EGIDE, a defence technology startup, has secured €8 million in seed funding, co-led by Expeditions, Eurazeo, and Heartcore Capital, with participation from Galion.exe and Kima Ventures.
The company is focused on developing cost-effective, scalable defence solutions designed to address the growing threat posed by low-cost, mass-produced drones and modern asymmetric warfare.
What The Company Does
Founded in 2025 by former MBDA engineers Simon Calonne and Florian Audigier, EGIDE is building next-generation defence systems centered on affordability, adaptability, and integration. Its approach combines hardware and software to create modular systems capable of responding to evolving threats across multiple domains.
A key component of its offering is a new class of electrically propelled interceptors designed to counter large volumes of low-cost aerial threats. These are supported by Mystique, a hardware-agnostic software platform that integrates distributed sensors, AI-based detection, and layered interception systems.
This architecture allows defence systems to operate more flexibly, enabling integration across different platforms while reducing cost and operational complexity compared to traditional solutions.
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Market Context / Industry Background
The nature of modern conflict is shifting, with increasing use of low-cost drones and distributed strike systems that challenge conventional defence infrastructure. Traditional systems, often designed to counter a limited number of high-value threats, are less effective against large-scale, low-cost attacks.
This shift is driving demand for more scalable and economically viable defence solutions. European defence policy discussions have increasingly emphasized resilience, sovereignty, and the need to adapt to new threat dynamics, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments.
Technologies that combine automation, AI, and distributed sensing are becoming central to next-generation defence strategies, enabling faster detection and response in complex environments.
Founder / Investor Commentary
Simon Calonne, co-founder of EGIDE, highlighted the structural change in threat landscapes, noting that defence systems must now address high volumes of adaptable and inexpensive aerial systems. He explained that the company’s objective is to develop scalable and cost-efficient capabilities that can protect both military forces and critical infrastructure.
Calonne emphasized that the funding will support both technological development and team expansion, positioning EGIDE to contribute to the evolution of Europe’s defence capabilities.
Thomas Turelier, Managing Director at Eurazeo, pointed to the strategic importance of strengthening Europe’s security infrastructure. He noted that EGIDE’s focus on cost-efficient, integrated systems aligns with broader efforts to enhance resilience across air, maritime, and ground operations.
Growth Plans / Use Of Funds
The funding will be used to accelerate the development of EGIDE’s interceptor systems and its Mystique platform, with a focus on advancing performance and scalability.
The company also plans to expand its engineering team, recruiting specialists in areas such as electric propulsion, aerodynamics, warhead design, and software development. Building technical expertise is a key priority as EGIDE moves toward further testing and deployment of its systems.
About EGIDE
EGIDE is a defence technology company developing scalable and cost-efficient defence systems. Founded in 2025 in France, the company focuses on creating intelligent, networked interceptors supported by integrated software platforms. Its mission is to enable more resilient and adaptable defence capabilities across air, maritime, and ground environments.
