Helsing: Sweden offers the right conditions for Nordic growth

PARIS - German startup Helsing sees Sweden as the natural starting point for its Nordic expansion, citing established industrial partnerships, access to talent and growing defence investment across the region.

The defence AI company recently established an office in Stockholm, which serves as the centre of its Nordic activities. 

According to Erik Larsson, Head of Helsing Sweden, the decision reflects both the company's existing ties to the country and the opportunities it sees across the Nordics.

- It is a natural step for Helsing, Erik Larsson told Defence Nordic at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris.

But why Sweden? 

One of the answers is that Helsing already has strong links to the country. Swedish Spotify founder Daniel Ek is one of Helsing's investors, while Saab is a key industrial partner.

The two companies collaborate on several programmes, including Project Beyond, which integrates Helsing's AI agent into the Gripen fighter aircraft. Helsing and Saab are also working together on AI-enabled electronic warfare capabilities for the Eurofighter programme.

For Larsson, those relationships are part of the reason why Sweden stands out.

- Our founders see Sweden as a potential home market for Helsing, he said.

Nordic growth pontential

But Helsing sees growing opportunities across the whole Nordic region as governments increase defence spending and invest in new capabilities.

- There is a growing need for defence capabilities across the Nordics, Larsson said. 

- Budgets are increasing and countries are investing in new capabilities. That is why we are positioning ourselves in Stockholm and across the region.

While the office is located in Sweden, its role extends beyond the domestic market. Whether that eventually leads to a broader physical presence elsewhere in the region remains to be seen.

- That can change depending on how the business landscape develops in the future, Larsson added.

The Stockholm office is also intended to be more than a commercial outpost.

- We will not only do sales. We will also have a delivery organisation operating from that office, he said.

No competition

Another factor behind the decision is access to talent.

Larsson describes Sweden and the wider Nordic region as an attractive environment for recruiting the engineers and software specialists needed to support Helsing's growth.

He declined to discuss recruitment targets or planned headcount but said the company's ambition is to continue growing.

Larsson also points to Sweden's established defence industrial base as an advantage.

While the country is home to major defence manufacturers and a broad supplier network, he argues that Helsing occupies a different niche.

- There is no company like our company. We are an AI company, he said.

Unlike traditional defence contractors, Helsing focuses on software, artificial intelligence and autonomous capabilities designed to be integrated into existing military platforms.

At the same time, Larsson sees a strong industrial ecosystem as a benefit.

- There is an established industrial base, which is great. It means there are many companies to cooperate and partner with, he said.

Taken together, those factors make Sweden the obvious base for Helsing's Nordic ambitions, according to Larsson.