Spotify CEO Daniel Ek Leads €600M Investment in European Defense Tech Giant Helsing

In a major push toward strengthening Europe’s defense tech sector, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has led a massive €600 million funding round in Helsing, a Munich-based defense technology company. The investment, made through Ek’s firm Prima Materia, brings Helsing’s valuation to an impressive €12 billion, making it one of the most valuable private tech companies in Europe.

Founded just four years ago, Helsing uses artificial intelligence to modernize warfare. Its main product processes data from military sensors, radars, and weapons systems to create real-time visualizations of the battlefield. The company aims to replace outdated systems like hand-drawn maps with cutting-edge digital tools that can be accessed by soldiers on the front line or from command centers miles away.

Beyond AI software, Helsing is now building its own defense hardware, including strike drones, aircraft, and unmanned mini submarines for naval surveillance.

This funding round reflects Europe’s increasing urgency to build its own strategic military capabilities, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump. European leaders are now investing heavily in AI-driven defense technology.

Alongside Ek, investors like Accel, Lightspeed Ventures, General Catalyst, and Saab also participated in the funding. Helsing has raised a total of €1.37 billion to date.