Daniel Ek

Spotify founder Daniel Ek, through his firm Prima Materia, led a €600M funding round for Helsing (European defense AI company making autonomous combat drones), valuing it at $12B. Ek serves as Helsing chairman. Multiple artists including Massive Attack, King Gizzard, and Deerhoof pulled music from Spotify, calling it a 'moral and ethical burden' that fan money funds 'lethal, dystopian technologies.' Ek stepped down as Spotify CEO effective January 1, 2026, transitioning to executive chairman. Spotify stock fell 23% following the announcement.

Daniel Ek's venture capital firm led a €600 million funding round in Helsing, a German-French defense tech company developing AI-powered military technology including combat drones used in Ukraine. Ek became Helsing's chairman. The investment sparked artist boycotts with bands like King Gizzard, Massive Attack, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor removing music from Spotify, saying 'We don't want our music killing people.'