Eva Szego, The Chair's researcher took part in the «Defence & Sovereignty SMEs & SMBs - how to finance growth» day, organised on 3 July 2025 at the École Militaire by Allinvest and FONTAINE AVOCATS
Eva Szego took part in the round table discussion «Introduction & strategic perspective», moderated by Anne Bauer, journalist in charge of space and defence issues at Les Echos.
Focusing on the economic and financial implications of rearmament in France and Europe, the discussion gave Eva Szego the opportunity to exchange views with :
- Jean-Marie Dumon, Deputy Managing Director, Groupement des Industries de Construction et Activités Navales (GICAN)
- Lieutenant General (2S) Jean-Marc Duquesne, General Delegate, Groupement des Industries de Défense et de Sécurité Terrestres et Aéroterrestres (GICAT)
- Thierry Quillet, Deputy Managing Director of the Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS)
Eva Szego addressed the issue of financing innovation in defence.
She reminded the audience that financing innovation is a strategic leverage to preserve technological and industrial autonomy governments. While the State remains the main player in a market that has historically been governed by the State, the rise of dual technologies and the emergence of innovative start-ups and SMEs make it essential to mobilise private capital.
However, companies in the sector are facing a number of challenges. numerous obstacles These include low profitability, complex public schemes, regulatory constraints, ESG exclusions and long procurement cycles. Despite a clear political will - with, in particular, an increase in the innovation budget in the Military Planning Law - the ecosystem is still too fragmented.
From significant advances However, there have been some positive developments: the rise of European funds (the European Defence Fund, the European Defence Innovation Programme - EUDIS), French initiatives (DefInvest, RAPID, France 2030, etc.), the emergence of corporate ventures and the development of citizen investment. To go further, we need to structure and clarify the financing offer, encourage risk-taking in public procurement, remove regulatory and tax obstacles, and better coordinate existing schemes.
Innovation involves’uncertainty If you want disruptive technologies to emerge, you have to know how to gamble. With a a clear and ambitious strategy, France can strengthen its technological sovereignty in a rapidly changing world.
Eva Szego's presentation was based on her article « Supporting defence innovation is a matter of national sovereignty».», written for the magazine Marine & Oceans.
