TL;DR
Harmattan AI, a French defense technology startup founded in 2024, raised $200 million in a Series B round led by Dassault Aviation and is now valued at $1.4 billion. The company plans to scale manufacturing, expand its product set for drone interception, electronic warfare and ISR, and develop embedded AI for Dassault’s future Rafale jets and drones.
What happened
Harmattan AI, which was founded in 2024 to build autonomy and mission-system software for defense aircraft, closed a $200 million Series B led by Dassault Aviation and now carries a $1.4 billion valuation. The company said the deal includes a partnership to develop sovereign, scalable embedded AI capabilities for future generations of Rafale jets and associated drones. Harmattan plans to use the funds to broaden its product offering into areas such as drone interception, electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and to ramp up manufacturing of its platforms. The startup had already secured a multi-million-dollar contract from a NATO government and previously raised about $42 million from earlier rounds led by Atlantic and FirstMark, among other investors. The funding and partnership have drawn public praise in France and are accompanied by a push to exhibit internationally and grow the company’s U.S. presence.
Why it matters
- A major defense prime (Dassault Aviation) leading the round signals stronger ties between startups and established defense manufacturers.
- Embedding sovereign AI into combat aircraft could shift how air systems are developed and upgraded, prioritizing scalable software stacks.
- Rising demand for counter-drone, EW and ISR solutions — highlighted by recent conflicts — creates commercial momentum for specialized defense AI firms.
- A $1.4B valuation makes Harmattan a rare European defense unicorn, potentially influencing investor interest in military-focused tech across NATO-aligned markets.
Key facts
- Series B raised: $200 million led by Dassault Aviation.
- Post-money valuation reported at $1.4 billion.
- Company founded in 2024 and builds autonomy and mission-system software for defense aircraft.
- Planned focus areas include embedded AI for Rafales and drones, drone interception, electronic warfare, and ISR.
- Harmattan previously won a multi-million-U.S.-dollar contract from a NATO government for AI-enabled small drones.
- Prior funding totaled about $42 million, including a seed round led by Atlantic and a Series A led by FirstMark; other backers include Motier Ventures and Sisyphus Ventures.
- Harmattan has announced a partnership with Russian drone maker Skyeton.
- The company intends to scale manufacturing and expand internationally, including exhibiting at the World Defense Show and growing its U.S. team.
- French president Emmanuel Macron publicly praised the funding and its implications for strategic autonomy.
What to watch next
- Progress and concrete deliverables from the Dassault-Harmattan collaboration on embedded AI for future Rafales and drones.
- Harmattan’s announced manufacturing ramp-up and timelines for scaling production of its interception, EW and ISR platforms.
- Expansion into international markets, including performance at the World Defense Show and growth of the company’s U.S. team.
Quick glossary
- Series B: A later-stage venture capital funding round intended to help a startup scale its operations, product development and market reach.
- Valuation: The estimated worth of a company based on the price investors pay for its shares in a funding round.
- ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance): A set of activities and systems used to collect and analyze information about adversary forces, terrain and other operational factors.
- Embedded AI: Artificial intelligence systems integrated directly into hardware or platforms to run locally rather than relying solely on external or cloud processing.
- Defense prime: A large, established defense contractor that typically leads major military procurement programs and integrates systems from multiple suppliers.
Reader FAQ
How much did Harmattan AI raise and who led the round?
Harmattan AI raised $200 million in a Series B round led by Dassault Aviation.
What is the company’s valuation after the funding?
The company is reported to be valued at $1.4 billion following the Series B.
What will the funding be used for?
Harmattan says it will extend its product offering into new domains such as drone interception, electronic warfare and ISR, and scale manufacturing.
Does Harmattan have government or international customers?
The company reported a multi-million-U.S.-dollar contract with a NATO government; broader export plans are indicated but specific buyers beyond that are not confirmed in the source.
Is Harmattan partnering with other companies or countries?
The company has a stated partnership with Dassault Aviation and has announced a partnership with Russian drone maker Skyeton; further partnership details are not confirmed in the source.
French defense tech company Harmattan AI is rising almost as fast as the supersonic planes of its new backer. Founded in 2024, the company is now valued at $1.4 billion…
Sources
- Harmattan AI raises $200M Series B led by Dassault Aviation, becomes defense unicorn
- Techmeme
- freshnews – fresh tech news from around the web
- AllTop.com – Popular News Sites for Any Topic
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