A little-known French software group, Chaps Vision, is positioning itself as the European answer to Palantir as governments across the region aim to reduce reliance on US tech firms. The company won a French government contract in June to replace Palantir at the country’s domestic intelligence agency and is now in talks with EU governments while competing for major German defence and police contracts. Its pitch emphasizes transparency, open architecture, and European sovereignty, contrasting with Palantir’s political ties and operating model.

Chaps Vision’s software does not require the long-term embedded engineers that define Palantir’s approach. Instead, it aims to transfer skills to clients and move on, positioning itself as a software publisher rather than a long-term partner. The French project includes building data infrastructure for all government ministries and about 50 public agencies, serving as a large-scale test case for sovereign digital solutions.

Palantir has faced growing scrutiny in Europe. Germany’s armed forces have excluded it from contracts, while officials in Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland have also sought to uncouple from the US-based group. In the UK, a £330mn NHS deal and a £50mn Metropolitan Police contract have faced significant backlash.

Paris-based Chaps Vision, named after founder Olivier Dellenbach’s children, started in 2019 serving financial services. It has grown to €200mn in annual revenue through nearly 30 acquisitions, building expertise in translation AI, defence software, and semantic search. Backed by Bpifrance, Tikehau, Jolt, and Qalium, it is considering an IPO by the end of the decade. Half its business is public sector; the rest serves firms like Pfizer, LVMH, L’Oréal, Airbus, Safran, Exxon Mobil, Total, and AstraZeneca.

The shift from Palantir to Chaps Vision is seen as a political move, though questions remain about whether it reflects a strategic, long-term digital sovereignty choice.