Spotify CEO Daniel Ek Leads $648M Investment in AI Defense Startup Helsing

Daniel Ek, CEO of Spotify, has orchestrated a $648 million investment in Helsing, a Munich-based AI defense startup, through his investment firm Prima Materia. The funding round values Helsing at an estimated $13 billion, underscoring its rapid ascent in Europe''s military technology sector.

Helsing specializes in AI-driven battlefield analytics, integrating data from sensors, radar systems, and weapon platforms to deliver real-time combat visualizations. The company is also venturing into hardware development, including strike drones and autonomous submarines, as part of Europe''s broader defense modernization efforts.

The investment reflects growing European interest in defense tech amid escalating geopolitical tensions. While ethical concerns persist about AI''s role in warfare, governments and investors continue to prioritize technological advancements in the sector.