Zipline, an autonomous drone delivery and logistics company, has announced plans for significant expansion in the U.S. with the help of $600 million in new investment. The company will be establishing operations in Houston and Phoenix, with intentions to expand to at least four additional U.S. states by 2026. This recent funding round, led by investors like Fidelity Management & Research Company, Baillie Gifford, Valor Equity Partners, and Tiger Global, values Zipline at $7.6 billion.
Founded in 2014, Zipline has developed a comprehensive drone delivery ecosystem, including logistics software, launch and landing systems, and the drones themselves. Initially focused on delivering blood in Rwanda in 2016, Zipline has since expanded its services to include food, retail goods, agriculture, and health products across five African countries, various U.S. cities, and Japan. The company’s Platform 2 drones, capable of carrying up to eight pounds within a 10-mile radius, are used for home delivery services, while the larger Platform 1 drones handle long-range deliveries for enterprise and government clients.
Zipline’s partnerships with major brands like Walmart, Panera, Chipotle, and others have contributed to its growth, culminating in the completion of over 2 million deliveries. The company’s U.S. delivery numbers have seen a consistent 15% weekly increase, demonstrating the growing demand for drone delivery services in various sectors.
Source: TechCrunch