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Defence AI

Helsing

Europe's leading AI company building a new type of defense system for democratic nations

Helsing AI technology

Overview

Helsing is a European AI defense technology company founded in 2021 (not 2024) that is building a new type of software-defined defense system. The company develops AI-powered systems that transform and analyze data from existing platforms and sensor networks to provide unprecedented situational awareness and decision-making capabilities for democratic armed forces.

With headquarters in Munich, Germany, and significant operations in London, UK, and Paris, France, Helsing has rapidly established itself as one of Europe's most important defense technology companies. Their mission is to provide technological superiority for democratic nations in an increasingly complex and contested global security environment.

The company has gained particular recognition for its work supporting Ukraine's defense efforts, where its AI systems help integrate and analyze data from multiple sensors and platforms to enhance military capabilities against Russian aggression.

Company Details

Headquarters:Munich, Germany
Other locations:London, UK; Paris, France
Industry:Defence Technology, Artificial Intelligence, National Security
Revenue:€85M+ (2023 est.)
Employees:500+
Key customers:German Armed Forces, UK Ministry of Defence, Ukrainian Armed Forces
Founded:2021
Valuation:€2.2B+ (2023)

Mission & Vision

Mission: To build software-defined defense systems for democratic nations that protect freedom, liberty, and human dignity.

Vision: Helsing aims to create a technological advantage for democratic nations through AI-powered defense systems that enhance situational awareness, decision-making, and operational capabilities across all domains.

The company is driven by the belief that democratic nations must maintain technological superiority in defense to preserve peace, security, and shared values in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. Their work is guided by strong ethical principles and a commitment to responsible AI development.

Core Values

  • Defending democracy and human dignity
  • Rigorous engineering excellence
  • Responsible AI development
  • Collaborative innovation with defense partners
  • Transparency within security constraints

Products & Solutions

Helsing's AI-powered products and solutions focus on transforming existing defense platforms and sensor networks into highly capable, integrated systems that provide superior situational awareness and decision-making support.

Platform Integration System

An AI-powered system that integrates multiple sensor inputs from existing military platforms (aircraft, vehicles, vessels) to create a comprehensive operational picture with enhanced detection and classification capabilities.

Autonomous Systems Framework

Advanced AI for next-generation autonomous and semi-autonomous aircraft, providing enhanced mission capabilities while maintaining appropriate human oversight.

Multi-Domain Intelligence Analysis

Real-time processing and analysis of multi-source intelligence data, helping commanders make faster, better-informed decisions in complex operational environments.

Electronic Warfare Enhancement

AI-driven electronic warfare capabilities that improve detection, classification, and response to electromagnetic threats in contested environments.

All Helsing products are designed with robust security measures, ethical considerations, and the flexibility to integrate with existing defense infrastructure, maximizing the capabilities of current platforms while enabling future technological advancements.

Technology

Helsing's technological approach centers on creating software-defined defense systems that leverage advanced AI to transform defense capabilities. Their technology stack combines cutting-edge machine learning, computer vision, sensor fusion, and edge computing to process vast amounts of data in real-time, even in degraded or contested environments.

Core Technological Capabilities

  • Advanced Sensor Fusion - Integrating data from multiple sensors (radar, electro-optical, infrared, electronic support measures) across platforms to create a unified operational picture
  • Real-time AI Processing - Low-latency, high-performance processing of complex data streams in challenging operational environments with limited connectivity
  • Autonomous Systems Architecture - Software frameworks that enable varying levels of autonomous operation while maintaining appropriate human control
  • Multi-domain Integration - Connecting air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains through unified data processing and decision support systems
  • Adaptive Machine Learning - Systems that continuously improve through operational use while maintaining robustness and reliability

A key differentiator of Helsing's approach is their focus on developing AI systems that can be deployed on existing platforms, significantly enhancing capabilities without requiring completely new hardware infrastructure. This allows for rapid deployment and iterative improvement based on operational feedback.

The company maintains rigorous security standards and has developed specialized approaches to training and validating AI models using both synthetic and real-world data while meeting stringent military requirements for reliability and performance.

Leadership Team

Torsten Reil

Co-Founder & CEO

Serial entrepreneur with a background in AI and computational neuroscience. Previously founded and led NaturalMotion, an AI animation company acquired by Zynga for $527M.

Gundbert Scherf

Co-Founder & President

Former McKinsey partner and advisor to the German Ministry of Defense with expertise in defense policy, security, and digital transformation.

Dr. Artur Klujszo

Chief Technology Officer

Expert in software architecture and AI systems with extensive experience in building large-scale technical solutions for complex environments.

Nick Baird

Chairman

Former UK diplomat with extensive experience in international relations, security policy, and government affairs.

Helsing's leadership team combines expertise from technology, defense, government, and business sectors, providing a multidisciplinary approach to addressing complex defense challenges. The company has also assembled an advisory board of former military leaders, defense experts, and technology pioneers to guide its strategic direction.

Impact & Work with Ukraine

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Helsing has been actively supporting Ukrainian defense efforts through the deployment of its AI systems and technical expertise. This work has provided a real-world demonstration of how advanced AI can enhance military capabilities in high-intensity conflict scenarios.

Helsing's systems have been instrumental in helping Ukrainian forces maximize the effectiveness of their existing platforms and sensor networks, allowing for better detection, classification, and response to threats in a highly contested environment. This support extends across multiple domains, including:

  • Enhanced sensor integration for improved situational awareness
  • AI-assisted target recognition and classification
  • Electronic warfare support systems
  • Integration of diverse NATO and Soviet-era platforms

Beyond Ukraine, Helsing's technology is contributing to the modernization of European defense capabilities, helping NATO allies enhance their defense posture through software-defined upgrades to existing systems. This approach enables rapid capability enhancement without the lengthy procurement cycles typically associated with new defense platforms.

Strategic Impact

Helsing's work represents a paradigm shift in European defense technology development, demonstrating that European companies can develop cutting-edge AI defense capabilities that:

  • Enhance existing platforms through software-defined improvements
  • Provide strategic technological autonomy for European nations
  • Deploy rapidly to respond to emerging threats
  • Foster closer integration between European defense capabilities

Funding & Growth

Helsing has experienced rapid growth since its founding in 2021, securing substantial funding from top-tier investors who recognize the strategic importance of its mission and technology.

November 2021

€102.5 million Series A

Led by Prima Materia, the investment firm of Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek, who committed €100 million to the round. Additional investors included Spotify CEO Daniel Ek personally.

September 2022

€103 million Series B

Led by General Catalyst, with participation from La Famiglia, 468 Capital, and Prima Materia, valuing the company at over €1 billion.

December 2023

€209 million Series C

Led by General Catalyst with participation from existing investors, valuing the company at approximately €2.2 billion.

This substantial funding has enabled Helsing to:

  • Expand its team to over 500 employees across multiple European offices
  • Accelerate research and development of its core AI technologies
  • Establish partnerships with major defense contractors and manufacturers
  • Deploy its systems in operational environments, including support for Ukraine
  • Invest in secure infrastructure and specialized AI development environments

The company's valuation has grown significantly since its founding, reflecting both market confidence in its technology and growing recognition of the strategic importance of AI in defense applications.

Careers at Helsing

Helsing is rapidly expanding its team across Europe, seeking talented individuals who share their mission of strengthening democratic nations through advanced AI technology. The company offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge defense technology with real-world impact.

Key areas of recruitment

  • AI/ML engineers and researchers
  • Software engineers (backend, frontend, embedded)
  • Systems engineers with defense experience
  • Hardware integration specialists
  • DevOps and platform engineering
  • Cybersecurity experts
  • Program managers with defense sector experience
  • Business development and government affairs specialists

The company culture emphasizes technical excellence, mission focus, and collaborative innovation. Many team members come from backgrounds in defense, technology companies, research institutions, and government organizations, creating a diverse and multidisciplinary environment.

Helsing offers competitive compensation packages, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to work on technology with significant geopolitical importance. Most roles require EU/UK citizenship due to security requirements.

Latest News

March 2024

Helsing partners with European defense manufacturer for next-generation fighter program

The company announced a strategic partnership to integrate its AI systems into a major European fighter aircraft development program, enhancing autonomous capabilities while maintaining human control.

February 2024

Helsing expands Ukraine support with new AI capabilities

The company deployed enhanced AI systems to support Ukrainian defense forces, helping to improve situational awareness and response capabilities in contested environments.

January 2024

New R&D center opened in Paris, France

Helsing established a new research and development facility in Paris, strengthening its presence in France and expanding its European footprint. The company plans to hire 150 engineers and researchers at this location.

December 2023

€209 million Series C funding round completed

Helsing announced the completion of its €209 million Series C funding round led by General Catalyst, valuing the company at approximately €2.2 billion and establishing it as one of Europe's leading defense technology unicorns.

Strategic Partnerships

Helsing has established strategic partnerships with key defense industry players, government agencies, and research institutions to accelerate the development and deployment of its AI systems:

Airbus Defence and Space

Collaboration on integrating Helsing's AI systems into Airbus military aircraft and sensor platforms, enhancing their capabilities through software-defined improvements.

FCAS Program

Involvement in the Future Combat Air System, a European program developing next-generation fighter aircraft with advanced autonomous capabilities.

German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr)

Strategic partnership to modernize German military capabilities through AI-enhanced systems and training programs for military personnel.

UK Ministry of Defence

Collaboration on developing next-generation AI capabilities for British defense systems and infrastructure.

These partnerships are central to Helsing's approach of working closely with end-users and platform manufacturers to ensure their technology addresses real operational needs and integrates seamlessly with existing systems.

Future Outlook

As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape the global security landscape, Helsing is positioned at the forefront of a technological transformation in European defense capabilities. The company's focus on AI-powered, software-defined systems represents a strategic shift in how democratic nations approach defense technology development.

Looking ahead, Helsing is focused on several key strategic priorities:

  • Expanding deployment of its AI systems across European armed forces
  • Accelerating integration with next-generation platforms and systems
  • Deepening capabilities in autonomous systems while maintaining appropriate human control
  • Enhancing cross-platform interoperability among NATO allies
  • Continuing support for Ukraine's defense technology needs

The company's rapid growth trajectory is expected to continue as European nations increase defense spending and prioritize technological sovereignty in response to evolving security challenges. Helsing's approach of enhancing existing platforms through software-defined improvements offers a cost-effective and rapidly deployable solution that aligns with these priorities.

Strategic Vision

Helsing aims to become the defining European defense technology company, helping to secure the technological advantage of democratic nations through AI-powered systems that:

  • Transform existing platforms into highly capable, integrated systems
  • Enable a more agile, responsive, and effective defense posture
  • Maintain human control while leveraging the advantages of AI
  • Promote European strategic autonomy in defense technology

Updated: April 2024