Zipline Valued at $21.5 Billion as Walmart Expands Drone Delivery Partnership

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Zipline raised $1.5 billion, reaching a $21.5 billion valuation, and expanded its Walmart drone delivery partnership to 300 U.S. sites from 21, boosting its autonomous drone logistics presence.

California-based autonomous drone delivery startup Zipline has raised $1.5 billion in new funding, pushing its valuation to $21.5 billion. This financing round was led by Paradigm, WCM Investment Management, and Layer Global, with participation from major investors including Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity, Uber, Tiger Global, J.P. Morgan, ARK Invest, and Salesforce Ventures.

Alongside the funding news, Zipline announced a significant expansion of its multi-year partnership with Walmart. The companies plan to grow their existing drone delivery network in the United States from 21 active sites to 300, a more than tenfold increase. This expansion builds on their collaboration dating back to 2021, accelerating Walmart's investment in last-mile drone delivery technology.

Zipline operates a comprehensive drone delivery ecosystem encompassing aircraft, launch and landing infrastructure, and logistics software. Its drones serve diverse sectors including food, retail, agriculture, and healthcare. Zipline’s smaller Platform 2 drones carry up to eight pounds to customers within approximately ten miles, while its larger Platform 1 drones support enterprise and government operations with a range of up to 120 miles round trip.

Founded in 2014, Zipline initially focused on delivering medical supplies in African nations such as Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria. It entered the U.S. market in 2020, delivering medical equipment to Novant Health in North Carolina. A critical milestone came in 2022 when Zipline received Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 air carrier certification, enabling long-range commercial drone operations and facilitating partnerships with companies like Uber.

According to Zipline, its share of delivery revenue nearly tripled from 10.8% in March 2026 to 34.9% by October, showcasing the increasing adoption of its drone delivery services. The new funding will be allocated toward expanding U.S. manufacturing capabilities and workforce, supporting the buildout of a nationwide drone delivery network.