Helsing, valued at around $14 billion after its latest strategic funding round, is a German defence technology company advancing AI-driven systems for battlefield awareness, decision support, and autonomous platforms. Backed by investors including Prima Materia, the company has rapidly expanded its capabilities in defence software, autonomous vehicles, and integrated systems to support modern military needs.
Keep reading to learn how Helsing became one of Europe’s most valuable AI defence startups.
What Is Helsing and What Does It Do?
Founded in 2021, Helsing is a defence technology company based in Munich, Germany, focused on building AI-powered software and autonomous systems for defence applications across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company develops AI-enabled battlefield decision support tools, sensor fusion platforms, and autonomous drones, collaborating with government defence agencies and strategic partners to strengthen technological sovereignty.
How Much Funding Has Helsing Raised?
1. Series D Round
- Amount Raised: ~$600 million
- Date: 2025
- Valuation: ~€12 billion (approx. $14 billion)
- Lead Investor: Prima Materia
- Other Investors: Lightspeed Ventures, Accel, Plural, General Catalyst, SAAB, BDT & MSD Partners
- Purpose: Accelerate defence AI innovation, expand autonomous systems capabilities, and support integrated defence platforms
2. Series C Round
- Amount Raised: ~€450 million
- Date: 2024
- Lead Investors: General Catalyst, Lightspeed Ventures, Accel, Saab, Plural, Greenoaks and others
- Purpose: Scale AI defence technologies, deepen industry partnerships, and support advanced system development
3. Series B Round
- Amount Raised: ~€209 million
- Date: 2023
- Lead Investor: General Catalyst
- Other Investors: Saab and strategic partners
- Purpose: Expand AI defence software offerings and strengthen technology adoption
4. Early Strategic Funding (Series A & Initial)
- Amount Raised: Initial seed and Series A funding including €102.5 million led by Prima Materia
- Date: 2021–2022
- Lead Investors: Prima Materia
- Purpose: Build core defence AI capabilities and foundational software systems
Total Funding Raised: Approximately $2+ billion
Latest Funding Date: 2025
Latest Known Valuation: Around $14 billion
Key Investors
- Prima Materia
- Details: Strategic investment firm founded by Daniel Ek focused on long-term technology leadership
- Focus Areas: Deep tech, AI, defence innovation, and sovereign capability
- Lightspeed Ventures
- Details: Global venture investor supporting early to growth-stage technology companies
- Focus Areas: AI, software platforms, and frontier tech
- Accel
- Details: Venture capital firm backing high-growth technology ventures
- Focus Areas: Enterprise software, AI, and defence-adjacent systems
- General Catalyst
- Details: Growth investment firm participating across multiple rounds
- Focus Areas: Technology, software infrastructure, and long-term ecosystem support
- Plural, SAAB, BDT & MSD Partners
- Details: Strategic and institutional investors backing key financing rounds
- Focus Areas: Defence systems, strategic tech, and autonomous capabilities
Where Is Helsing’s Headquarters?
Helsing is headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, serving as the central hub for its AI defence software development, autonomous systems engineering, and strategic operations across European defence markets.
What’s Next for Helsing?
Helsing plans to continue scaling its AI-driven platforms, expand autonomous vehicle and drone capabilities, and deepen collaborations with defence ministries and industry partners. The company is focused on advancing all-domain defence technologies, enhancing real-time battlefield intelligence, and enabling sovereign capabilities for democratic nations.
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