Elistair has successfully secured €5 million in funding to propel its global expansion efforts. This french company, known for its tethered drone systems, generates over 40% of its revenue from the United States. With the establishment of a new subsidiary in Boston, Elistair plans to enhance its production capabilities, solidifying its presence in the American market while also strengthening its operations in Europe.
As its inception in 2014,Elistair’s innovative solutions have been utilized by military and national security agencies across more than 65 nations. Their product lineup features the Orion 2 automated tethered drone and tether stations that convert conventional drones into persistent surveillance platforms.
The Orion 2 drone serves as an aerial observation tower, capable of detecting vehicles from distances exceeding 6 miles. This substantially broadens the operational field of view for ground forces, minimizing vulnerable access points. The system delivers clear, real-time intelligence, which is crucial for border monitoring and securing perimeters during events. Additionally, it can facilitate the establishment of tactical communication networks, thereby enhancing the range and coverage of military radio systems.
Elistair’s micro-tether technology addresses the challenge of limited drone battery life. By connecting to a generator or the electrical grid, the micro-tether provides continuous power to the drone, enabling it to operate for 24 hours without interruption. This setup also ensures secure data transmission between the drone and its operator,preventing camera feed saturation and safeguarding against hacking and othre forms of interference.
The company is also initiating a recruitment drive to hire approximately 20 new employees for its facilities in Lyon and Boston. This effort aims to maintain its foundational approach, which combines technological advancement with practical field knowledge, supported by a diverse R&D team that includes former defence personnel from the Royal Air Force, Navy SEALs, and the French Navy.
Guilhem de Marliave, CEO of Elistair, stated, “Our tethered drones significantly enhance the situational awareness of ground units, which is frequently enough a critical element during operations.This funding round will enable us to strengthen our product offerings for the national security and defense sectors and manage the significant influx of orders we have received recently.”
Timothée Penet, CTO of Elistair, added, “We aim to expedite the industrialization of our manufacturing processes and expand our R&D capabilities. Our technological roadmap is focused on developing the next generation of tethered drones that can adapt to various scenarios and conditions.We will also enhance the intelligence and automation of our solutions.”
fabien Collangettes, Venture Capital Principal at Omnes, remarked, “Elistair is a prominent player in the tethered drone sector, which, while still emerging, is experiencing rapid growth. Guilhem and Timothée have shown remarkable execution capabilities from the beginning,and the company exhibits an exceptional level of business maturity after just a few years. This funding will bolster their technological leadership,and we are excited to witness the upcoming innovations they will introduce to the market.”
