EGIDE Secures €8M Seed To Develop Next-Gen Defence Systems

With European defence a key focus at the Paris Defence and Strategy Forum, EGIDE addresses the urgent need to counter cheap, mass-produced drones that challenge traditional systems. The company aims to provide adaptable, scalable and integrated defence solutions for modern battlefields and critical infrastructure.

Central to EGIDE’s approach are electrically-propelled interceptors and Mystique a hardware-agnostic software platform combining distributed sensors AI-driven detection and layered interception systems.

This architecture enables rapid adaptation to evolving threats and seamless integration across platforms reducing cost and complexity compared to conventional defence solutions.

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Founded in 2025 by former MBDA engineers Simon Calonne and Florian Audigier EGIDE was established to tackle the rising threat of low-cost mass-produced drones and strike munitions challenging traditional defence systems. Calonne specializes in Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) while Audigier brings expertise in pyrotechnics and warhead design.

With the new funding, EGIDE plans to accelerate the development of electrically-propelled interceptors and its Mystique operating platform, while expanding its engineering team with top European talent in electric propulsion, aerodynamics, warhead design, and software engineering.

On this announcement, Simon Calonne, Co-founder of EGIDE, said: “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.”

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 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.”

About EGIDE

EGIDE is a defence-tech start-up building the next generation of affordable defence systems. EGIDE is pioneering a shift from scarce, high-cost munitions to intelligent, networked interceptors designed for scale, modularity, and operational resilience across air, maritime and ground missions.