Spotify’s Daniel Ek just bet bigger on Helsing, Europe’s defense tech darling

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has led a €600 million investment round in Helsing, a Munich-based defense technology company now valued at €3 billion, making it one of Europe’s most valuable private firms. Helsing, founded four years ago, specializes in AI-driven battlefield visualization software that integrates data from military sensors, radars, and weapons systems to provide real-time, intuitive situational awareness across various military units. The company has expanded beyond software to develop strike drones, aircraft, and unmanned mini submarines aimed at enhancing naval surveillance. This investment reflects a broader European push to build strategic autonomy in defense amid growing geopolitical tensions, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and shifting U.S. defense policies under former President Trump. European governments are increasingly prioritizing digital and AI-driven military capabilities, moving away from traditional hardware like planes and tanks. Helsing’s funding round, backed by investors including Lightspeed Ventures, Accel, and Saab, is part of a larger defense tech boom in Europe, signaling a shift toward self