Munich-based defense tech startup Helsing has raised €600 million in a Series D round led by Daniel Ek’s Prima Materia.
This brings the defense tech startup’s total funding to over €1 billion, following its €450 million Series C in July 2024.
Scaling AI capabilities across all domains
Founded in 2021 by Gundbert Scherf, Niklas Köhler, and Torsten Reil, the company develops AI-powered defense solutions spanning air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The company aims to boost European strategic autonomy through sovereign, advanced military technologies.
Advertisement
Backed by major investors
Existing investors including Lightspeed Ventures, Accel, Plural, General Catalyst, and SAAB returned for the round. New investor BDT & MSD Partners also joined.
Strategic backing from Spotify Co-Founder
Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek, who also chairs Helsing, emphasized the need for European countries to develop homegrown defense technologies. “The company is uniquely positioned with its AI leadership to deliver critical capabilities,” Ek said.
Europe’s defense tech accelerates
The raise highlights the urgency of strengthening European defense infrastructure amid global instability. The firm’s ability to attract such significant capital reflects both market demand and investor confidence in its leadership and vision.
