Protego Ventures

growth-positive

XTEND, a leader in AI-powered tactical autonomous robotic systems, has announced a $30M extension to its $70M Series B funding round, co-led by Aliya Capital Partners and Protego Ventures. The investment will support XTENDs expansion of U.S. and global production, integration of real-time AI capabilities, and deployment with defense forces and for humanitarian efforts. The company has opened a new U.S. headquarters in Tampa, Florida, marking a significant operational scale-up. This funding round highlights the growing demand for XTENDs mission-critical autonomous systems, which are already in use by defense agencies worldwide. The investment is seen as a vote of confidence in XTENDs technology and its potential to impact defense, security, and emergency response sectors.

growth-positive

Protego Ventures, a new Israel-based venture capital fund, is investing in Israeli defense technology. The firm focuses on early growth companies, typically in Round A and above, that have already achieved product market fit and are collaborating with government agencies in Israel. The need for advanced technology has increased post-October 7, as the nature of warfare and homeland security has evolved. Protego Ventures has evaluated 63 companies in the past eight months, many of which are pre-seed and seed stage, highlighting the agility required in times of war to maintain a competitive edge.

growth-positive

Protego Ventures, Israels first venture capital fund dedicated exclusively to defense technology, is capitalizing on the growing global interest in military tech. Led by Lital Leshem and Lee Moser, the fund has already secured $70 million in commitments and is expected to close at $200 million, surpassing its initial $150 million target. The fund has made a $5 million investment in drone company Xtend and is evaluating other start-ups in the sector. This surge in defense start-ups is fueled by increased global demand for advanced technologies, driven by recent conflicts and changes in defense strategies. The funds creation was inspired by Mosers interactions with U.S. industry officials interested in Israeli defense tech. The article highlights the broader trend of increased international interest and investment in Israels defense tech sector.