EBAN Launches Space and Defence Community

EBAN proudly announces the launch of its Space and Defence Community, an initiative aimed at bringing together experienced investors and entrepreneurs from two of the most dynamic and innovative tech sectors. The new community, building on the excellent and ground-breaking work of its predecessor, EBAN Space, was created on November 27th 2024. The community is set to promote, mentor, and invest in early-stage companies at the forefront of Space and Defence technologies, while simultaneously raising awareness of the entrepreneurial innovation and investment opportunities within these sectors.

In recent years, private sector investment and activity in traditionally public domains such as Space and Defence have surged. EBAN’s Space and Defence Community seeks to lead these developments by acting as a bridge between public and private entities, addressing procurement, acceleration, and investment challenges. This pan-European initiative also aims to enhance cross-border collaboration by partnering with European institutions such as the European Commission, the EIB and EIF, the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Union Space Program Agency (EUSPA), NATO, national innovation centres, as well as their international counterparts and United Nation bodies such as UNOOSA and the ITU.

Strategic Investment Focus
The EBAN Space and Defence Community will prioritise investments in cutting-edge technologies, including:

• Satellite technology
• Cybersecurity
• Autonomous systems
• Communication systems
• Robotics
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum solutions
• New materials and dual-use technologies

Key Activities of the Community
The EBAN Space and Defence Community will undertake a range of activities to support startups and investors, including:

• Mentoring and Investment: Identifying, supporting and investing in promising early-stage companies with high return-on-investment potential.
• Knowledge Sharing: Hosting pitch sessions, webinars, and conferences to educate investors and expand the pool of angel investors in these sectors.
• Navigating Procurement: Providing toolkits to help entrepreneurs access funding and contracts from governments and aerospace and defence giants.
• Innovation Days: Organising events tailored to corporate requirements, matching large industry players with promising startups.
• Policy Engagement: Assisting public institutions in shaping early-stage financing and growth policies, while supporting innovation through product prototyping and scaling initiatives.
• International Collaboration: Facilitating cross-border dialogue and investment among stakeholders and serving as a model for national-level business angel networks (BANs).

Membership in the EBAN Space and Defence Community is open to all EBAN members, and its Executive Committee includes experienced entrepreneurs and investors from across Europe and beyond, alongside representatives from public institutions. To join EBAN and the EBAN Space and Defence Community, please contact abel@eban.org.