Zipline raises $1.5B at $21.5B valuation, adds 300 Walmart sites

Zipline, a developer of autonomous drone delivery and logistics systems, has raised $1.5 billion and agreed a new multi-year deal with Walmart, TechCrunch Startups reports. The company is now valued at $21.5 billion. Under the agreement, the two companies will add 300 drone delivery sites across the United States, compared with 21 active sites they operate together today. techcrunch.com

The round was led by Paradigm, WCM Investment Management and Layer Global. Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Uber, Tiger Global, J.P. Morgan, ARK Invest and Salesforce Ventures also participated. techcrunch.com Zipline said it will use the funds to expand its U.S. manufacturing facilities and hire more workers to build a nationwide drone delivery network. techcrunch.com

Platforms and operations

Zipline's ecosystem includes aircraft, launch and landing systems, and logistics software. Its home delivery service uses Platform 2 drones, designed to carry up to eight pounds and serve customers within a 10-mile radius. Larger Platform 1 drones are used for long-range deliveries for enterprise, business and government customers and cover 120 miles round trip. techcrunch.com

The company delivers food, retail, agricultural and health products in five African countries, several U.S. cities and Japan. techcrunch.com Zipline said on Thursday that its share of delivery revenue grew from 10.8% to 34.9% between March and October of this year. techcrunch.com

From Rwanda to the United States

Zipline was founded in 2014 and started in Africa, where it used autonomous drones to deliver blood in Rwanda before expanding to Ghana and Nigeria. The California-based company began U.S. operations in 2020, carrying medical equipment and supplies to Novant Health in North Carolina. Its agreement with Walmart dates to 2021. techcrunch.com

In 2022 Zipline received Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, a regulatory step that authorized long-range commercial drone deliveries. Since then the company has signed several partnerships, including one with Uber earlier this year. techcrunch.com

Zipline raises $1.5B at $21.5B valuation and adds 300 Walmart drone delivery sites

Platforms and operations

From Rwanda to the United States

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