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A partner that truly understands Defence & Security

About us

An independent, specialist Defence & Security investor based in Amsterdam – founded by an experienced team with a long-standing passion for the sector and a clear mission: to be the partner of choice for the companies strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy.

The founders of Autonomy Partners at the boardroom table

Beyond generalist capital

Autonomy Partners was founded with a clear mission: to close the gap left by more than 20 years of successive European defence budget cuts – years that left a capable but underinvested SME base. As that tide turns, we set out to be the partner of choice for Defence & Security SMEs and scale-ups, in the belief that these companies deserve more than generalist capital. We combine capital with hands-on involvement and dedicated sector expertise to help them reach their full potential, acting as a specialised extension of management – supported by a network of industry experts, insiders and operators, and an entrepreneurial investor base.

For a strong and resilient Europe.

Team

Our team includes seasoned professionals with strong investment, technology and operating experience, with a deep understanding of, and passion for, the defence and security space.

Erik Jan van Lubek, Partner and Co-Founder of Autonomy Partners

Erik Jan van Lubek

Founding Partner

Built and scaled technology companies from both sides of the table: as investor and operator. Specialises in where software and its integration with hardware tip the balance in defence.

Vortex Capital Partners · Antea Participaties · Nomura

Erik Jan is a Founding Partner at Autonomy Partners. He started his career at leading investment bank Nomura, where he advised clients on IPOs, cross-border M&A and capital raises, before joining private equity firm Antea Participaties. He then joined Vortex Capital Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm ranked in Europe's top 5%, where he focused on fast-growing B2B software and IT companies. The past 2 years, Erik Jan worked as an independent consultant, advising technology companies on operational and strategic matters. As warfare moves into the digital domain - where software and its integration with hardware increasingly tip the balance - Erik Jan brings relevant, specialised expertise to SMEs and scale-ups across the security & defence ecosystem.

  • Broad investment, strategic and operational experience in scaling SME companies
Steef Sint Nicolaas, Partner and Co-Founder of Autonomy Partners

Steef Sint Nicolaas

Founding Partner

Defence investor through and through. Draws on extensive transaction and industry knowledge, as well as hands-on experience in building defence businesses.

Foreman Capital · Houlihan Lokey

Steef is a Founding Partner at Autonomy Partners. He began his career at Houlihan Lokey, a leading global investment bank, where he advised on cross-border M&A and capital raises across industrial technology, services, and safety & security. He then moved to Foreman Capital, a top-quartile entrepreneurial private equity firm, where he primarily focused on defence investments and served on the board of a tactical equipment supplier. His dedicated experience across defence & security lets him help companies across the industry sharpen their positioning, build traction with customers, and convert structural demand into disciplined growth.

  • Deep knowledge of defence market dynamics and extensive transaction experience

Careers

Join us

We are building our team and our advisor network. If you share our conviction in European Defence & Security, we would like to hear from you.

Get in touch