EGIDE is Developing Next-Generation Defence Arsenal

EGIDE, a French defence technology startup building the next generation of affordable defence systems, led by Florian AUDIGIER, Simon CALONNE, and the team, has raised an €8 million seed round co-led by Expeditions, Eurazeo, and Heartcore Capital, with participation from Galion.exe and Kima Ventures. 

At the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum, strengthening Europe’s defences has taken priority, as recent conflicts highlight the need for scalable, cost-effective systems to counter low-cost drone threats, an area EGIDE aims to lead.

At the core of its approach is a new electrically propelled interceptor alongside Mystique, a hardware-agnostic platform combining distributed sensors, AI-driven detection, and layered interception. This next-generation architecture enables rapid adaptation to evolving threats, seamless integration across platforms, and reduced cost and complexity compared to traditional systems.

Founded in 2025 by former MBDA engineers Simon Calonne and Florian Audigier, EGIDE was established to address the growing threat of low-cost, mass-produced drones and strike munitions challenging traditional defence systems. Backed by deep expertise in advanced missile technologies, the team brings specialization in guidance, navigation, control, and warhead design.

The funding will accelerate development of electrically propelled interceptors and the Mystique platform, while supporting team expansion across Europe in electric propulsion, aerodynamics, warhead design, and software engineering.

“Low-cost drones are fundamentally reshaping modern warfare, as systems designed for limited high-value threats face growing volumes of inexpensive, highly adaptable aerial systems. EGIDE is developing a new generation of scalable, affordable defence capabilities to meet this shift, with the ambition to become a European leader in mass-affordable interceptors protecting forces and critical infrastructure across air, sea, and ground domains. The funding will accelerate development of its interceptors and Mystique platform while supporting team expansion to help redefine Europe’s defence architecture,” said Simon Calonne, Co-founder of EGIDE.

“Europe is entering a decisive phase in rebuilding its security architecture, as the rapid proliferation of low-cost drones exposes critical vulnerabilities and the unsustainable economics of legacy defence systems,” said Dr Mikołaj Firlej, Co-Founder and General Partner at Expeditions.

“Simon Calonne, Florian Audigier, and the EGIDE team are addressing this challenge by developing scalable defence capabilities tailored to modern conflict. EGIDE represents the kind of company positioned to play a defining role in rebuilding the technological foundations of European security,” said Dr. Mikołaj Firlej, Co-Founder and General Partner at Expeditions.

“Strengthening Europe’s sovereignty and resilience has become a strategic priority, with EGIDE’s cost-efficient, multi-domain interceptor approach reflecting this shift. Backed by deep expertise in critical defence technologies, the team is well-positioned to build the next generation of defence systems,” said Thomas Turelier, Managing Director at Eurazeo.

“Low-cost attack drones have reshaped the economics of warfare, overwhelming legacy systems and driving the need for new, cost-effective and intelligent defence solutions across domains. EGIDE is positioned to address this shift, with strong leadership guiding the development of an affordable arsenal for Europe,” said Jimmy Fussing Nielsen, Partner at Heartcore Capital.