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Lockheed Martin expands venture capital fund to $1 billion to accelerate development of national security technologies - Defence Industry Europe

Reported by Defence-industry ·Pulse2 ·Citybiz
Apr 14, 2026· 2 min read
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Key Takeaways
  • • Lockheed Martin has expanded its venture capital fund, Lockheed Martin Ventures, from $400 million to $1 billion—a 250% increase and the largest boost since the fund's establishment in 2007.
  • • The expanded fund will accelerate development and deployment of critical defense technologies including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, autonomy, directed energy, advanced materials, and microelectronics across the defense industrial base.
  • • Since inception, Lockheed Martin Ventures has deployed over $500 million across 120+ companies, with more than 60 portfolio companies becoming Lockheed Martin suppliers and collectively securing over $750 million in contracts.
  • • The capital increase is intended to strengthen defense supply chain resilience and create a pipeline of emerging technologies that transition from research and development into operational capabilities for national security.
  • • CFO Evan Scott stated the venture investments are "critical" to developing technologies that enhance threat deterrence and create a resilient industrial base for the United States and its allies.
Summary
Lockheed Martin announced on April 14, 2026, that it is increasing the capacity of Lockheed Martin Ventures from $400 million to $1 billion, representing a 250% expansion and the largest capital boost since the fund's inception in 2007. The announcement reflects the defense contractor's strategic commitment to accelerating the development and deployment of critical national security technologies through early-stage and growth-stage company investments.

The expanded fund will focus on maturing promising technologies across multiple domains including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, autonomy, directed energy, advanced materials, and microelectronics. According to Evan Scott, Chief Financial Officer of Lockheed Martin, the venture investments represent "a critical part of our overall strategy to develop and integrate the best technologies for national security now and in the future." Scott emphasized that these investments help create a pipeline of cutting-edge capabilities while strengthening supply chain resilience and driving growth.

Lockheed Martin Ventures has demonstrated a track record of successful investments over its nearly two-decade operating history. The fund has deployed more than $500 million across more than 120 companies since its launch. Notably, over 60 of these portfolio companies have become suppliers to Lockheed Martin, collectively securing more than $750 million in defense contracts. The firm has added 25 companies to its portfolio over the past two years, indicating accelerating investment activity.

The capital expansion is positioned as a supply chain strengthening initiative that bridges emerging research with operational defense capabilities. As technologies transition from R&D into the Defense Industrial Base, Lockheed Martin expects improved mission efficiency, greater cost effectiveness, and enhanced threat deterrence for the United States and its allies. The phased deployment of the additional $600 million capital increase will allow the defense contractor to systematically mature and integrate breakthrough technologies into its broader national security portfolio.

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Sources

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AlphaMaven summarised this story from the reporting below. Each link opens the original article.

Defence-industry Lockheed Martin expands venture capital fund to $1 billion to accelerate development of national security technologies - Defence Industry Europe Pulse2 Lockheed Martin: Venture Capital Fund Expanded To $1 Billion To Accelerate National Security Technologies Citybiz Lockheed Martin Upsizes Venture Fund to $1B to Push National Security Technologies