What happened
Spanish venture capital firm Kibo Ventures has announced a €80 million first close on its fourth fund, targeting a €150 million hard cap to back deeptech startups across Europe, including areas like cybersecurity, AI, and defence tech. The firm already has backing from investors such as BBVA Spark, Mahou’s founding family, and the European Investment Fund.
Who is affected
Early‑stage deeptech founders and startups, particularly those in cybersecurity automation, data management, AI, and dual‑use defence technologies, stand to benefit from increased access to capital. Existing portfolio companies like Theker and AnyFormat have already received early funding from the new vehicle.
Why CISOs should care
- Cybersecurity innovation pipeline: VC allocation toward cybersecurity automation and AI suggests increased development of tools relevant to enterprise security teams.
- European tech sovereignty: Strengthening domestic funding reduces reliance on U.S. capital and supports EU‑based cyber solutions tailored to regional compliance and threat landscapes.
- Talent and technology acceleration: Expanded funding can accelerate startups that may become strategic partners or acquisition targets for security teams looking to modernize.
3 practical actions for CISOs
- Track emerging startups in the Kibo portfolio, especially those focusing on cybersecurity automation and AI, for potential pilot programs.
- Engage with European VC‑backed founders at industry events to influence product roadmaps toward enterprise needs.
- Monitor integration trends between deeptech innovations and core security operations to anticipate shifts in tooling and defensive capabilities.