EGIDE is developing electrically propelled interceptors and its Mystique software platform to help Europe counter low-cost drones and other mass-produced strike systems.
French defencetech EGIDE has raised an €8 million seed round.
The round was co-led by Expeditions, Eurazeo, and Heartcore Capital, with participation from Galion.exe and Kima Ventures.
Founded in 2025 by former MBDA aerospace and defence engineers Simon Calonne and Florian Audigier, EGIDE was created to address the rapidly growing threat posed by cheap mass-produced drones and strike munitions, which are increasingly challenging traditional defence systems. Calonne is an aerospace engineer specialising in Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC), while Audigier is a pyrotechnical engineer with extensive experience in warhead design.
At the core of the company’s approach is the development of a new kind of electrically propelled interceptor and Mystique, a hardware-agnostic software platform that leverages distributed sensors, AI-driven detection, and layered interception systems. This munition architecture enables reactive iteration against evolving targets and faster integration across different weapon platforms and missions, while reducing the cost and complexity associated with traditional defence systems.
As defence leaders gather at the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum this week, boosting Europe’s arsenal is top of the agenda. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Iran conflict have shown how quickly cheap drones can overwhelm legacy defence systems.
Europe and its NATO allies must transition from limited, high-cost interceptors to a new generation of adaptable, scalable systems capable of countering constantly evolving threats. EGIDE aims to lead this shift by building affordable, integrated defence systems designed for modern battlefields and for protecting critical infrastructure.
According to Simon Calonne, Co-founder of EGIDE, 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.”
According to Dr Mikołaj Firlej, Co-Founder and General Partner at Expeditions, 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.”
Thomas Turelier, Managing Director at Eurazeo, commented:
“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 reflects 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.”
The company will use the new funding to accelerate the design and production of electrically-propelled interceptors and the development of its Mystique operating platform.
EGIDE will look to expand its engineering team, bringing together the best talent from across Europe with expertise in electric propulsion, aerodynamic and warhead design and software engineering.