Paladin partners with NATO DIANA to boost secure tech investments

Paladin Capital Group has joined forces with the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) to promote trust, safety, and security in international technological investments.

Established by NATO, DIANA aims to accelerate dual-use innovation capacity across the Alliance. As part of this collaboration, Paladin signed onto DIANA's Allied Capital Community Investment Principles, which reflect the Investment Principles and Commitments for Trust, Safety, and Security that Paladin, alongside other capital firms, presented to the White House National Security Council in March.

Chris Steed, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director of Paladin Capital Group, will join DIANA's Venture Advisory Board, which serves as the steering body of the Allied Capital Community. Steed expressed the importance of this collaboration, stating, "We are proud to join NATO DIANA in putting trust, safety, and security at the centre of technological innovation to protect the world's democracies from emerging threats."

"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."

The DIANA Allied Capital Community Investment Principles are voluntary commitments designed for investors from NATO Member Nations. These principles promote strategic alignment, security, risk management, and best practices for investors and their portfolio companies. Paladin's own robust set of principles and commitments has influenced DIANA's updated principles, underscoring an international dedication to protecting democracies worldwide. These principles aim to further NATO's mission and its foundational values of individual liberty, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.

Deeph Chana, Managing Director of DIANA, commented on the alignment with Paladin’s principles. "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. 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 comprises senior professionals with substantial expertise in venture capital, investments, dual-use industry, and investment expertise. All members are citizens of NATO Member Countries and are dedicated to advancing DIANA Allied Capital Community's objectives, prioritising trust, safety, and security in investments. Andrea Traversone, Managing Partner of the NATO Innovation Fund, will chair the board.

In 2023, DIANA selected Hushmesh, a portfolio company of Paladin focused on securing the global digital infrastructure, as one of the first innovators in the DIANA accelerator programme. Through the Allied Capital Community, DIANA aims to secure additional funding and access to Allied defence and security markets for more DIANA innovators.

The announcement follows closely after the NATO Innovation Fund signed Paladin's Investment Principles and Commitments in June. The fund, supported by 24 NATO allies, is a standalone venture capital entity deploying over EUR €1 billion in deep tech. In addition to Paladin, eleven leading advanced technology investors, including Americas Frontier Fund, Ballistic Ventures, Forgepoint Capital, and others, have adopted these investment principles and commitments.