Munich-based startup Alpine Eagle, specializing in defense technology, has received €10.25 million in seed funding to enhance its air-to-air counter-drone system. The company focuses on advancing autonomous warfare strategies by integrating artificial intelligence and sensor technologies into its Sentinel product. As drone threats become more sophisticated, the company aims to provide reliable countermeasures to military and governmental entities. With increasing global security concerns, the demand for such defense solutions continues to grow.
Previous investments in Alpine Eagle have supported its early development, and now, fresh funding from IQ Capital, HTGF, Expeditions Fund, and Sentris Capital, along with existing investors General Catalyst and HCVC, aims to expand its operational capabilities. Over the past year, the company has secured contracts, including agreements with the German military, and has reported significant revenue growth. This latest funding round focuses on scaling production and expanding into international markets.
How does Alpine Eagle’s technology work?
Alpine Eagle has developed a software-driven counter-drone system that employs machine learning, advanced sensors, and computer vision to detect, classify, and neutralize airborne threats. The Sentinel-OS Counter-UAS software is designed to integrate with various hardware platforms, allowing flexibility in deployment. The system supports active and passive threat detection, providing early warnings in high-risk environments.
The company is also working on interception technology capable of neutralizing drones in real time. This includes defensive swarm functions that adapt to evolving threat patterns. The primary goal is to develop cost-effective, scalable solutions that can be used in military and civilian applications.
Why is drone defense becoming more critical?
The rapid increase in low-cost, autonomous drones has created new security challenges, necessitating adaptive countermeasures. Governments and defense organizations seek solutions that can operate in contested airspace, providing effective responses to evolving threats. Alpine Eagle aims to address these concerns by providing a system that enhances resilience in the face of drone warfare.
Major General Rupert Jones highlighted the importance of collaboration between European defense startups and governments, stating,
“The character of war is changing at an extraordinary pace, not least due to the proliferation of unmanned systems. Threats are growing and evolving every day. European Defence startups, like Alpine Eagle, are at the forefront of technical and capability developments. It is vital that European governments collaborate with them to accelerate the growth of a resilient European Defence industry.”
With the backing of European venture capital firms, Alpine Eagle is positioning itself as a key provider of airborne counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) solutions. Alexandre Flamant, Partner at HCVC, commented,
“From a pre-seed pitch less than two years ago to winning contracts with the German Army, we’re proud to continue backing this European defence story. These Dutch-German founders, bolstered by pan-European funds, are delivering a cost-efficient airborne C-UAS to deter modern drone threats.”
The company has grown rapidly since its inception, securing defense contracts and expanding its workforce. The new funding will facilitate broader hiring efforts, increasing the team to over 40 employees, and supporting international expansion. The company’s leadership sees this as an opportunity to strengthen European defense capabilities.
Co-founder and CEO Jan-Hendrik Boelens discussed the urgency of improving drone defense technology, stating,
“It took around 50 years to get from the biplanes used in WW1 to modern fighter jets. Yet, with the development of technology and low-cost hardware, it will take less than five years before we see fully automated drone-on-drone engagements.”
As drone warfare evolves, demand for effective countermeasures is expected to grow. Alpine Eagle’s expansion efforts reflect the increasing recognition of autonomous threats and the need for scalable defense solutions. The company’s focus on interoperability and cost efficiency may position it as a valuable player in the sector.
