Helsing Soars High: Spotify Mogul Backs Deadly Drones Pioneer
Tech magnate Daniel Ek, the brains behind Spotify, dives into backing kamikaze drones' development.
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the world of defense tech! The German startup, Helsing, has just received a staggering €600 million investment, taking its value to a massive €12 billion. And who's leading this funding round? None other than Spotify's co-founder Daniel Ek!
Insight: Helsing, a Munich-based defense technology powerhouse, has soared among Europe's most valuable private tech companies, positioning itself as a top-tier contender.
Spotify's Daniel Ek, through his investment firm Prima Materia, has been the driving force behind this record-breaking funding round. Furthermore, Swedish defense conglomerate Saab and a few smart venture capitalists have also poured fresh capital into Helsing.
It's Time to Fly: Helsing's flagship project is the autonomous strike drone, HX-2, already in use by Ukraine and set to undergo testing by the German military. The company is also developing AI that can control a combat aircraft in intricate air combat scenarios. And just a few days ago, a Saab fighter jet controlled by Helsing's AI "Centaur" showcased its mettle against a human-piloted plane in simulated battles, although no clear winner was declared.
But wait, there's more! Helsing's underwater drone is designed to secure ships and critical infrastructure. This bad boy can patrol for an impressive three months at a stretch, constantly on the hunt for underwater threats. The company has also launched Lura, a software platform connected to the drone system for continuous underwater surveillance. This groundbreaking technology boasts unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy in locating and identifying ships and submarines.
Put to the Test: With this latest investment, Helsing is now worth €12 billion according to the Financial Times. This figures triples its value in just a year, thrusting the military AI and combat drone specialist into the elite club of Europe's most valuable tech startups.
Since its inception, Helsing has drawn €1.37 billion from its investors. Daniel Ek told a leading newspaper, "The world is being tested in more ways than ever before," adding that this has accelerated the timeline for financing Helsing. He believes the war in Ukraine highlights the growing significance of artificial intelligence in warfare, noting, "We can't overstate its impact on this war or any other conflict in the future."
Sources: ntv.de, jga/rts/dpa
- Start-ups
- Arms Industry
- Drones
- Artificial Intelligence
- The community policy of the investment firm Prima Materia, led by Spotify's co-founder Daniel Ek, has played a significant role in the record-breaking funding of the defense technology startup Helsing.
- In the realm of business and finance, investing in Helsing, a pioneer in artificial-intelligence-powered combat drones and underwater security drones, presents a promising opportunity for those seeking higher returns.
- The employment policy of Helsing extends beyond the defense industry, reaching into the fields of technology, AI, and software development, creating job opportunities for professionals in these sectors.
- The arms industry, specifically combat drone specialist Helsing, has gained political interest as the implications of artificial intelligence in miltary applications become more evident, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine.
- In the general-news and sports-betting spheres, the performance of Helsing's AI "Centaur" in simulated air combat battles against human-piloted planes has sparked discussions, possibly leading to new betting markets focused on AI-driven technology in sports and beyond.
