Safran Corporate Ventures accelerates investment in innovation for decarbonisation, sovereignty and digital
Safran Corporate Ventures, Safran’s venture capital arm, is increasing its investment capacity and equity stakes in startups developing disruptive technologies. Formed in 2015, Safran Corporate Ventures now has a budget of €130 million, an increase of more than 60%, to accelerate its investments in strategic areas of innovation for the Group: decarbonisation, sovereignty and digital.
Since its inception, Safran Corporate Ventures has invested in 22 startups, 17 of which are still in its portfolio. It currently has three funds. Its strategy is to identify the world’s most promising technologies in Safran’s strategic areas of innovation and invest alongside other financial investors and/or corporate venture funds. Safran Corporate Ventures is also positioned as a long-term partner to these startups and supports their development with the help of experts at Safran companies.
“By increasing our investment capacity by €50 million, we now have the additional resources to strengthen our support for startups developing disruptive technologies in the key areas ,” said Florent Illat, CEO of Safran Corporate Ventures. “Our investment activity is part of an open innovation approach aimed at supporting the emergence of technologies developed by outside players.”
In recent years, Safran Corporate Ventures has stepped up its investments in line with the Group’s strategic priorities:
- Decarbonisation: Ineratec (synthetic fuel production units), Avnos (CO2 capture technology), Cranfield Aerospace Solutions (fuel cell propulsion), Sintermat (manufacture of lighter materials).
- Sovereignty: Greenerwave (electromagnetic wave shaping), Vyoma (space debris monitoring).
- Digital: Numalis (AI explainability and validation), SkyFive (in-flight connectivity systems).
As well as investing in startups, Safran is launching two Safran Explore open innovation programs. These programs — Safran Explore Canada for startups in this region and Safran Explore Flying Experience for passengers in-flight digital services and the circular economy of materials for aircraft interiors — will help Safran identify, select and support the most promising startups as they bring these technologies to maturity.
Cover photo: Safran – LEAP-1A – the Airbus A320neo engine
