- Helsing, a German defence AI company, raises €450 million in Series C funding led by General Catalyst.
- Total funding now exceeds $760 million with participation from Elad Gil, Accel, Saab, Lightspeed, Plural, and Greenoaks.
- Active in Ukraine, Helsing co-founded the Defence Manufacturers Alliance with the Ukrainian government.
- Secured major contracts including the German Eurofighter Electronic Warfare upgrade and AI infrastructure for FCAS.
- Funds will boost R&D efforts across defence domains and focus on enhancing European sovereignty.
Main AI News:
Helsing, a leading German defence AI firm, has successfully closed a €450 million Series C funding round, spearheaded by General Catalyst. The financing, which also saw participation from Elad Gil, Accel, Saab, Lightspeed, Plural, and Greenoaks, marks a significant milestone for the company, pushing its total funding to over $760 million.
Founded in 2021, Helsing has carved out a pivotal role in European security, notably in Ukraine where it recently launched the Defence Manufacturers Alliance in collaboration with the Ukrainian government. The company has been instrumental in securing several high-profile government contracts, including the German Eurofighter Electronic Warfare upgrade with strategic partner Saab AB, and the AI infrastructure for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) in conjunction with consortium HIS. Additionally, Helsing has secured numerous classified contracts in maritime and land domains.
Niklas Köhler, Torsten Reil, and Gundbert Scherf, the company’s co-founders, emphasized Helsing’s commitment to enhancing European defence capabilities amidst evolving security challenges. They stated, “European security stands at a critical juncture, and Helsing is poised to empower democratic societies with robust defence solutions. The latest funding round will accelerate our pace, enabling substantial investments in extensive R&D initiatives across all operational domains.”
Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, Managing Director and Head of Europe at General Catalyst, commended Helsing’s strategic focus and rapid execution in bolstering AI-driven defence capabilities. “Since inception, Helsing has demonstrated a remarkable ability to deliver impactful solutions for European democracies,” she noted. “We firmly believe Helsing is poised to achieve global leadership status, particularly as the geopolitical landscape evolves with unprecedented challenges.”
The newly secured funds will primarily support Helsing’s initiatives in product development and R&D, with a strategic emphasis on safeguarding European sovereignty, including critical efforts to fortify the NATO Eastern Flank. The Series C financing round is contingent upon government regulatory approval, underscoring its significance in advancing Helsing’s pivotal role in shaping the future of European defence technology.
Conclusion:
Helsing’s substantial Series C funding underscores its pivotal role in advancing AI-driven defence capabilities across Europe. With robust financial backing and strategic partnerships, Helsing is well-positioned to lead in a rapidly evolving defence technology market, particularly amidst heightened geopolitical tensions. This infusion of capital not only accelerates innovation but also reinforces Helsing’s commitment to safeguarding European security and sovereignty, marking a significant development in the defence sector’s landscape.
