Former CIA officer‑turned‑solo GP Eric Slesinger is raising a second defence fund just a year after closing a $22m round to back European defence and dual‑use startups. The move signals a sharp uptick in venture capital interest in national‑security technologies.

Slesinger’s first fund, raised in 2023, deployed capital across companies like robotics integrator LidarTech and cyber‑security firm ShieldGuard. The new fund will target larger, later‑stage rounds, aiming to bridge the gap between seed investment and strategic acquisitions.

The €6.9 million pledge mentioned in the source reflects a growing appetite for European‑centric defence tech. By concentrating on dual‑use platforms, the fund intends to generate returns while strengthening continental security.

With a second fund, Slesinger positions himself to capture a niche that blends high‑tech risk with strategic importance. The capital influx could accelerate product development cycles and create new partnership opportunities between start‑ups and established defence contractors.