Helsing Raises $1.8 Billion in Europe’s Biggest Defense-Startup Round
The Munich-based startup will use the funds to expand from AI weapons software into drones, maritime vessels and other defense hardware.
- On Monday, Munich-based Helsing finalized a $1.8 billion financing round from investors including the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Dragoneer Investment Group LLC, Iconiq, and JPMorgan Chase.
- Formed in 2021 to provide artificial intelligence software for weapons, Helsing now produces drones and maritime vessels, reaching an $18 billion valuation as Europe's largest defense startup.
- Predominantly European-owned, the firm maintains offices in Germany, France, the Baltics, and operates government contracts including a €270 million drone order earlier this year and a €223 million software contract approved this month.
- Helsing previously raised €600 million in June 2025 through Prima Materia, the fund from Spotify Technology founder Daniel, gaining prominence as Russia's invasion of Ukraine accelerated European defense spending.
- Existing investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst, and Plural participated in the latest round, as the startup competes against established defense suppliers for government contracts.
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While companies such as Rheinmetall are weak on the stock market in the armaments industry, startups are celebrating successes. Such as Helsing: US financial giants JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs have just invested in the Munich company.
Helsing raises $1.8bn at an $18bn valuation
Munich’s Helsing has raised $1.8bn at an $18bn valuation, making it Europe’s largest defence startup. The round is a bet on sovereign AI. A lot of the money paying for it is American. Europe’s biggest defence startup just got a lot bigger. On Monday Helsing said it had closed a $1.8bn Series E that values […] This story continues at The Next Web
The company announced on Monday that it had raised $1.8 billion in its sixth round table.
Helsing is once again causing a stir. A financing round makes the armaments company more valuable than competitors such as Hensoldt or Renk. Even a giant like Volkswagen is within reach. But at Helsing, the spirits split.
European AI defense startup Helsing raises $1.8 billion at $18 billion valuation - Tech Startups
The German startup’s latest funding round underscores growing investor confidence in AI-powered defense companies as Europe ramps up spending on military technology and sovereign capabilities. European defense startup Helsing has raised $1.8 billion in fresh funding, pushing its valuation to […] The post European AI defense startup Helsing raises $1.8 billion at $18 billion valuation first appeared on Tech Startups.
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