# Dark: Aviation & aerospace, Paris, France

> Dark: Dark was a Paris-based aerospace and defense startup founded in 2021 by former MBDA engineers Clyde Laheyne and Guillaume Orvain. Based in Paris, France.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/startup/dark (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

France · [Aviation & aerospace startup](https://millionrounds.com/companies)

# Dark

Dark was a Paris-based aerospace and defense startup founded in 2021 by former MBDA engineers Clyde Laheyne and Guillaume Orvain.

Funding reported Last round: Seed

Aviation & aerospace Paris, France

Company summary

- **Founded:** 2022 4 years old
- **Team:** 59 51 to 200 people
- **Funding reported:** 10.9M as listed, currency not stated
- **Last round:** Seed Apr 2024

How sure we are

- ✓ **Listed** We know it exists and what it does
- 2 **Funding reported** A company dataset reports a raise
- 3 **Observed** A filing or a dated announcement confirms a round

No round for Dark has been confirmed by a filing or an announcement yet, so nothing here counts toward an investor's record. [How we decide](https://millionrounds.com/methodology)

## About Dark

Dark was a Paris-based aerospace and defense startup founded in 2021 by former MBDA engineers Clyde Laheyne and Guillaume Orvain.

The company focused on space security and protection, aiming to safeguard humanity's future in space through advanced defense systems. Dark specialized in Active Debris Removal (ADR) and space defense missions, targeting space agencies and commercial satellite operators to mitigate orbital hazards and protect critical infrastructure. The company's flagship product was the Interceptor, a fully autonomous space robot designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It was capable of rapidly launching to de-orbit uncooperative objects, such as space debris and defunct satellites. Dark raised approximately $11 million in funding to develop its platform, with key investors including Eurazeo and Bpifrance. The company ceased operations on October 8, 2025.

## What company datasets say Dark raised

Funding, as reported

Reported in all **10.9M** in the source's currency

Rounds **2**

Last round **Seed**

Last round size **11M**

Last round date **Apr 2024**

Investors listed **4**

## The company, in detail

What they build

Known for

space security emergency debris removal collision avoidance space asset protection mission-critical space systems manufacturing reactive space robot space capability low earth orbit access orbital threat defense system space defense r&d in-orbit inspection rocket bodies retrieval launcher space technology aeronautics

Built with from their website

Google Cloud Google Workspace Google Cloud Hosting Google Meet React Wix Google Cloud DNS Gmail

- **Sector:** Aviation & aerospace
- **Industry code:** NAICS 336414, 541715, SIC 3764
- **Region:** Ile-de-France
- **Full record:** [Every detail in the company directory](https://millionrounds.com/directory/dark-a7faedc1a6)

## Aviation & aerospace in France

Startups like it

- [**HYNAERO SAS** Istres · founded 2023](https://millionrounds.com/startup/hynaero-sas)
- [**FLYING WHALES** Suresnes · founded 2012](https://millionrounds.com/startup/flying-whales)
- [**Infinite Orbits** Toulouse · founded 2017](https://millionrounds.com/startup/infinite-orbits)
- [**Delair** Labege · founded 2011](https://millionrounds.com/startup/delair)
- [**Expliseat** Paris · founded 2011](https://millionrounds.com/startup/expliseat)
- [**Latitude** Reims · founded 2019](https://millionrounds.com/startup/latitude-3)
- [**U-Space** Toulouse · founded 2018](https://millionrounds.com/startup/u-space-3)
- [**Aries Industries** Nantes · founded 2000](https://millionrounds.com/startup/aries-industries)

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