Spotify CEO Daniel Ek Invests €600M in European AI Defense Startup

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has significantly increased his investment in Helsing, a German AI-powered military startup, by contributing €600 million through his investment firm Prima Materia, raising the company's valuation to €12 billion and marking one of the largest investments in European defense technology. Helsing, founded in 2021, develops autonomous combat drones like the HX-2 and is expanding into various military hardware including drones, aircraft, and unmanned submarines, with its technology already deployed by governments in Germany, the UK, Sweden, and Ukraine. Ek, who serves as Helsing's chairman, emphasizes the critical role of AI, mass, and autonomy in modern warfare, framing the investment as essential to bolstering Europe's strategic autonomy and security amid evolving geopolitical challenges. While Helsing claims to sell only to democratic governments, the company has faced scrutiny and criticism regarding its clients and ethical implications, with some artists and social media users calling for a boycott of Spotify due to Ek's involvement in military technology. The investment reflects a broader European effort to enhance defense capabilities as global tensions rise and the U.S. reduces its international military engagement. Ek’s move highlights his diversification from the music industry into deep tech and defense, despite the controversy it has sparked.