EGIDE, a France-based defense technology startup, has raised €8 million in a seed funding round to accelerate the development of next-generation, cost-efficient defense systems designed to counter the growing threat of low-cost drones and strike munitions.
The round was co-led by Expeditions, Eurazeo, and Heartcore Capital, with additional participation from Galion.exe and Kima Ventures. The funding comes at a time when defense priorities across Europe are shifting toward scalable and affordable solutions, driven by evolving geopolitical conflicts and the increasing use of inexpensive, mass-produced drones in modern warfare.
Founded in 2025 by former MBDA engineers Simon Calonne and Florian Audigier, EGIDE is focused on building electrically propelled interceptors and a hardware-agnostic software platform called Mystique. The platform integrates distributed sensors, AI-driven detection, and layered interception systems to provide adaptable defense capabilities across air, ground, and maritime environments.
The company’s approach aims to address a key challenge facing traditional defense systems, which are often designed to counter a limited number of high-value threats but struggle against large volumes of low-cost, rapidly evolving aerial systems. By emphasizing modularity, scalability, and reduced cost, EGIDE seeks to enable faster iteration and broader deployment across multiple mission types.
The newly raised capital will be used to accelerate product development and expand EGIDE’s engineering team across Europe. The company is recruiting talent in electric propulsion, aerodynamics, warhead design, and software engineering to support its mission of building an integrated and affordable defense architecture.
The funding also reflects a broader trend among European investors backing technologies that strengthen regional security and resilience, particularly in response to lessons learned from recent conflicts involving drone warfare.
KEY QUOTES:
“Low-cost drones are fundamentally transforming modern warfare. Systems designed to intercept a small number of high-value threats are now being confronted with large volumes of inexpensive and highly adaptable aerial systems. At EGIDE we are building a new generation of scalable and affordable defence capabilities designed to meet this challenge. Our ambition is to build a European leader in mass-affordable interceptors capable of protecting forces and critical infrastructure against evolving aerial, sea and ground threats. This funding allows us to accelerate the development of our interceptors and Mystique, and build the team that will help reshape Europe’s defence architecture.”
Simon Calonne, Co-founder of EGIDE
“Europe is entering a decisive moment in the rebuilding of its security architecture. The rapid proliferation of low-cost drones is transforming the character of warfare, exposing critical vulnerabilities and unsustainable economics associated with legacy defence systems. Simon, Florian and the EGIDE team are addressing this challenge by developing scalable defence capabilities built specifically for the realities of modern conflict. At Expeditions we back founders rebuilding the technological foundations of European security, and EGIDE is exactly the type of company we believe will play a defining role in that transformation.”
Dr. Mikołaj Firlej, Co-Founder and General Partner at Expeditions
“Strengthening Europe’s sovereignty and resilience is a strategic priority in today’s environment. EGIDE’s approach to cost-efficient interceptors that can be integrated across air, sea and ground missions reflect this broader dynamic. Simon, Florian and the team bring a rare depth of experience in the technologies that will be key in safeguarding Europe’s security , and we’re proud to support them as they build the next generation of defence systems.”
Thomas Turelier, Managing Director at Eurazeo
“Cheap attack drones have significantly changed the economics of warfare, overwhelming legacy defence systems and pushing Europe to find a new answer. We see a key opportunity in cost-effective, intelligent defence systems that deliver resilience across domains. Simon and Florian are exceptional founders and we look forward to supporting them as they build EGIDE to develop the affordable arsenal Europe urgently needs.”
Jimmy Fussing Nielsen, Partner at Heartcore Capital
