Spotify Founder Daniel Ek Shifts Focus to European Tech Ventures. Daniel Ek, Spotify’s founder, announced he will step down as CEO next year to focus on building new technology ventures outside the music industry. Ek pioneered music streaming with Spotify, transforming the global music industry and creating a $140 billion company. He aims to create new “supercompanies” in Europe tackling critical societal challenges through deep tech, AI, and climate and health technology. Ek pledged €1 billion of his personal wealth through his venture capital firm Prima Materia to invest in early-stage European startups. Past projects include co-founding Neko Health for preventive healthcare and investing in Helsing, a German AI combat drone maker valued at $12 billion. Ek’s investment in military technology sparked criticism, prompting music groups like Massive Attack and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard to remove their music from Spotify. Analysts warned that combining music and weapons investments could become a distraction for Spotify and its brand reputation. Ek has previously faced controversies over artist pay and Spotify’s podcast strategy, but supporters praise him for creating a legal alternative to music piracy. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT