NSSIF
The National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) is the UK Government's deep tech venture capital fund for national security and defence, operated in partnership with the British Business Bank. Founded in 2018, it invests commercially in early-stage startups developing dual-use technologies with applications across both the private sector and the national security community. Its portfolio includes companies in quantum computing, photonics, AI, autonomous systems, and semiconductors, with notable investments in Orca Computing, Riverlane, Quantum Motion, and Nu Quantum.
Focus Areas
Portfolio
2 companies in our directory
OSS
Oxford Space Systems was founded in 2013 by a team of serial entrepreneurs and engineers including Matthew John, Juan Reveles, Mike Lawton, Matthew Dreaper, and Vincent Fraux, with Sean Sutcliffe joining as CEO in 2019. Based in Harwell, the company develops deployable antenna systems for satellite missions using its flagship Wrapped Rib technology, which combines traditional space engineering with expertise from Formula One and textiles to enable parabolic reflectors to stow compactly for lightweight spacecraft. OSS has partnered with Surrey Satellite Technology on synthetic aperture radar payloads for the UK Space Agency and Space Norway, and was selected as a key supplier for the UK Ministry of Defence Oberon earth observation mission led by Airbus Defence and Space. The company has grown to over 100 employees and raised $31M from investors including Longwall Ventures, IQ Capital, Foresight Group, and NSSIF.
Kraken Technology
Kraken Technology Group is a UK-based designer and manufacturer of high-performance uncrewed surface vessels for defence and commercial maritime operations. Founded by Mal Crease, a 25-year veteran of the maritime industry with a background in high-performance offshore racing and Formula One engineering, the company develops modular, open-architecture autonomous vessels using composite materials. Key products include the K3 SCOUT reconnaissance USV, K4 MANTA subsurface delivery platform, and K5 KRAKEN precision engagement platform. Kraken secured a £12.3M Royal Navy order for 20 uncrewed surface vessels under Project Beehive and has partnered with NVL, one of the world's premier shipbuilders, to scale manufacturing globally. The company is backed by the NATO Innovation Fund and UK National Security Strategic Investment Fund.