How Much Did Shield AI Raise? Funding & Key Investors

Date August 22, 2025
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Shield AI

COMPANY INFO

Shield AI, Inc. is an American aerospace and defense technology company founded in 2015 by brothers Brandon Tseng and Ryan Tseng, along with Andrew Reiter. The company employs around 700 to 879 people and is headquartered in San Diego, California, with a website at www.shield.ai. Shield AI develops artificial intelligence-powered autonomous drones and software for defense operations, including the Nova quadcopter drone and the Hivemind AI system, which enable autonomous reconnaissance and combat missions in GPS-denied environments. Its primary industry is aerospace and defense, serving clients such as the US military and international defense organizations.

How Much Did Shield AI, Inc. Raise? Funding & Rounds and Investors

Shield AI, Inc. is an innovative American aerospace and defense technology company founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Shield AI builds artificial intelligence-powered autonomous drones and software for defense applications. The company is best known for its Nova quadcopter drone and the Hivemind AI system, which enable autonomous reconnaissance and combat missions, particularly in environments where GPS is unavailable. With approximately 787 employees, Shield AI serves critical clients such as the US military and defense organizations worldwide, and maintains offices in Arlington (Virginia), Prosper (Texas), Port Melbourne (Australia), and Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Shield AI, Inc. funding has driven the company’s rapid growth and technological advancement. Since its inception, Shield AI has raised a total of $1.17 billion over 17 funding rounds, demonstrating a robust funding strategy that incorporates both equity and debt financing. The company has strategically leveraged capital to fuel product development, technology scaling, and market expansion, achieving major funding milestones such as multi-stage Series F rounds and substantial venture and debt investments. Shield AI’s funding history reflects strong support from leading venture capital, defense sector investors, and institutional backers committed to accelerating AI in aerospace and defense.

Funding Rounds

Series F - $240M - 2025-03-06

This latest Series F funding round was raised to scale Hivemind Enterprise, Shield AI's AI-powered autonomy developer platform for OEMs, governments, and commercial companies.

Series F - $100M - 2023-12-29

An additional Series F round in late 2023 provided further runway to enhance Shield AI’s technology stack and support ongoing growth.

Venture Debt - $200M - 2023-12-29

This debt funding round supported company operations, providing capital to expand critical capabilities and scale deployment globally.

Series F - $281M - 2023-09-13

Shield AI raised $281 million at a $2.7 billion valuation in this Series F round to support company growth and advanced technology development.

Series E - $60M - 2022-12-14

Raised for continued product and technology advancement, led by Thomas Tull.

Conventional Debt - $75M - 2022-06-09

Debt financing round to bolster operations and sustain growth momentum.

Series E - $90M - 2022-05-31

Aimed at accelerating product rollout and expanding market reach with support from major venture investors.

Series D - $210M - 2021-08-24

Fueling operational scale and innovation in AI-driven aerospace solutions.

Series C - $90M - 2021-02-23

Focused on aggressive product development and market penetration.

Series C - $52.9M - 2020-11-10

Supporting expansion of Shield AI’s technology portfolio and product offerings.

Series B - $22.2M - 2019-08-14

Raised to support broader market entry and enhance product development.

Series A - $10M - 2018-12-31

Seed funding for product development and initial team scaling.

Seed - $2.65M - 2016-05-27

Early stage funding enabling initial launch, led by Bloomberg Beta, Founder Collective, and Homebrew.

Seed - $2.65M - 2016-05-19

Initial seed capital focused on foundational product building and go-to-market launch.

Angel - $600K - 2015

Angel investment provided critical resources for company formation and early research.

Key Investors

L3Harris

L3Harris is a major global defense contractor and technology innovator; as a lead investor in the most recent funding round, L3Harris supports Shield AI’s enterprise AI autonomy ambitions.

Hanwha Asset Management

Hanwha Asset Management drives strategic growth in aerospace and defense technologies and led investment efforts in Shield AI’s later rounds.

Andreessen Horowitz (a16z)

One of Silicon Valley’s top venture capital firms, a16z has been a consistent investor in Shield AI funding rounds, enabling advances in autonomous technology and supporting company expansion.

U.S. Innovative Technology Fund

A key institutional backer promoting next-generation tech in national security, this fund played a leading role in recent large rounds.

Washington Harbour Partners

Washington Harbour Partners is a private investment firm that contributes financial expertise and connections in defense technology investing to Shield AI funding.

Hercules Capital

As a prominent venture debt provider, Hercules Capital supported Shield AI with significant capital for operational flexibility.

Riot Ventures

Riot Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on deep technology, was instrumental in multiple rounds to propel Shield AI’s growth in defense AI.

ARK Investment Management

Known for backing disruptive innovation, ARK brought strategic fintech and tech market expertise to Shield AI investment rounds.

Snowpoint Ventures

Snowpoint Ventures invests in advanced technology companies, backing Shield AI during key Series E and debt rounds to empower further R&D.

Point72 Ventures

Point72’s venture capital arm has supported Shield AI’s funding strategy and technology scaling since early rounds, reinforcing confidence in autonomous solutions.

Homebrew

Homebrew was an early investor in Shield AI, participating in seed and follow-on rounds to nurture company growth.

Disruptive Ventures

Disruptive Ventures actively participated in several Shield AI funding rounds, aligning with the company’s vision for disruptive AI in defense.

Breyer Capital

Breyer Capital supported major rounds to fuel R&D and accelerate Shield AI's entry into new markets.

Bloomberg Beta

Bloomberg Beta helped spearhead Shield AI’s earliest financing, catalyzing its launch in aerospace AI.

Founder Collective

Founder Collective contributed to initial and subsequent seed rounds, backing Shield AI’s founding team and early mission.

Karman Ventures

Karman Ventures participated in later rounds, advancing Shield AI’s space and defense autonomy ambitions.

Other People's Capital (OPC)

OPC engaged as a financial backer in Shield AI’s funding journey, supporting its mission.

Thomas Tull

A major backer in 2022, Thomas Tull’s investment accelerated Shield AI’s technology and product roadmap.

SVB Capital

SVB (Silicon Valley Bank) Capital participated in debt and equity rounds, providing unique financial solutions for Shield AI's scaling efforts.

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Shield AI, Inc. Funding & Investor Information | Aerospace & Defense Technology