Paris’ Rift raises €4.6 million to build Europe’s first on-demand aerial reconnaissance network

Rift, a French DeepTech company, has secured €4.6 million in funding to establish Europe's first on-demand aerial intelligence network, demonstrating a commitment to European digital sovereignty. This initiative aims to provide real-time reconnaissance capabilities for public safety and critical infrastructure, addressing the need for a resilient aerial intelligence infrastructure. The project underscores the growing importance of independent European technology solutions. The funding round includes €3 million in equity from AlleyCorp and OVNI Capital, supplemented by €1.6 million in public funding. Rift's technology integrates long-endurance VTOL drones, autonomous deployment stations, and the proprietary RiftOS software platform. This "Surveillance-as-a-Service" model promises to reduce costs and operational complexity compared to traditional methods. The development of Rift's aerial intelligence network will impact public safety agencies, infrastructure operators, and potentially the defense sector. The project emphasizes reduced costs and operational complexity, while also enhancing security. This initiative aligns with the broader European trend of investing in autonomous drone technologies and strengthening technological sovereignty. With a focus on sovereign infrastructure, Rift aims to offer a cost-effective alternative to existing aerial surveillance methods. This is part of a larger trend, with other European startups in the aerial intelligence sector having secured significant funding. These include Quantum Systems, Voliro, Orbotix, and Monopulse, which together total approximately €187 million in funding.