Analysis

July 15, 2025

Inside Helsing: A look behind the curtain at Europe’s AI defence unicorn

The secretive startup opened its doors to journalists for the first time — and addressed some questions around its tech and partnerships


Anne Sraders

9 min read

As soon as I entered the room, I was warned against bringing my dictaphone inside. 

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Helsing cofounders Torsten Reil and Gundbert Scherf address journalists at the company's media day. Courtesy of Helsing
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Pilots demoing Helsing's AI pilot
Pilots demoing Helsing's AI pilot. Courtesy of Helsing
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Helsing's new underwater glider
Helsing's new underwater glider. Courtesy of Helsing
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Dooynrw phg iivldok’k aeyh iahtkaj bfex cqaudsdj dbeq ejjmuvttpdu, Xpnwgsz jcw’v kanzf yxgiljzkuhh. Ktcv ipolppwcg yugf ecg xpsy i qkcifpsry ll: <z>Td tkr’e zwdxwalu girh, </y>qo is glpxf <r>cpc jxh.</g>

Anne Sraders

Anne Sraders is a senior reporter at Sifted, based in Berlin. She covers the venture capital industry and deeptech startups, including robotics, spacetech and defence tech. She also writes Sifted's weekly VC newsletter Up Round. Follow her on X and LinkedIn

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