Kathrine Frich
Ek has sold a significant portion of his Spotify shares.
Ek has sold a significant portion of his Spotify shares.
From Streaming to Swarming: Spotify CEO’s New Battlefield
Spotify CEO Daniel Ek, widely known for transforming the music industry, is now making waves in the defense sector.
While still hailed as one of the most powerful figures in music, Ek is shifting gears with a massive investment in AI-powered military drones aimed at strengthening European security.
A $600 Million Bet on AI Warfare
Through his investment firm Prima Materia, Ek has poured approximately €600 million into Helsing, a German defense tech startup. according to El Economista.
This move makes Helsing one of the most valuable private tech companies in Europe, and signals Ek’s long-term commitment to high-tech defense solutions.
Helsing: From Software to Strike Systems
Originally founded as a developer of military AI software, Helsing has evolved into a full-fledged weapons systems manufacturer.
Their standout innovation? Combat drones like the HX-2, which can carry out long-range missions with autonomous targeting capabilities.
Swarm Power: One Controller, Multiple Drones
The HX-2 drone isn’t just electric and stealthy.
Thanks to proprietary software, multiple HX-2 units can be linked together in swarms and piloted by a single operator.
This kind of synchronized drone combat tech has already seen action in Ukraine.
Investment Sparks Helsing’s European Expansion
Ek’s latest cash infusion has rocketed Helsing’s valuation to €12 billion.
With this capital, the company plans to replicate its high-tech manufacturing facilities across other European countries, bolstering regional defense capabilities.
Not Ek’s First Military Venture
This isn’t Ek’s first foray into Helsing. He previously invested €100 million back in 2021.
At the time, the decision stirred controversy among some musicians, uneasy about his growing ties to the arms industry.
Selling Spotify Stock to Fund Defense Tech
To back these military investments, Ek has sold a significant portion of his Spotify shares.
In 2024 alone, he earned over $376 million from stock sales, yet still maintains control of the company through a 30% voting stake with just 14.3% ownership.
“I’m Sure People Will Criticize”
Ek has been candid about the backlash. “I’m sure people will criticize, and that’s okay. I focus on what I believe is right,” he stated.
For him, supporting European defense isn’t just a business decision, it’s a moral one.
HX-2: The Drone of the Future
Capable of hitting targets up to 100 km away, the HX-2 represents the cutting edge of autonomous warfare.
It’s not only a leap in defense technology but a symbol of how private capital is shaping the battlefields of tomorrow.
Europe No Longer in “Happyland”
As NATO leaders urge increased defense spending, Ek’s investment resonates with the new geopolitical reality.
Dutch PM Mark Rutte summed it up: “We no longer live in happyland.” Ek seems to agree, preparing Europe for a more turbulent future.