Shield AI lands $200M at $2.7B valuation to scale AI pilot for aircraft and drones
Shield AI, a US-based defense tech firm, has secured $200 million in a Series F funding round, raising its valuation to $2.7 billion. This funding comes after its 2022 Series E round where it amassed $90M in equity and $75M in debt. The latest round, led by U.S. Innovative Technology Fund and Riot Ventures and supported by ARK Invest among others, will facilitate the scaling of Shield AI's autonomous flying systems for the US military and enhance tech integration with third-party uncrewed platforms. Shield AI, established in 2015, developed an AI pilot named Hivemind that allows intelligent aircraft to operate autonomously in challenging environments. This technology, reminiscent of self-driving car systems, is equipped for full autonomy even in situations where GPS and communications are compromised. The firm’s AI-powered products, designed to maintain air superiority and deter conflict, are heralded as pivotal in addressing the evolving demands of defense technology.