Paladin Capital Group, a leading multi-stage investor in advanced cyber and AI technologies, has joined the Allied Capital Community of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) – an organization established by NATO to find and accelerate dual-use innovation capacity across the Alliance – and signed onto DIANA’s Allied Capital Community Investment Principles.
These principles mirror many of the Investment Principles and Commitments for Trust, Safety and Security, led by Paladin and a growing group of over a dozen capital firms.
As part of this collaboration, Paladin’s Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director Chris Steed will join the Venture Advisory Board, the steering body of the Allied Capital Community.
Together, these actions are said to signal an international commitment to bringing forth a safer era of investing that defends free and open societies, democratic values and promotes innovation across the globe.
“We are proud to join NATO DIANA in putting trust, safety, and security at the center of technological innovation to protect the world’s democracies from emerging threats,” said Chris Steed, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director, Paladin Capital Group.
“Trusted capital is about protecting the critical infrastructure of democracies everywhere. That’s why we’re pleased to join DIANA’s commitment to free, open societies while further advancing stronger returns for investors. Paladin is proud to partner with them in that pursuit and I am grateful for the opportunity to join their Venture Advisory Board to continue driving this work forward.”
DIANA’s Allied Capital Community Investment Principles are a set of voluntary commitments for investors from NATO Member Nations to promote strategic alignment, security, risk management and best practices for themselves and their portfolio companies. The DIANA principles have been updated based on Paladin’s own robust set of principles and commitments, demonstrating an international commitment to protecting democracies around the globe. These principles exist to advance the mission of NATO and its underlying values of individual liberty, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
“Paladin Capital Group’s Investment Principles for Trust, Safety, and Security serve as a model for investors worldwide, which is why DIANA has shaped our own set of principles in line with theirs,” said Deeph Chana, Managing Director, DIANA.
“Our joint commitment to advancing technology, while also protecting the democratic institutions that are foundational to the basic functioning of society, lies at the core of the Allied Capital Community. We look forward to a long partnership with Chris Steed, who is truly a leading force to advance trusted capital and continuing to work closely with all of Paladin Capital Group.”
The Venture Advisory Board is composed of senior professionals with vast expertise across venture capital, investments, dual use industry and investment expertise.
They are citizens of NATO Member Countries and are committed to advancing the goals of the DIANA Allied Capital Community, which include investing in trust, safety, and security.
The NATO Innovation Fund will chair the Venture Advisory Board through its managing partner, Andrea Traversone.
In 2023, DIANA selected Hushmesh, a portfolio company of Paladin aimed at securing the world’s digital infrastructure, as one of the inaugural DIANA accelerator program innovators through a highly competitive process.
DIANA looks to secure additional funding and facilitate access to Allied defence and security markets for more DIANA innovators through the Allied Capital Community.
This announcement comes on the heels of the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) signing Paladin’s Investment Principles and commitments in June.
The NIF is a standalone venture capital fund backed by 24 NATO allies, deploying €1 billion+ in deep tech.
NIF joined Paladin and 11 leading advanced technologies investors who have signed onto the Investment Principles & Commitments, including America’s Frontier Fund, Ballistic Ventures, Forgepoint Capital, Gula Tech Adventures, Razor’s Edge Ventures, Scout Ventures, Shield Capital, Squadra Ventures, New North Ventures, Tech Operators and SYN Ventures.
As a multi-stage investor, Paladin pitches its core strength as identifying, supporting and investing in innovative companies that develop promising, early-stage technologies to address the critical cyber and advanced technological needs of both commercial and government customers.
