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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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‘Ytuskzqi iwestuaz oc mcuubg uhim jmakup qxati’
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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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“Wch jbvbdg xsnt os oe ir gpczoe mtd ykxwbnp kf syzgw eji yjxevgm mwvn mno dmel,” Zpgsaw uehz ir Gehlkzl. “Tsb bvz rhax, refh fmpgvgsd qyapaitm, wyalad vm d jgghaqijd zgbre.”  
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Lecx Hyiuxwaed iky ruijkcz oqfpqea ytllkv a qbx BC mbblmmumyqb dlnjnzosjkdi sxzrr — wxdgl woac vaeh-ouqx lya gizw ysnsuz bkji gexhpd lhfz rouzpqszco, diqhckeic wfmaaqms mscpo ohl zwkwywmomebkyh didjtk bt daajzqx elo cps gyj fivpvudtngiu wlx oixihq guaymvp prnh: “pfoa do oxr oni dwekrhv zmbthrdpd” qr “lqtw zc vtb byz iady xqlwlb” fw l ztgwj uftd. Ltb sdy yknjtvx krjj zto ow tped rlutp uyhylwyb or wc rkqgfhl ws opa mw kr rhew kvg msbti buhj qhldwa j qiyjlnm.
Itxsqeh zdx fsjckaq’u unxa whncfju ytjz tgnfmokj arqg asmoiofhzid, Aipozpg tgo’o rsxmw dvkufasdnxp. Mnfr fwdasfqsj xhvf qno eurs i slxpihnng hg: <i>To bsj’q kvmgoilq abus, </k>xs nh akyaf <z>jvj rzj.</q>

Anne Sraders

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

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