Trending Now - Helsing Secures $1.2B Funding, Boosting Valuation to $18B

WHO:

TechCrunch - Helsing, a five-year-old European military drone startup, is backed by Daniel Ek.

Techmeme - The funding round is led by Dragoneer and Lightspeed.

WHAT:

TechCrunch - Helsing is close to raising $1.2 billion in funding.

Techmeme - Helsing's valuation is set to increase to approximately $18 billion, up from $14 billion in June 2025.

WHERE:

Techmeme - Helsing is a German defense tech startup.

WHEN:

Techmeme - The previous valuation of $14 billion was noted in June 2025.

WHY:

Techmeme - The funding is part of Helsing's growth strategy in the defense technology sector.

HOW:

Techmeme - The funding round is being led by investment firms Dragoneer and Lightspeed.

(UPDATED May 11, 2026 19:31 UTC)

Helsing, a German defense tech startup backed by Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek, is on the verge of raising $1.2 billion in funding, which will boost its valuation to approximately $18 billion, up from $14 billion in June 2025. This funding round is being led by prominent investment firms Dragoneer and Lightspeed as part of Helsing's growth strategy in the defense technology sector. The company, which has been in operation for five years, continues to make significant strides in the military drone market.