Spotify founder invests in drones for Ukraine: how Daniel Eck supports the latest defense technologies

The founder of the popular music service Spotify, Daniel Eck, has invested €600 million in the German defense technology company Helsing, which supplies Ukraine with drones based on artificial intelligence. The investment was made through Prima Materia, which Eck founded with one of the first Spotify investors, Shakil Khan, in 2020.

Helsing is one of the most valuable startups in Europe - its market value is estimated at around €12 billion. The company is among the five most valuable private technology companies on the continent. And although it initially specialized in developing AI-based software, Helsing is now actively expanding its scope of activities, including the production of combat drones, aircraft and even unmanned submarines.

According to Daniel Eck, the conflict in Ukraine has forced the world to reconsider its approaches to warfare, especially in the context of the use of autonomous systems. He emphasized that it is AI, mass production and autonomy that are currently shaping a new type of warfare. “We cannot underestimate the consequences of this for the conflict in Ukraine or any war in the future,” the entrepreneur noted.

Prima Materia is now increasing its stake in Helsing to 1.37 billion euros, doubling its efforts to support the latest defense technologies. According to the Financial Times, Helsing has already transferred thousands of attack drones manufactured at the company’s facility in southern Germany to Ukraine. In addition, the company has signed important contracts with the governments of Great Britain, Germany and Sweden.

The company’s successes include not only the supply of drones, but also test flights of an autonomous air combat system that controlled a Saab fighter. At the same time, Helsing is actively developing a fleet of unmanned underwater vehicles, which could change the balance of power in future conflicts.

Daniel Ek's initial investment in military technology has drawn some criticism from Spotify users, but the entrepreneur remains convinced that his actions were right. "I'm sure it's the right thing to do for Europe," he said, noting that he is open to criticism but will not abandon his support for the defense capabilities of democratic countries.