Wednesday, 22 July 2026

Private capital continues to flow into European deeptech, with notable investments in defence, AI, and space technologies across the continent.
The number
€500M
Anchor investment from Airbus Defence and Space into a new dual-use technology growth fund.
Listen — today's brief

Welcome to HEEU Pulse. Today, we're tracking the robust flow of private capital into European deep tech, particularly in defense, AI, and space technologies. Indeed, the sector is buzzing. Our number of the day, five hundred million dollars, highlights Airbus Defense and Space's anchor investment in the new E2D dual-use technology growth fund. That's a significant commitment signaling strong confidence in European defense innovation. This fund, launched by Earlybird and AVP, has already backed Alta Aries. It certainly does. This move by Airbus provides substantial capital and strategic backing, aiming to attract further investment into growth stage companies developing dual-use technologies. And it's not the only new fund in the defense space. Ukraine's Resist.ua has just launched Resist 2.0, a fifty million dollar European fund for Ukrainian defense tech. Resist 2.0 aims to connect international capital with battlefield proven innovations. It underscores Ukraine's commitment to building a robust indigenous defense industry. Shifting to space, Turin-based Oris has secured five million dollars to advance its laser-based wireless power transmission systems for orbital energy infrastructure. This is a critical development for sustainable space operations, addressing energy needs for satellites and future missions. It also aligns with the growing dual-use focus. Europe is also pushing forward with in-orbit servicing through projects like EROS IOD and AstroLift to extend spacecraft lifespans and enhance functionality. These initiatives are developing crucial technologies for autonomous rendezvous, refueling, and repair, which are vital for evolving space infrastructure. Finally, in AI and robotics, UK firm, Humanoid, has achieved a one point thirty-five billion dollar valuation after securing a hundred and fifty-two million dollars in Series A funding. This investment reflects robust market interest in advanced industrial automation. Humanoid specializes in industrial humanoid robots, enhancing productivity and operational security. So from defense to deep tech space and advanced robotics, European innovation continues to attract substantial private investment. The focus on dual-use technologies and strategic autonomy is clearly driving much of this capital, fostering a dynamic ecosystem across the continent. That's all for today's HEEU Pulse. For more details on these stories and the latest in European deep tech, visit heeu.eu.
- Defence Tech
Airbus anchors €500M European defence tech fund
Airbus Defence and Space has committed as anchor investor to the new €500 million E2D dual-use and defence technology growth fund. Launched by Earlybird and AVP, this signals increasing private sector confidence in European defence innovation.
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- AI & Robotics Funding
UK's Humanoid robotics achieves $1.35B valuation
Humanoid, a UK-based AI and robotics firm, has secured $152 million in Series A funding. This investment boosts its post-money valuation to $1.35 billion, highlighting strong investor confidence in advanced industrial automation.
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- Space Technology
European projects advance orbital servicing for extended space missions
Initiatives like EROSS IOD and ASTROLIFT are developing technologies for in-orbit servicing, including refuelling and repair, to enhance satellite longevity and future space infrastructure.
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- Deeptech Space
ORiS secures €5M to develop laser-powered space energy systems
Turin-based deeptech startup ORiS has raised €5 million. The funding will advance its laser-based wireless power transmission systems for space applications and dual-use scenarios, aiming to establish new orbital energy infrastructure.
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- Ukrainian Defence
Resist.UA Launches €50M Fund for Ukrainian Defence Tech
Ukrainian investment platform Resist.UA has introduced Resist 2.0, a new €50 million European fund. Its objective is to connect international capital with Ukraine's expanding defence and dual-use technology sector, focusing on battlefield-proven innovations.
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