Drone Logistics Firm Zipline Raises $1.5 Billion at $21.5 Billion Valuation, Expands Walmart Partnership
Zipline secures $1.5 billion in funding, reaching a $21.5 billion valuation, with plans to add 300 drone delivery sites across the US.
US-based autonomous drone logistics startup Zipline has announced it raised $1.5 billion, bringing its post-money valuation to $21.5 billion. The round was led by Paradigm, WCM Investment Management, and Layer Global, with participation from Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity, Uber, Tiger Global, J.P. Morgan, ARK Invest, and Salesforce Ventures.
Simultaneously, Zipline reached a new multi-year agreement with US retail giant Walmart to add 300 drone delivery sites across the United States. While the two companies have had a partnership since 2021, they currently operate only 21 active sites. This expansion signals an acceleration of Zipline's transition from medical supply delivery to large-scale retail logistics.
Zipline stated that the new funds will be used to expand its US manufacturing facilities and hire more workers to build out a nationwide drone delivery network. Founded in 2014, the company initially delivered blood products in Africa before entering the US market in 2020. In 2022, Zipline received Part 135 air carrier certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a critical regulatory milestone enabling long-range commercial drone deliveries.
According to Zipline, its share of delivery revenue grew from 10.8% to 34.9% between March and October of this year. The latest funding aims to push this metric even higher, consolidating its position in automated logistics.