French defense tech startup Alta Ares is expanding its European footprint by establishing a presence in Greece, aiming to tap into the Balkan market and deepen partnerships in Southeastern Europe.
The company, which develops AI-powered video analysis software for drones and surveillance systems, processes real-time footage to detect military objects and threats – without relying on cloud or network connectivity.
“Europe is currently facing more challenges than ever, and we believe defense innovation must be pan-European,” said Hadrien Canter, CEO and co-founder of Alta Ares and a former drone pilot.
Having a presence in western Europe (Paris), eastern Europe (Ukraine), and now southeastern Europe (Greece) is a strategic move,” Canter noted.
Alta Ares recently raised €2 million from French defense investors and Greek fund Apeiron Ventures, co-founded by Dimitris Kalavros Gousios and Nikos Antoniou. The company will open offices in Athens in September, aiming to collaborate with local defense tech firms.
The startup made its debut on the battlefield in Ukraine and now works closely with NATO, including participation in a live project with the French army. Alta Ares also won the NATO Innovation Challenge 2025 for its glide bomb detection system and previously partnered with Thales, its first paying customer.
“We’re not here to replace anyone – we want to strengthen existing defense systems through AI and real-time data analysis,” Canter noted.