How Much Did Shield AI Raise? Headquarters, Funding & Key Investors

Shield AI has raised a total of $1.17 billion in funding across multiple rounds, achieving a valuation of $5.3 billion as of March 2025. The company’s Series F round, valued at $240 million, was led by investors including Disruptive, Point72 Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz. Founded in 2015, Shield AI develops AI-driven autonomous drones and training systems for fighter jet pilots, focusing on defense and security applications. Headquartered in San Diego, United States, and supported by over 600 employees, Shield AI is redefining military aviation with its neural-network-powered software, enabling GPS-denied navigation and multi-robot collaboration.

How Much Did Shield AI Raise? Funding & Key Investors

Shield AI specializes in developing AI-powered fighter jet pilots and autonomous drones designed for defense, law enforcement, and emergency response. Its proprietary Hivemind AI framework enables autonomous navigation, target detection, and collaboration among multiple unmanned systems without relying on GPS. The company’s product suite supports real-time mapping, exploration, and surveillance, empowering militaries and governments to conduct missions safely and efficiently. Shield AI’s subscription-based model ensures scalability and continued innovation in autonomous systems for battlefield and security operations.

What Is Shield AI and What Does It Do?

Shield AI, founded in 2015 by Ryan Tseng, Andrew Reiter, and Brandon Tseng, is a San Diego-based (United States) defense technology company specializing in autonomous drones and AI-powered aerial systems. The company develops neural-network-based AI systems capable of flying aircraft autonomously in complex environments without GPS.

Shield AI employs between 501-1000 people and has become one of the most advanced players in defense AI and robotics innovation.

Shield AI’s product line includes fully autonomous quadcopters and advanced AI pilots that enable battlefield surveillance, patrolling, and reconnaissance. Its technology caters to military, law enforcement, and first responder organizations globally.

How Much Funding Has Shield AI Raised?

*Seed Round* • Amount Raised: $2.05M
• Date: May 2016
• Motivation: To kickstart AI pilot development and establish core operations.
*Series A* • Amount Raised: $10.5M
• Date: March 2017
• Motivation: To expand the engineering team and enhance autonomous flight systems.
*Series B* • Amount Raised: $25M
• Date: August 2019
• Motivation: To scale production and advance AI model capabilities.
*Series C* • Amount Raised: $90M
• Date: February 2021
• Lead Investors: Point72 Ventures
• Motivation: To scale and integrate Hivemind software across multiple defense platforms.
*Series D* • Amount Raised: $210M
• Date: August 2021
• Lead Investors: Disruptive
• Motivation: To accelerate growth in AI piloting and expand defense operations.
*Series E (Initial)* • Amount Raised: $165M
• Date: June 2022
• Lead Investors: Snowpoint Ventures
• Motivation: To ramp up V-BAT aircraft production and expand AI integration.
*Series E (Additional)* • Amount Raised: $60M
• Date: December 2022
• Lead Investors: U.S. Innovative Technology Fund (USIT)
• Motivation: To strengthen AI systems for U.S. Department of Defense projects.
*Series F* • Amount Raised: $240M
• Date: March 6, 2025
• Lead Investors: Disruptive, Point72 Ventures
• Motivation: To enhance AI-driven flight automation and expand into commercial aviation.

Total Funding Raised: $1.17 Billion

Current Valuation: $5.3 Billion (as of March 2025)

Latest Funding Date: March 2025

Key Investors

*Andreessen Horowitz* • Details: One of Silicon Valley’s top venture capital firms investing in transformative tech companies.
• Investment Focus Areas: Software, hardware, and AI systems.
• Notable Investments: Facebook, Airbnb, Slack.
*Breyer Capital* • Details: A venture capital firm with investments spanning technology, media, and healthcare.
• Investment Focus Areas: Technology and high-impact innovation.
• Notable Investments: Facebook, Etsy, Marvel Entertainment.

Where Is Shield AI’s Headquarters?

Shield AI is headquartered in San Diego, California (United States) a strategic location close to major defense and aerospace partners, including U.S. Navy and Air Force facilities. This proximity enhances its collaboration with government and defense agencies, supporting R&D and testing for autonomous aerial systems.

What’s Next for Shield AI?

Shield AI plans to expand the deployment of its Hivemind AI software across both military and commercial aircraft, furthering its vision of autonomous flight. With strong government partnerships and backing from major defense investors, the company aims to dominate the AI-driven defense aviation market. Future efforts will focus on global scaling, enhanced drone autonomy, and multi-aircraft collaboration, setting a new standard in autonomous aerial defense technology.

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