The UK Ministry of Defence has held its first investor pitching event for defense and dual-use technologies, in which companies delivered pitches directly to investors.
As part of the initiative, 10 UK small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were selected to present early-stage, scalable technologies with both civilian and military applications.
More than 100 attendees took part, including venture capital firms, institutional investors, and defense officials.
The event was designed to give defense SMEs direct access to private capital and to address common obstacles such as funding gaps and slow procurement processes.
“UK SMEs are a powerful force at the heart of the UK defense industry. They have the energy, agility and risk appetite to drive innovation and create novel technology that strengthens our security and benefits our society,” stated Rupert Pearce, National Armaments Director.
Boosting Investments
London aims to simplify defense procurement and increase direct government spending with small firms.
Key initiatives include the Defence Office for Small Business Growth, launched in January, which provides policy and commercial support to help SMEs compete for and secure defense contracts.
Between 2024 and 2025, UK defense SMEs received 1.2 billion pounds ($1.6 billion) in ministry of defense investment.
The government has set a target to add another 2.5 billion pounds ($3.3 billion) in SME spending by May 2028, bringing total expenditure with small firms to 7.5 billion pounds ($10.1 billion).
Additional support measures include the Online Export Faculty, a free digital platform offering guidance to defense and dual-use SMEs seeking access to export markets.
Moreover, through the SME Surgery Programme, in-person sessions held across the UK have provided tailored export advice to more than 1,000 SMEs since May 2024.
