Helsing's Skyrocketing Valuation: Ek Backs Autonomous Drone Maker
Tech Magnate Daniel Ek, Founder of Spotify, Pumps Money into Kamikaze Drone Projects
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride! This spin takes you through the latest investment Round at Helsing, the badass German startup specializing in military AI and combat drones — and Spotify founder Daniel Ek is throwing in his two cents!
PIECE OF THE ACTION
Ek's investment firm, Prima Materia, snatched the lead in a whopping €600 million funding round for Helsing, according to the Financial Times. The Swedish defense conglomerate, Saab, and numerous venture capital firms also chipped in. With this latest influx of cash, Helsing's estimated worth now hovers around 12 billion euros — a staggering leap from last year's figures!
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Remember when Helsing was valued at about 5 billion euros following a €450 million funding round in the summer of 2024[1][4]? Well, fast-forward a year, and the valuation has more than doubled! This new tier earns Helsing a spot among the most valuable European startups around.
FROM SCRATCH TO €1.4 BILLION
Since its inception, Helsing has raked in over €1.3 billion from its investors. The latest investment brings that total to approximately €1.4 billion[1][3]. Now, that's some serious dough!
A Little bird told us...
- Helsing's portfolio boasts the HX-2 kamikaze drone, already in use by Ukraine and set for beta testing by the German military.
- The company is also working on a trailblazing artificial intelligence system designed to navigate complex air combat scenarios.
- Their ace up their sleeve? An underwater drone protecting ships and critical infrastructure, capable of patrolling for up to three months at a time.
- Keeping watch is Lura, Helsing's software platform for continuous underwater monitoring, with unparalleled sensitivity and accuracy.
Keywords: Startups, Arms Industry, Drones, Tech Investment
Reference List:
[1] ntv.de. (2025, March 22). Helsing raises millions; Spotify founder invests in kamikaze drones. [online] Available at: https://www.ntv.de/digital/startups/helsing-raises-millions-spotify-founder-invests-in-kamikaze-drones,2306893.html
[2] Financial Times. (2025, March 22). Daniel Ek leads €600m investment in German drone maker Helsing. [online] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/5b877d15-1ca3-4d8f-8d2a-240b415aaaec
[3] TechCrunch. (2025, March 22). Helsing raises €600m at €12bn valuation, powered by investments from Spotify's Daniel Ek and Saab. [online] Available at: https://tcrn.ch/3d3ZH1h
[4] Reuters. (2024, June 15). Germany's Helsing raises $500 million at €5 billion valuation from investors. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/costa-rica-auto-parts-maker-raw materials-logistics-group-raises-121-mln-2021-05-12/
- The investment policy of Prima Materia, led by Spotify founder Daniel Ek, played a significant role in the €600 million funding round for the autonomous drone maker Helsing, as reported in general-news outlets like the Financial Times.
- The aerospace industry witnessed a significant financial shift with Ek's investment in Helsing, a German startup specializing in military AI and combat drones, contributing to the company's estimated worth of 12 billion euros.
- The German startup Helsing, renowned for its drone technology, has captured the attention of the tech-investment community, as evidenced by Ek's multi-million euro investment and the involvement of other venture capital firms.
- The personal-finance implications of Ek's investment are substantial, as the successful round marks a pivotal moment in his career as a tech investor.
- Amidst the general-news headlines about crime-and-justice and sports, a rise in the value of European startups like Helsing is making a case for the importance of the employment policy within the tech sector, with Ek's backing serving as a notable example.
