Helsing vs Shield AI: employee equity compared
Secondary market prices, valuation trajectory, equity structure, and liquidity outlook for employees choosing between Helsing and Shield AI.
Helsing
European AI defence company developing software-defined sensor fusion, threat recognition, and autonomous targeting systems for NATO allies.
No near-term IPO expected. Company likely 2028+ at earliest; patient equity required.
Government-contract stability; RSU (no exercise cost); longer liquidity timeline vs consumer tech
Shield AI
AI-powered autonomous defence platform; Hivemind AI pilot software flies F-16s and MQ-9 drones without GPS or comms.
Early-stage — IPO 4–6+ years away. High-risk, high-upside equity. Secondary indication near primary round valuation. Liquidity most likely via acquisition or late-stage tender.
Government-contract stability; ISO/NSO options; longer liquidity timeline vs consumer tech
Key differences for employees
Equity structure
Helsing grants RSU — no exercise cost. Your equity vests and converts to cash or shares automatically at a liquidity event. Shield AI grants ISO/NSO with strike prices from $10–$18.
Secondary market signal
Helsing has no recent verified secondary signal — only the primary round ($5.4B) is shown. Shield AI has no recent verified secondary signal. A higher secondary premium typically signals stronger investor demand and potentially better near-term liquidity for employees looking to sell.
Revenue and growth
Helsing runs at $0.1B ARR, growing +150% YoY (very fast). Shield AI runs at $0.2B ARR, growing +120% YoY (very fast). Revenue growth rate matters for equity because it drives the peer-multiple valuation — the method most correlated with exit multiples.
Liquidity timeline
Helsing: No near-term IPO expected. Company likely 2028+ at earliest; patient equity required.
Shield AI: Early-stage — IPO 4–6+ years away. High-risk, high-upside equity. Secondary indication near primary round valuation. Liquidity most likely via acquisition or late-stage tender.
Calculate your specific grant
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