ABN AMRO invests EUR 10 million in Keen Venture Partners

• This is ABN AMRO’s first investment in a dedicated European defence fund.

• The fund targets early-stage companies across Europe, focusing on information superiority, cyber-defence, space, autonomy and robotics.

• This investment aligns with ABN AMRO's strategy to finance European security, defence and societal resilience.

ABN AMRO today announced a EUR 10 million commitment to Keen Venture Partners’ European Defence and Security Tech Fund. This is ABN AMRO’s first investment in a dedicated European defence fund. ABN AMRO supports the security and defence industry, while keeping close 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 provide ‘dual use’ products. These are goods, software and technology that can be utilised for both civilian and military applications. It concerns 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 will target early-stage companies across Europe, like United Kingdom and Norway.

Support for innovation

Dan Dorner, ABN AMRO’s Chief Commercial Officer Corporate Banking: “ABN AMRO today announced a pioneering effort to enhance the availability of capital for defence-focused ventures in Europe. With this investment we support early-stage companies within the defence and security technology sector. This commitment aligns with ABN AMRO Corporate Banking’s support to the European sovereignty and defence industry. As a bank, we have noticed an increase in applications for financing as a result. We are open for business where we follow the UN guidelines and our human rights policy.”

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. 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 fund investments & co-investments, direct investments through the Sustainable Impact Fund, hybrid debt and sub-ordinated debt.