German Defense Start-Up Sets New VC Record
Munich’s Helsing has raised USD 1.8 billion in a single financing round – something no German company has ever done before.
Jul 13, 2026
The fresh capital influx came from both previous and new investors and took Helsing’s valuation to USD 18 billion, also a German record. Helsing is the most highly valued defense start-up in Europe.
The funding round comes amidst a spate of big venture-capital deals for Germany-based defense start-ups, including Quantum Systems and Stark Defense.
Helsing, which was founded in 2021, specializes in artificial intelligence, surveillance systems and combat-capable drones. Its products are currently being deployed in the war in Ukraine.
Source: Handelsblatt
