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Corporate VCPuts its own capital into companiesActive · deal in last 18 monthsLAST VERIFIED Oct 2026 · 3 SOURCES

Safran Corporate Ventures

Corporate venture subsidiary of Safran

Corporate venture subsidiary of aerospace and defence group Safran (2015), Paris; invests in deep-tech startups and a few funds, with Safran as sole LP.

HEADQUARTERS
Paris, France
FOUNDED
2015
AUM
—
OUTSIDE CAPITAL
No — own capital only
TEAM LISTED
1 people

Focus

STAGES
Pre-SeedSeedSeries ASeries B
SECTORS
Deep TechSpaceClimate & EnergyIndustrial & Manufacturing
ASSET MIX
Venture capital
GEOGRAPHY
Global

Overview

Safran Corporate Ventures was launched in May 2015 with a €50M envelope for direct investments in startups. The envelope rose to €80M in 2019, when it also began making fund commitments, and to €130M in 2023; Safran is its only limited partner and each deal needs the sponsorship of a group company head. By April 2024 it had made 22 direct investments with five exits, focusing on decarbonisation, sovereignty (including NewSpace) and digital transformation. Its open-innovation department was attached to the CVC in 2021.

Investment thesis

Direct minority investments, never alone, in deep-tech startups relevant to Safran’s businesses (decarbonisation, sovereignty incl. NewSpace, digital transformation), from pre-seed to Series B; sweet spot €2–4M in Series A.

PORTFOLIO (6)

  • Akira
    Deep Tech · since 2026
  • Greenerwave
    Deep Tech
  • Diota
    Software & SaaS · Acquired
  • Safetyline
    Software & SaaS · Acquired
  • Matterwave Ventures (fund)
  • United Airlines Sustainable Fund (fund; name as given by Maddyness)
    Climate & Energy

People

  • Florent Illat
    Managing Director (Directeur général) · source

Links

Frequently asked questions

Safran Corporate Ventures is a corporate venture arm based in Paris, France, founded in 2015.

Yes. Safran Corporate Ventures invests its own capital in private companies. It also commits capital to third-party funds as an LP.

Safran Corporate Ventures invests at Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A and Series B stages in Deep Tech, Space, Climate & Energy and Industrial & Manufacturing.

Safran Corporate Ventures's stated ticket size is €200K–€7M.

Key people at Safran Corporate Ventures include Florent Illat (Managing Director (Directeur général)).

Safran Corporate Ventures's investments include Akira, Greenerwave, Diota, Safetyline, Matterwave Ventures (fund) and United Airlines Sustainable Fund (fund; name as given by Maddyness).

The most recent publicly reported investment by Safran Corporate Ventures is Akira (Minority stake in latest funding round), announced in Sep 2026.

No. Safran Corporate Ventures invests its own capital and does not raise money from outside investors.