Airbus Defence and Space has become the anchor limited partners in E2D, the €500 million dual-use and defence technology growth fund launched by venture capital firms Earlybird and AVP. The fund also announced its first investment in French defence technology startup Alta Ares, as Vestbee was informed.
- Launched in June 2026, E2D focuses on growth-stage European companies developing dual-use and defence technologies across the space, air, land, maritime, and subsurface sectors. The fund plans to invest in around 20 companies, with an average ticket size of approximately €25 million.
- Airbus Defence and Space's participation as anchor LPs comes as European defence investors and industrial groups increase investment in technologies aimed at strengthening the continent's defence capabilities and reducing reliance on external suppliers.
- E2D's first investment is Alta Ares, a French company developing AI-powered hardware and software for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and counter-unmanned aerial systems (UAS) missions. Financial details of the investment were not disclosed.
- The investment follows a memorandum of understanding signed between Airbus Defence and Space and Alta Ares to jointly develop and integrate next-generation European counter-drone solutions into Airbus' battle management suite.
"Airbus Defence and Space's commitment as anchor LP brings E2D closer to the operators and industrial primes our portfolio companies need to scale. Alta Ares is exactly the kind of business we set out to support: agile, mission-focused, and already delivering for European armed forces," said Roland Manger, co-founder of Earlybird.
