How Can Defence Businesses Access Private Capital?

The UK's defence ambitions increasingly depend on more than government spending alone. As pressure grows to accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains and expand industrial capacity, private capital is becoming a critical component of the defence ecosystem. The UK's Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) recognises the role that private investment can play in helping defence businesses develop new technologies, scale production and support long-term national security objectives.

For defence businesses, particularly SMEs, scale-ups and companies developing dual-use technologies, this presents a significant opportunity. But attracting investment requires more than an innovative product. Businesses must understand where investors are focusing their attention and what they need to demonstrate to secure funding.