ABN AMRO announces EUR 10m commitment to Keen Venture Partners’ European Defence and Security Tech Fund
- This investment is ABN AMRO’s first investment in a dedicated European defence fund
- The Fund targets early-stage companies across the EU, focusing on information superiority, cyber defence, space, autonomy and robotics among others
- This investment aligns with the ABN AMRO's strategy to strengthen European security and defence amid geopolitical challenges
In light of increased international tension and conflicts, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and recent pressure on the Atlantic alliance, Europe has been forced to reassess its military defence strategy and expenditure. ABN AMRO has stepped up its support to the security and defence industry in 2025, widening the scope of defence and security projects eligible for banking products, while closely keeping track of emerging defence technologies.
Keen’s European Defence and Security Tech Fund, with a focus on early-stage companies within the defence and security technology sector, aims to support companies that are provide ‘dual use’ solutions in areas such as information superiority, cyber defence, robotics, AI, autonomous systems and space technologies such as securing satellite communications, satellite image analysis, and defence of space assets. The fund’s investments will be pan-European, with exposure to the United Kingdom, Turkey and Norway.
Dan Dorner, ABN AMRO’s Chief Commercial Officer Corporate Banking said: “ABN AMRO today announces a pioneering effort to enhance the availability of capital for defence-focused ventures in Europe, with a €10 million commitment to Keen’s European Defence and Security Tech Fund. Our commitment aligns with ABN AMRO’s Corporate Banking support to the European defence industry.”
Alexander Ribbink and Giuseppe Lacerenza, Partners at Keen Venture Partners: ‘The team at Keen has a long commitment to and investments in defence and defence technology. The opportunity to add the power of tech entrepreneurs with the full support of venture capital to the European defence ecosystem is huge. A stronger and safer Europe needs the resourcefulness and grit that only entrepreneurs can bring. We are proud to be at the forefront of this trend, and to be supported by ABN AMRO’.
More information:
Keen Venture Partners is a radically human venture capital firm based in Amsterdam and London. Keen backs exceptional teams and fast-growing European tech companies from seed to Series B. Keen has built strong expertise in defence and deep tech, supported by an advisory board of European military leaders, industry veterans, and policymakers. The firm invests through a thesis-driven approach, formulating investment ideas based on fundamental trends in specific areas of technology. When getting to know founders, Keen shares its network of operators, experience, and capabilities even before investing. The portfolio consists of 30+ startups and scaleups across Europe. You can find more information at: www.keenventurepartners.com.
ABN AMRO Corporate Investments offers ABN AMRO clients an opportunity to help accelerate the transition to a resilient and sustainable society through a comprehensive array of capital products. These include amongst others fund investments & co-investments, direct investments through the Sustainable Impact Fund (one of the largest private impact funds in the Netherlands), hybrid debt and sub-ordinated debt.