The drone industry has moved far beyond photography, with startups now building systems for critical sectors like defense and logistics. These companies are developing advanced autonomous robots for both aerial and ground applications.
Defense technology is attracting significant capital, with Germany's Helsing raising €1.4B and U.S. based Shield AI securing $1.3B. Other startups are focused on commercial uses, from food delivery to operating system platforms.
Below is our list of 69 Drones startups worth keeping an eye on.
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Get the Sheet for $50Auterion builds an open-source operating system for commercial drones and other autonomous robots. Their software platform gives enterprise and government clients a standardized way to manage diverse fleets of vehicles for missions ranging from cargo delivery to mapping.
| Headquarters | Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland |
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Kevin Sartori, Lorenz Meier |
| Funding Amount | $181M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series B |
| Top Investors | Bessemer Venture Partners, Lakestar, Costanoa Ventures, U.S. Department of Defense, Mosaic Ventures |
Flytrex operates the largest drone-based food delivery service in the United States, offering ultrafast deliveries in suburban neighborhoods. Their fleet of autonomous drones partners with local restaurants to deliver food directly to customers.
| Headquarters | Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel |
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Amit Regev, Yariv Bash |
| Funding Amount | $60.3M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Corporate Round |
| Top Investors | Uber, OurCrowd, Benhamou Global Ventures, b2venture, Israel Innovation Authority |
Helsing builds artificial intelligence to protect democratic nations. Their software processes data from sources like drones and other sensors in real time, providing a clear operational picture for defense purposes.
| Headquarters | Berlin, Berlin, Germany |
| Year Founded | 2021 |
| Founders | Gundbert Scherf, Niklas Köhler, Torsten Reil |
| Funding Amount | €1.4B |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series D |
| Top Investors | General Catalyst, Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners, BDT & MSD Partners, Saab |
Quantum Systems builds AI-powered drones that specialize in aerial intelligence for defense, security, and surveying. Their eVTOL aircraft are designed to gather critical data in complex environments for government and commercial partners.
| Headquarters | Gilching, Bayern, Germany |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Armin Busse, Florian Seibel |
| Funding Amount | $388.4M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series C |
| Top Investors | European Investment Bank, Balderton Capital, Hensoldt, HV Capital, DTCP |
Skydio develops autonomous flying drones powered by artificial intelligence. These drones are used across consumer, enterprise, and government sectors for tasks ranging from creative filming to critical inspections.
| Headquarters | San Mateo, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Abraham Bachrach, Adam Bry, Matt Donahoe |
| Funding Amount | $740M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series E |
| Top Investors | Andreessen Horowitz, NVIDIA, Accel, Playground Global, IVP |
DroneDeploy builds a leading reality capture platform that turns job sites into interactive digital maps using drones and robots. This technology allows teams in construction, agriculture, and energy to automate data collection and gain critical insights into their operations.
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Jono Millin, Michael Winn, Nicholas Pilkington |
| Funding Amount | $157.6M |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Venture Round |
| Top Investors | Bessemer Venture Partners, Emergence Capital, Uncork Capital, Airtree Ventures, Redpoint |
ARX Robotics develops autonomous unmanned ground systems for military and civilian applications. Their modular robots are engineered to support a range of tasks, from logistics and surveillance to reconnaissance and casualty evacuation.
| Headquarters | München, Bayern, Germany |
| Year Founded | 2021 |
| Founders | Henrich Maximilian Wied, Marc A Wietfeld, Stefan Roebel |
| Funding Amount | $52.2M |
| Startup Size | Mid-Size Team (51-250) |
| Last Funding Status | Series A |
| Top Investors | Speedinvest, Omnes Capital, HV Capital, Project A Ventures, NATO Innovation Fund |
Allen Control Systems builds robotic defense solutions specifically designed to counter hostile drones. Their technology provides critical protection for the U.S. military and its allied partners against unmanned aerial systems.
| Headquarters | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Year Founded | 2022 |
| Founders | Luke Allen, Mike Wior, Steven Simoni |
| Funding Amount | $42M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Series A |
| Top Investors | Craft Ventures, Inspired Capital Partners, Rally Ventures, Jackson Moses, Forum Ventures |
Shield AI builds artificial intelligence pilots for aircraft, designed to protect service members and civilians in the field. Their core technology allows swarms of intelligent aircraft to operate autonomously in high-threat environments without needing GPS or remote human control.
| Headquarters | San Diego, California, United States |
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Andrew Reiter, Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng |
| Funding Amount | $1.3B |
| Startup Size | Large Team (251-1,000) |
| Last Funding Status | Series F |
| Top Investors | Andreessen Horowitz, Founder Collective, US Innovative Technology Fund, Washington Harbour Partners, L3Harris Technologies |
Hoverfly develops tethered drones designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Their aerial systems support demanding workflows in sectors like public safety, defense, and commercial broadcasting.
| Headquarters | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Not Employed |
| Funding Amount | $46.5M |
| Startup Size | Lean Team (11-50) |
| Last Funding Status | Private Equity |
| Top Investors | Leonardo Company, Gaspar Global Ventures |
59 Additional Drones Startups Worth Following
Our top 10 picks offer a small window into the drone startup scene. Together, the companies on our full list have raised over two billion dollars, with most working in robotics and mobility.
Some of these startups are just taking flight, while others are already scaling quickly. Below is a look at the rest of the companies shaping this fast-growing field.
