Fusion launches defense-tech fund, offering start-ups up to $2 million in early-stage funding

Israeli venture capital fund Fusion has launched a new investment track for defense technology start-ups, offering up to $2 million in initial funding as it looks to back companies developing technologies for military, national security, and critical infrastructure applications.Launched in partnership with Stratos Ventures, the program will provide selected start-ups with investments ranging from $500,000 to $2 million, along with access to defense industry networks and military and government organizations in Israel, the United States, and Europe.The initiative comes as Israel's defense-tech sector continues to attract growing interest from global investors and international defense industries following the last few years of operational experience and increased demand for technologies ranging from autonomous systems to electronic warfare and critical infrastructure protection.But Fusion says much of the investment attention remains concentrated in a relatively narrow group of technologies, leaving other strategically important areas without sufficient early-stage funding."We believe Israel has a significant advantage in developing defense technologies, thanks to the practical experience and unique expertise built up over the years within its defense establishment and defense industries," said Guy Katsovich, co-founder and managing partner at Fusion."However, we see a significant gap between the potential of founders in this sector and their access to early-stage capital. Much of investors'