Zipline Raises $600M, Valued at $7.6B for Drone Delivery Expansion
Drone delivery startup secures major funding to expand to Houston and Phoenix, surpassing 2 million commercial deliveries worldwide.
Zipline, the world's largest autonomous delivery service, announced on January 21 that it has raised $600 million in new funding, valuing the company at $7.6 billion. The round saw participation from Fidelity Management & Research Company, Baillie Gifford, Valor Equity Partners, and Tiger Global.
Expansion Plans
The fresh capital will fund Zipline's expansion into Houston and Phoenix, where eligible customers will soon be able to order tens of thousands of items through the Zipline app, with deliveries arriving in as little as 10 minutes. The company plans to expand to at least four U.S. states in 2026.
Milestone Achievement
Zipline also announced it has surpassed 2 million commercial deliveries—more than all other drone delivery companies combined. To date, Zipline's zero-emission aircraft have flown more than 125 million autonomous commercial miles, delivering more than 20 million items without a serious injury.
The company's U.S. deliveries have grown by approximately 15% week-over-week over the past seven months, demonstrating strong consumer demand for instant drone delivery.
Industry Context
Founded in 2014, Zipline started operations in 2016 delivering blood and medical supplies in Rwanda and has since expanded into food, retail, and consumer goods across seven countries. The company competes with Alphabet's Wing, Amazon's Prime Air, and other startups including Matternet and Flytrex in the fast-growing drone delivery market.
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