Helsing, a five-year-old European startup specializing in military drones, is reportedly nearing the conclusion of a new $1.2 billion funding round, valuing the company at approximately $18 billion. According to the Financial Times, the round is anticipated to be led by Dragoneer, with Lightspeed, an existing investor in Helsing, co-leading the effort.
In June 2025, Helsing secured nearly €600 million in a funding round led by billionaire Daniel Ek, founder of Spotify. This previous investment estimated Helsing’s value at around €12 billion ($14 billion USD), indicating significant growth with the upcoming round.
Helsing stands out as the most valuable among European unicorns in the defense technology sector. For example, Quantum Systems, a German drone manufacturer, raised €180 million in November, achieving a valuation exceeding €3 billion. Similarly, a year prior, Lisbon-based Tekever secured £400 million, with its valuation surpassing £1 billion. Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which serves as a testing ground for emerging technologies, autonomous defense startups have captured the interest of venture capitalists.
Attempts to reach Helsing, Dragoneer, and Lightspeed for comments were unsuccessful.
