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Safran Corporate Ventures

Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris

Description

Safran Corporate Ventures serves as the dedicated corporate venture capital arm of the Safran Group, a leading international high-technology group operating in the aerospace, defense, and security markets. Established in 2015, its primary mission is to identify and invest in innovative startups whose technologies and business models are strategically complementary to Safran's core activities. This approach allows Safran to access cutting-edge innovations, foster new partnerships, and potentially integrate disruptive technologies into its future product lines and services, thereby strengthening its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

The fund is specifically designed to support early-stage companies, typically engaging in Seed, Series A, and Series B funding rounds. Safran Corporate Ventures manages a dedicated fund with a substantial capital base of €100 million, equivalent to approximately $108 million USD. This financial backing enables them to make meaningful investments in promising ventures. Since its inception, the corporate venture arm has demonstrated a consistent investment pace, having invested in around twenty startups across its target sectors. This selective yet active investment strategy underscores their commitment to building a diversified portfolio of high-potential companies that align with Safran's long-term strategic vision.

When considering investments, Safran Corporate Ventures typically deploys initial cheques ranging from €1 million to €5 million, which translates to approximately $1.08 million to $5.4 million USD. This range indicates a preference for significant minority stakes, providing startups with crucial capital for growth and development. Beyond financial investment, portfolio companies gain invaluable access to Safran's extensive industrial expertise, global network, and potential for commercial partnerships, including opportunities for joint development and market access. This strategic value proposition extends beyond mere capital, offering startups a unique pathway to accelerate their technological and market adoption within the aerospace, defense, and security ecosystems.

Investor Profile

Safran Corporate Ventures has backed more than 28 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 6 rounds, about 21% of its total and boasts 4 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Series A, Series Unknown, Series B rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in France, Germany, United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Energy, Aerospace, Manufacturing.
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $1.1M – $5.4M.

Stage Focus

  • Series A (36%)
  • Series Unknown (32%)
  • Series B (18%)
  • Seed (11%)
  • Series C (4%)

Country Focus

  • France (64%)
  • Germany (18%)
  • United States (7%)
  • United Kingdom (7%)
  • Austria (4%)

Industry Focus

  • Energy
  • Aerospace
  • Manufacturing
  • Software
  • Information Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence (Ai)
  • Robotics
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Telecommunications
  • Chemical Engineering
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Safran Corporate Ventures frequently co-invest with?

Supernova Invest
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
Co-Investments: 3
Innovacom
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
Starquest Capital
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
HTGF | High-Tech Gruenderfonds
Europe, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany, Bonn
Co-Investments: 3
ENGIE New Ventures
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 2
Planet A Ventures
Europe, Berlin, Germany, Berlin
Co-Investments: 3
Bpifrance
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Maisons-alfort
Co-Investments: 4
CEA Investissement
Europe, Ile-de-France, France, Paris
Co-Investments: 3
MPC Capital
Europe, Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg
Co-Investments: 3

Which angels does Safran Corporate Ventures often collaborate with?

AZ
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Safran Corporate Ventures?

mirSense

Palaiseau, Ile-de-France, France

mirSense is a developer and manufacturer of a new generation of ultra-compact gas sensors designed to offer lasers for the medium infrared.

ChemicalManufacturingSemiconductor
Series AApr 23, 2025
Amount Raised: $7,926,443
Estuaire

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

Estuaire aims to empower the aviation industry by reducing its environmental impact.

AerospaceGreenTech
SeedJun 25, 2024
Amount Raised: $2,361,655
Avnos

Santa Monica, California, United States

Avnos is commercializing technology to capture CO2 without consuming water, producing water for every ton.

Carbon CaptureEnergyEnvironmental EngineeringWater
Series AFeb 6, 2024
Amount Raised: $36,000,000
GREENERWAVE

Paris, Ile-de-France, France

We are aiming to change the world by helping every customer to always have a good wireless indoor connection

HardwareInternet
Series AFeb 1, 2024
Amount Raised: $16,311,564
INERATEC

Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

INERATEC provides sustainable fuels, gas-to-liquid, power-to-gas, and power-to-liquid application products.

Chemical EngineeringEnergyEnvironmental EngineeringRenewable Energy
Series BJan 16, 2024
Amount Raised: $128,367,051
blackshark.ai

Graz, Steiermark, Austria

A 3D digital twin of Earth I powered by satellite data & artificial intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Autonomous VehiclesCloud ComputingComputer VisionGeospatialGovernmentMachine LearningMapping ServicesSimulationSmart Cities
Series ANov 16, 2023
Amount Raised: $15,000,000
Numalis

Montpellier, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Numalis validates your program calculations quickly and multiply their accuracy while increase performance.

Software
Series UnknownNov 2, 2023
Amount Raised: $5,307,856
Vyoma GmbH

Munich, Bayern, Germany

Vyoma helps in increasing confidence in space with real-time debris observations and AI, for safe and automated satellite operations.

AerospaceArtificial Intelligence (AI)Satellite CommunicationSpace Travel
SeedJun 20, 2023
Amount Raised: $9,281,979
Cranfield Aerospace

Cranfield, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Cranfield Aerospace is an aerospace company focusing on the prototyping of new aerospace concepts.

AerospaceManufacturing
Series UnknownApr 21, 2023
Amount Raised: $12,435,491
INERATEC

Karlsruhe, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany

INERATEC provides sustainable fuels, gas-to-liquid, power-to-gas, and power-to-liquid application products.

Chemical EngineeringEnergyEnvironmental EngineeringRenewable Energy
Series UnknownJan 25, 2023