Key Takeaways
- MASNA Ventures, a Saudi defence-focused venture capital fund, seeks to increase its capacity to $150 million.
- The fund is prioritizing autonomous systems, including unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater vehicles.
- MASNA is collaborating with Prime Original Equipment Manufacturers and local startups to develop advanced defence technology.
Saudi Arabia’s first defence-focused venture capital fund, MASNA Ventures, is expanding its investment in local manufacturing of US and allied defence technology, according to General Partner Lucien Zeigler.
The fund, which is anchored by a prominent Saudi family office and sharia-compliant, is seeking to raise its capacity to $150 million from $100 million.
Committed capital so far includes only Saudi nationals, and the firm is considering bringing in international capital, although Zeigler declined to comment further on amounts or investors, citing regulations.
Zeigler emphasized that the fund is a bet on Saudi sovereignty, and he wants Saudis who believe in the sector to share in the benefits.
MASNA Ventures is focusing on autonomous systems, including unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater vehicles, with maritime being a priority.
The firm is accelerating collaboration with Prime Original Equipment Manufacturers and startup unicorns, whose connected, autonomous platforms were designed for the Gulf and the Red Sea.
Venture capital firms have invested $19.4 billion in defence tech globally this year, double last year’s total, according to PitchBook.
Saudi Arabia has recorded VC deals worth about $200 million in 2026, the data platform said.
MASNA Ventures has partnered with SR2 Defence Systems, a local manufacturer that Zeigler co-founded, to develop advanced defence technology on Saudi soil.
The fund is targeting three operational joint ventures and six capital investments in 2026, with one joint venture between SR2 and US drone maker Vector Defense already ramping up, leading a funding round that is three times oversubscribed.
MASNA also plans to back another joint venture producing anti-drone systems built around ‘world-leading US hard-kill technology.’
This is a bet on Saudi sovereignty, and we want Saudis who believe in the sector sharing in the wins.
Lucien Zeigler, General Partner, MASNA Ventures
Right now, it is drones and aerial defence above all else.
Lucien Zeigler, General Partner, MASNA Ventures
