Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast Helsing: Challenges ahead for the defence tech unicorn
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Jul 3, 2025 Anne Schraders, a VC and defence tech reporter based in Berlin, dives into the mysterious world of Helsing, a defence tech unicorn valued at €12bn. She discusses its substantial €600m funding and the secretive nature of its operations, particularly around autonomous drones and maritime tech. Schraders addresses scrutiny over the company's drone performance and the challenges it faces in a competitive landscape. She also shares insights on Helsing's potential growth paths, including an IPO, amid shifting attitudes towards defence investments in Europe.
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Helsing's Software-to-Hardware Pivot
- Helsing started as a software-only company focused on AI battlefield software for strategic mapping.
- They pivoted to also creating their own autonomous drones, expanding from embedding software into hardware.
Helsing's Multi-Domain Defence Tech
- Helsing's drones are being tested and used in Ukraine, with plans to send thousands more strike drones there.
- They are expanding their technology to cover sea, air, and land domains including underwater surveillance.
Co-CEO Torsten Ryle's Unique Path
- Torsten Ryle, Helsing's co-CEO, studied biology at Oxford and founded a video game company profitable in a $527 million sale.
- He is now focused on European defense, emphasizing the need to protect democracies and Europe's defence autonomy.