Paris Startup's AI Agents Are Rewriting the Rules of Penetration Testing

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-05

Imagine a security team that never sleeps, constantly probing your systems for weaknesses. That's the promise of Fleuret AI, a Paris-based cybersecurity startup that just raised €4 million (about $4.3 million) to make continuous penetration testing a reality. The pre-Seed round, led by RAISE Ventures, signals growing confidence in AI-driven offensive security. ### Why Continuous Pentesting Matters Traditional penetration testing is like a yearly physical: it gives you a snapshot, but your health can change the next day. Companies deploy new code daily, yet security audits remain point-in-time. Fleuret's platform flips that model, using AI agents to continuously map your attack surface, find vulnerabilities, and even prove they're exploitable. Under regulations like NIS2, more organizations must demonstrate robust security. One-off audits just don't cut it anymore. Fleuret's approach aligns with this shift, offering always-on testing that adapts as your systems evolve. ### Meet Emile and Champollion: Your AI Pentesters Fleuret's secret sauce? Two AI agents named Emile and Champollion. They work in tandem to: - Map your environment, including applications, APIs, and infrastructure. - Identify vulnerabilities and attempt to exploit them. - Provide proof of compromise for every finding. - Prioritize fixes based on exploitability. - Integrate with your existing engineering tools. - Automatically re-test to verify fixes. It's like having a red team on standby 24/7, without the hefty consulting fees. ### The Brains Behind the Operation Founded in 2026 by Yanis Grigy (CEO) and Augustin Ponsin (CTO), Fleuret combines deep offensive security expertise with cutting-edge AI. The team of about ten people already counts Brevo, Stoïk, and Yogosha as customers. Their ambition is clear: make offensive security accessible to every company, not just those with deep pockets. > "We do not simply want to automate penetration testing as it exists today. Our ambition is to build the offensive security layer that will keep companies secure all year round, whatever their size." — Yanis Grigy, CEO and co-founder ### What This Means for Your Business If you're running a startup or managing security for an enterprise, Fleuret's approach could be a game-changer. Continuous pentesting means you're not just checking a box for compliance; you're actively staying ahead of attackers. And with AI handling the heavy lifting, you can focus on fixing issues rather than finding them. The funding will help Fleuret hire top AI, software engineering, and offensive security talent, and accelerate platform development. With backing from cybersecurity heavyweights like RAISE Ventures, Auriga Cyber Ventures, and angels from Stoïk, GitGuardian, and Vade, Fleuret is poised to become Europe's reference in offensive security. ### The Bigger Picture AI has democratized cyberattacks, putting powerful tools in everyone's hands. To defend effectively, organizations must test against every attack technique, including the newest. Fleuret's platform evolves continuously, staying a step ahead of attackers. It's not just about finding vulnerabilities; it's about proving they're exploitable and ensuring they get fixed. As the threat landscape grows more complex, solutions like Fleuret's could become essential for businesses of all sizes. And with a European ambition from day one, they're not just solving a local problem—they're setting a new standard for global security.