About Drones sector in United States
The Drones sector in United States comprises 1.66K companies, including 452 funded companies having collectively raised $23.4B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 233 are Series A+ funded, and 5 have achieved unicorn status.
Drones sector in United States has seen 121 acquisitions and 13 IPOs. This represents almost 8.1% of all such companies - which is higher than the 4.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes drones are defined as any powered unmanned aerial heavier-than-air vehicle (manual or autonomous) and excludes unmanned ground, undersea and surface vehicles.
Drones sector is also known as Unmanned Aerial Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Flying Robots or Quadcopter.
Includes manufacturers of consumer, commercial and military, fixed-wing, rotor and tethered unmanned aerial vehicles; providers of software for general operation and control, navigation, autopilot, collision avoidance, fleet management, airspace and flight path mapping; UAV-enabled service providers such as drone/drone pilot marketplaces and rental platforms; drone hardware parts, accessories and peripherals including spare parts, payloads and sensors; drone detection and anti-drone technologies including anti-drone geofencing companies. Excludes unmanned ground vehicles (military, commercial and consumer RC toys), unmanned underwater vehicles; online stores in multi-brand drone retail; drone resellers and distributors; drone-focused online discussion and review forums, and drone-focused social media platforms.
Top Drones Companies in United States
There are 1,657 Drones startups in United States which include Anduril, Skydio, Zeitview, DroneDeploy, Shield AI. Out of these, 452 startups are funded, with 233 having secured Series A+ funding, and 5 achieving unicorn status.
2026 has seen the creation of 26 Drones startups in United States. Over the past 10 years, an average of 61 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Harvard University.
Here is the list of top Drones startups in United States
1. Anduril
Provider of AI-driven defense and autonomous systems across air, land, sea, and space domains. It develops integrated platforms that enhance situational awareness, real-time decision-making, and operational effectiveness for defense and security applications. It delivers a range of autonomous systems and software-defined defense infrastructure, including surveillance systems, unmanned platforms, and command-and-control technologies designed to operate in complex and contested environments. Its solutions support modern military needs such as border security, force protection, and multi-domain mission coordination.
Key facts about Anduril
- Founded Year: 2017
- Location: Costa Mesa (United States)
- Stage: Series H
- Total Funding till date: $11.3B
- Investors: Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz and 87 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series H, May 13, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 75/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 3 of 777 Competitors
2. Skydio
Manufacturer of autonomous drones and related software, services, and accessories. It provides drone platforms, docking stations, attachments, and software for autonomous flight, data capture, and integration. These products serve sectors including public safety, utilities, national security, inspection, transportation, construction, and oil and gas. Services include regulatory and success support, along with developer tools and training.
Key facts about Skydio
- Founded Year: 2014
- Location: San Mateo (United States)
- Stage: Series F
- Total Funding till date: $825M
- Investors: Andreessen Horowitz, IVP and 37 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series F, Apr 28, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 73/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 1,041 Competitors
3. Zeitview
Provider of drone-based inspection software platform. It uses machine learning for data and image-based inspection, analytics, and lifecycle management. It also captures visual data for inspections of energy and infrastructure assets.
Key facts about Zeitview
- Founded Year: 2014
- Location: Santa Monica (United States)
- Stage: Series D
- Total Funding till date: $174M
- Investors: Union Square Ventures, Upfront Ventures and 17 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series D, Mar 05, 2025, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 72/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 91 Competitors
4. DroneDeploy
DroneDeploy provides a cloud software platform for commercial drones. It enables businesses to collect, manage & interpret drone data and also features imagery & analysis, 3D modeling & other capabilities from multiple drones remotely. Also offers a flight app compatible with iOS & Android devices to capture maps, photos, panoramas, and videos. It has applications across different industries, including agriculture, construction, mining, inspection, and surveying.
Key facts about DroneDeploy
- Founded Year: 2013
- Location: San Francisco (United States)
- Stage: Acquired
- Total Funding till date: $142M
- Investors: Energize Capital, AngelPad and 16 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series E, Feb 04, 2021, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 71/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 227 Competitors
5. Shield AI
Developer of AI-powered platforms and software for defense applications. The company provides solutions for mission autonomy, surveillance, and object detection. Its offerings include autonomous pilot software, command and control toolkits, and autonomy development platforms. It also manufactures unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Key facts about Shield AI
- Founded Year: 2015
- Location: San Diego (United States)
- Stage: Series G
- Total Funding till date: $3.52B
- Investors: riot.ventures, Disruptive and 44 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series G, Mar 26, 2026, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 68/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 6 of 858 Competitors
Companies founded year-on-year in the Drones sector in United States
26 new startups have been founded so far in 2026 in the Drones sector in United States. 108 Drones startups in United States were founded in 2019 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 26 |
2025 | 30 |
2024 | 25 |
2023 | 34 |
2022 | 41 |
2021 | 68 |
2020 | 80 |
2019 | 108 |
2018 | 91 |
2017 | 108 |
Stage-wise distribution of Drones sector companies in United States
Out of the total 1,657 Drones companies in United States, 452 have secured funding. Among them, 233 have reached Series A or higher, and 182 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 1,657
Funded - 452
Series A+ - 233
Series B+ - 182
Series C+ - 150
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 1,657 |
Funded | 452 |
Series A+ | 233 |
Series B+ | 182 |
Series C+ | 150 |
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Funding Trends in the Drones sector in United States
Total funding year-on-year in the Drones sector in United States
The Drones sector in United States saw a total funding of more than $22.4B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding has been in 2026 at more than $8.08B till date.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | $8.08B |
2025 | $4.51B |
2024 | $2.11B |
2023 | $835M |
2022 | $2.92B |
2021 | $1.47B |
2020 | $961M |
2019 | $540M |
2018 | $412M |
2017 | $530M |
Recent Funding Rounds in Drones in United States
In the year 2026, till September 2026, Drones companies in United States have raised $8.07B in equity funding across 34 rounds.
In the same period last year (i.e. till September 2025), Drones companies in United States had raised $3.94B across 34 rounds.
So, 2026 has seen a 104.85% rise in funding in Drones companies in United States as compared to 2025.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Drones companies in United States:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Series B | 1248 | Sep 09, 2026 | ||
Series B | 1708 | Aug 31, 2026 | ||
Series A | 6850 | Aug 30, 2026 | ||
Seed | 4932 | Aug 27, 2026 | ||
Series B | 7541 | Aug 25, 2026 |
Top Investors in Drones in United States
Techstars is the top investor in Drones companies in United States based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Drones companies in United States:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
New York City (United States) | ||
Mountain View (United States) | ||
Arlington (United States) | ||
New York City (United States) | ||
Boston (United States) |
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M&A activity in Drones sector in United States
In the year 2026, till September 2026, 12 acquisitions happened in Drones sector in United States. Last year, in 2025, a total of 7 acquisitions happened in Drones sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Drones sector in United States:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Sep 18, 2026 | - | |
Business Acquisition | Aug 10, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Aug 10, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jul 30, 2026 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jul 07, 2026 |
Acquisition trends in Drones sector in United States
Here are the acquisition trends in Drones sector in United States:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | 12 |
2025 | 7 |
2024 | 11 |
2023 | 12 |
2022 | 10 |
2021 | 20 |
2020 | 10 |
2019 | 7 |
2018 | 12 |
2017 | 7 |
IPOs in Drones in United States
In the year 2026, till May 2026, 2 IPOs happened in Drones sector in United States.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Drones sector in United States:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
May 15, 2026 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Mar 17, 2026 | National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) | |
Jun 06, 2025 | OTC Markets (OTCMKTS) | |
Nov 18, 2022 | Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) | |
Sep 23, 2021 | Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TLV) |
Colleges which produce the most Drones companies in United States
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Drones in United States
Most number of Drones startups in United States have been founded by alumni from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Harvard University.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 30 |
Stanford University | 26 |
Harvard University | 16 |
University of California (Berkeley) | 12 |
Harvard Business School | 9 |
University of Pennsylvania | 8 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 7 |
University of California (Los Angeles) | 5 |
Yale University | 5 |
Columbia University | 3 |
Total funding in Drones companies founded by alumni from top colleges in United States
In the last 10 years, Cornell University graduates' Drones companies in United States have raised the most funding among top colleges. Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni are second, and Harvard University alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
Cornell University | $11.3B |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $5.27B |
Harvard University | $4.21B |
Stanford University | $1.2B |
Harvard Business School | $325M |
University of Pennsylvania | $242M |
London School of Economics and Political Science | $189M |
University of California (Los Angeles) | $180M |
The University of Edinburgh | $141M |
Technion Israel Institute Technology | $110M |
Top News in Drones in United States
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Gogo and Insitu Collaborate on Group 3 UAS Connectivity SolutionGlobeNewswire•Sep 22, 2026•Insitu, Gogo
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Skyways and DSV Partner for Offshore Autonomous Cargo LogisticsPR Newswire•Sep 21, 2026•DSV, Skyways
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Morgan Stanley Investment Management's first growth equity fund raises $1.3B (MS:NYSE)Seeking Alpha•Sep 16, 2026•Morgan Stanley, Anduril, Ramp, Databricks
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AVI-SPL and Matternet Partner on Autonomous Drone Delivery for Mission-Critical Service LogisticsGlobeNewswire•Sep 15, 2026•AVI-SPL, Matternet
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DZYNE Technologies Unveils BlitzBox: A Containerized System for 100 Weaponized DronesUAS Vision•May 21, 2026•DZYNE
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Papa John’s Partners with Alphabet’s Wing for Drone Delivery Test in North CarolinaFOX Business•May 13, 2026•Papa John, Wing
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Workhorse Partners with InCharge Energy to Enhance Customer Support Across North AmericaGlobeNewswire•May 06, 2026•In-Charge, Workhorse Group
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Sunflower Labs Receives FAA Approval for One Pilot to Operate Six DronesBusiness Wire•May 05, 2026•Sunflower Labs
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