Image via Tech.eu
Last updated
Helsing: Capital Raising
Helsing, a European military drone startup backed by Daniel Ek, is close to raising $1.2B at an $18B valuation
Source: Tech.eu
The leadership read
Fresh capital usually broadens defence technology leadership bench strength — scale, go-to-market and operational depth — rather than any single appointment.
Market context: The wider read — a Talent Market Index of 111.2 (Hot), up 5.2 month-on-month — shows EMEA signal flow easing (-4.4pts).
Helsing: 1 signal in the last 90 days — in line with the Defence Technology median of 1 across 40 tracked companies; 0.1% of MitchelLake's EMEA signal flow.
MitchelLake in this thematic
More signals across Defence Technology
Capital Raising · EMEA
DAMAC Digital →UAE billionaire Hussain Sajwani's DAMAC Digital securing $66 billion investment for AI data center expansion across 13 countries with 6,000 megawatts planned capacity
Capital Raising · EMEA
Quantum Systems →German surveillance drone company Quantum Systems secured €160 million in Series C funding in 2025 and extended the round with €180 million, bringing total 2025 funding to €340 million and valuation above €3 billion.
Capital Raising · EMEA
Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd →EOS raised $150M via institutional placement at $8.00/share plus $40M private placement from Calidus (UAE defence company) to fund MARSS acquisition and increase balance sheet flexibility
Capital Raising · EMEA
Destinus →Destinus, Netherlands-based defence startup manufacturing cruise missiles and autonomous drones, is raising approximately €200M ahead of planned IPO with valuation target exceeding €5B
Ma Activity · EMEA
Thales →Germany has scrapped its F126 frigate program, creating a €12 billion contract opportunity for warship replacement. Thales faces revenue impact from the cancellation but a potential new procurement cycle may emerge.
Product Launch · EMEA
ST Engineering →ST Engineering secured a US$87.1 million UK defence contract to provide nine variants of 40mm high and low velocity grenades to the military.
Intelligence powered by Autonodal ↗