Lockheed Martin expands venture capital fund to USD1bn

Lockheed Martin has expanded the investment of its venture capital arm, Lockheed Martin Ventures, from USD400 million to USD1 billion, to accelerate defence technologies into maturity.  

The company said on 14 April that the additional funding marks its largest increase since the fund was established in 2007.  

The fund backs companies working across a range of technology areas, including AI, autonomy, quantum computing, advanced materials, and microelectronics. 

According to Lockheed Martin CFO Evan Scott, alongside the development of new defence technologies, the investments are intended to strengthen the company’s supplier base.  

Launched with an initial budget of USD100 million, the fund has since invested around USD500 million in more than 120 companies. Around half of these have become suppliers to Lockheed Martin. 

Lockheed Martin Ventures is scheduled to host its ninth annual “demo day” in August at the company’s headquarters, featuring companies from its current investment portfolio and new startups working in aerospace and defence.