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Helsing

Category: AI in Defense / Aerospace

A software-first company developing an AI-powered platform to process data from military hardware in real-time, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making for democratic nations. Helsing was founded in 2021. The company is led by Torsten Reil, Gundbert Scherf. Based in Munich, Germany (with offices in London, UK and Paris, France). Team size: 900. Total funding raised: €1.37B (~$1.58B). Latest round: Series D (€600M, Jun 2025) at $14B valuation. Key investors include General Catalyst, Prima Materia (Daniel Ek's fund), Saab, Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Greenoaks, Plural.

AMW Analysis

Helsing, founded in Munich in 2021, develops an AI-powered software platform that processes real-time data from military hardware across air, land and sea to give democratic governments an information advantage in defense decision-making. It also produces AI-guided hardware, including the HX-2 strike drone and the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft, targeting 2029 service entry.

The company's news flow shows rapid, successive funding escalation: a €600M Series D in March 2026 valued it at €12B/$12B, followed by a $1.2B round nearing $18B in May, and a $1.8B raise reaching $18B by July, making it Europe's most valuable startup. Deployment signals are mixed. Helsing delivered 4,000 HX-2 drones to Ukraine and saw HX-2 tested by US troops in NATO exercises in Lithuania in June, expanding its footprint toward US military evaluation. However, in January, Ukraine halted further HX-2 orders after reported AI-navigation shortfalls and a 25% launch success rate under electronic warfare conditions, highlighting a gap between the company's funding trajectory and battlefield performance outcomes reported at that time.

AMW analysis, generated from 5 tracked news signals.

Founded
2021
Headquarters
Munich, Germany (with offices in London, UK and Paris, France)
Team size
900
Total funding
€1.37B (~$1.58B)

Value proposition

To provide democratic governments with a decisive information advantage by using advanced artificial intelligence to interpret sensor data from multiple platforms (air, land, sea) in real-time, thereby strengthening their defense capabilities.

Products and solutions

Core AI Platform: An 'operating system' for defense that integrates with existing and new hardware., Electronic Warfare (EW): AI-based capabilities for programs like the Eurofighter jet., Future Combat Air System (FCAS): Providing the core AI infrastructure and backbone for the multi-national program.

Unique value

Helsing is a software and AI-native company in a traditionally hardware-focused industry. Its position as a European company addresses critical data sovereignty and strategic autonomy concerns for European governments, setting it apart from US competitors.

Target customer

Democratic governments and their defense and security agencies.

Industries served

Defense, National Security

Technology advantage

Its core advantage is a software-defined approach, allowing rapid integration and continuous updates to a wide range of defense hardware. This model, combined with strong political support and government contracts, enables it to become deeply embedded in long-term, critical defense programs.

How they differentiate

Helsing differentiates itself by being a European-native company focused purely on software and AI integration, which helps in winning contracts with European governments concerned about strategic autonomy. Unlike competitors like Anduril, which builds both hardware and software, Helsing focuses on being the AI layer for existing and new platforms from various manufacturers.

Main competitors

Anduril Industries, Palantir Technologies, Preligens

Key partnerships

Saab, General Catalyst, Prima Materia, Ukrainian Government, Mistral AI, Loft Orbital, Airbus, ARX Robotics, Grob Aircraft (acquired), Blue Ocean (acquired)

Notable customers

German Federal Ministry of Defence (Bundeswehr), Government of Ukraine

Major milestones

Founded in 2021. Selected to provide AI for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program (2023). Awarded contract with Saab to upgrade the German Eurofighter's electronic warfare capabilities (2023). Active in supporting Ukraine since 2022. Raised €450 million in a Series C round, becoming one of Europe's most valuable defense tech startups (2024). Raised €600M Series D at €12B valuation (Jun 2025). Acquired Grob Aircraft (Jun 2025) and Blue Ocean (Oct 2025). Announced AI partnership with Mistral AI at 2025 AI Action Summit. Conducted 'Project Beyond' AI dogfight trial with Saab Gripen (May-Jun 2025). Awarded €269M Bundeswehr contract for HX-2 loitering munitions (Feb 2026). Reportedly raising $1.2B at $18B valuation led by Dragoneer and Lightspeed (May 2026).

Growth metrics

Reached a valuation of €12 billion ($14B) in June 2025. Grew to approximately 900 employees by 2025. Reported revenue of $10.4M (€9.6M) in 2023 per German annual accounts, up 721% YoY.

Market positioning

Positioned as the leading and most well-funded AI defense startup in Europe, serving as a key partner for major European defense modernization projects.

Geographic focus

Europe (primarily Germany, UK, France) and providing support to Ukraine, with a focus on the NATO Eastern Flank.

Patents and IP

Specific patents are not publicly detailed.

About Torsten Reil, Gundbert Scherf

Torsten Reil, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Helsing, previously founded and led NaturalMotion, a successful gaming and technology company. Gundbert Scherf, also Co-Founder and Co-CEO, was a partner at McKinsey & Company, focusing on the aerospace and defense sector.

Latest news about Helsing

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