Zipline charts drone delivery expansion with $600M in new funding

Zipline, a U.S.-based autonomous drone delivery and logistics startup, announced a $600 million funding round that values the company at $7.6 billion. This investment will support Zipline’s expansion into Houston and Phoenix early in 2024, with plans to operate in at least four U.S. states by 2026. Founded in 2014, Zipline has developed its own drone delivery ecosystem, including software, launch and landing systems, and drones. The company currently operates in five African countries, several U.S. cities, and Japan, delivering food, retail, agriculture, and health products. In the U.S., Zipline launched a home delivery service last year using its Platform 2 drones, which carry up to eight pounds within a 10-mile radius, partnering with retailers such as Walmart, Panera, Chipotle, and Wendy’s. Zipline has seen rapid growth in its U.S. deliveries, surpassing two million drone deliveries in 2024 and experiencing