# Gundbert Scherf

> Gundbert Scherf is a German co-founder and co-CEO of Helsing, the Munich-founded defence technology company. A former special representative in Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence and former McKinsey partner, he has helped take Helsing from AI software into drone manufacturing, aircraft autonomy and European industrial partnerships.

- **Role:** Co-founder and co-CEO at Helsing
- **Organizations:** Helsing, McKinsey & Company, German Federal Ministry of Defence
- **Nationality:** German
- **Education:** Graduate or postgraduate studies; Marie Curie Fellow, University of Cambridge, Graduate or postgraduate studies, Free University of Berlin, Graduate or postgraduate studies, Sciences Po Paris
- **Known for:** Co-founded Helsing in 2021 with Torsten Reil and Niklas Köhler., Worked as a special representative at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence from 2014 to 2016., Helped lead Helsing as it expanded from AI software to strike drones, aircraft autonomy and maritime systems.

## Career timeline

- **2005** — Worked as an adviser in the Bundestag office of Werner Hoyer, according to a 2016 career notice.
- **2008** — Joined McKinsey & Company; later became a partner covering aerospace, defence and parts of technology.
- **2014-2016** — Served as a special representative in Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, working on strategic management of armaments activities.
- **2017** — Returned to McKinsey as a partner.
- **2021** — Co-founded Helsing with Torsten Reil and Niklas Köhler in Munich.
- **2024** — Helsing announced Project Centaur and unveiled its HX-2 strike drone.
- **2025** — Helsing announced 6,000 additional HX-2 drones for Ukraine; Centaur flew aboard a Gripen E; the company unveiled CA-1 Europa.
- **2026** — Helsing opened a Stockholm presence and raised a $1.8 billion Series E.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Helsing in 2021 with Torsten Reil and Niklas Köhler.
- Worked as a special representative at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence from 2014 to 2016.
- Helped lead Helsing as it expanded from AI software to strike drones, aircraft autonomy and maritime systems.
- Represented Helsing in European industrial partnerships, including the 2024 Estonian defence collaboration and 2026 Hensoldt CA-1 agreement.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Helsing announced a $1.8 billion Series E at an $18 billion valuation; its founders remained on the board.
- **2026-04** — Scherf welcomed defence leaders at the opening of Helsing's Stockholm presence and called Sweden a new home market.
- **2026-02** — Helsing and Hensoldt announced a partnership on the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft.

## Links

- Website: https://helsing.ai/
- LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/gscherf

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/gundbert-scherf
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-29