja Struye de Swielande, Partner and Chief Communication Officer at Lakestar, expressed pride in contributing to the success of Resilience I fund and emphasized the importance of long-term thinking, sustained investment, and strong technology champions in strengthening European resilience. She noted the depth of conviction among investors regarding the need for European security and the critical role of technology in achieving this goal.

The announcements made by Lakestar reflect its dedication to supporting innovative companies and advancing Europe’s capabilities in essential sectors. With a focus on long-term partnerships and founder-centric investments, Lakestar continues to play a significant role in the European venture capital landscape.