Funding

Germany Helsing Defence Tech Startup Secures €600M In Series D Round

Jun 18, 2025 | By Kailee Rainse

Helsing, a defence tech startup based in Germany, has raised €600 million in a Series D round, boosting its valuation to €12 billion.

SUMMARY

  • Helsing, a defence tech startup based in Germany, has raised €600 million in a Series D round, boosting its valuation to €12 billion.

The round was led by Spotify founder Daniel Ek through his investment firm, Prima Materia, which first invested in Helsing in 2021.

This funding makes Helsing one of Europe’s highest-valued startups and reflects the growing investor interest in defence technology.

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Other investors in the round include existing backers like Lightspeed Ventures, Accel, Plural, General Catalyst, and SAAB, along with new investor BDT & MSD Partners.

In a shortly worded press release, Ek said: “Helsing is uniquely positioned with its AI leadership to deliver these critical capabilities in all-domain defence innovation.

"By doubling down on our investment, Prima Materia reaffirms its commitment to empowering Europe’s technological sovereignty—an ambition Helsing perfectly embodies.

“As Europe rapidly strengthens its defence capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges, there is an urgent need for investments in advanced technologies that ensure its strategic autonomy and security readiness."

Helsing last raised €450 million in a Series C round in 2024, bringing its total funding to around $1.36 billion.

Founded in 2021, Helsing builds AI-powered defence technologies aimed at protecting democratic nations.

Since 2022, the company has been active in Ukraine, supporting frontline operations with its technology and on-the-ground personnel.

Its software-first approach and strong industry partnerships have driven fast adoption across the defence sector.

About Helsing

Founded in 2021, Helsing was created to bring AI to the defence of democratic nations. The company works closely with governments and industry partners to develop advanced systems that use AI and autonomy to deliver scalable, sovereign, and cost-effective defence solutions.

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