helsing —Protecting our democracies

We've been watching the defense tech space evolve rapidly, but Helsing caught our attention for reasons that go beyond just impressive technology. This Munich-based startup isn't your typical Silicon Valley AI company—they're building autonomous weapons systems with a moral compass, which sounds contradictory until you dig deeper.

Founded in 2021 with the explicit mission to "protect liberal democracies," Helsing has managed something remarkable: they've secured nearly €1.4 billion in funding while maintaining clear ethical guidelines. That's not easy in defense tech, where the line between innovation and responsibility often gets blurry.

What Makes Them Different

Most defense contractors bolt AI onto existing hardware and call it innovation. Helsing flipped that approach entirely—they're software-first, building AI systems that can transform any piece of military equipment into something smarter. Their HX-2 strike drone operates in GPS-denied environments, which is crucial when adversaries are jamming signals left and right.

But here's what impressed us most: their underwater SG-1 drones can swarm together using an AI called Lura to hunt submarines. It's like giving a pack of digital wolves the ability to coordinate underwater—pretty wild stuff when you think about it.

The Numbers Tell a Story

Going from zero to 600 employees in three years while landing contracts with Germany and Ukraine isn't luck—it's execution. The €12 billion valuation feels justified when you see their product lineup spanning air, land, and sea domains. They're not just building one clever gadget; they're creating an entire ecosystem of AI-powered defense tools.

What really struck us was their "Resilience Factories" concept for mass production. It suggests they're thinking beyond prototypes to actual wartime manufacturing capacity, which shows serious long-term planning.

Who Should Pay Attention

If you're tracking European tech or defense innovation, Helsing deserves a spot on your radar. Their partnerships with established players like Rheinmetall and Airbus show they understand that disruption in defense requires collaboration, not replacement. For investors interested in dual-use AI applications, this is exactly the kind of company that could define the next decade of security technology.

We're genuinely curious to see how they balance their democratic values with the realities of global defense markets. So far, they seem to be walking that tightrope successfully.