techcrunch.com
U.S. startup Zipline is expanding its autonomous drone delivery service to Houston and Phoenix early this year following a $600 million funding round, valuing the company at $7.6 billion. This capital will fuel a broader push to operate in at least four U.S. states by 2026.
Founded in 2014, Zipline originally launched in Rwanda delivering medical supplies. It now operates globally, having completed over 2 million deliveries. In the U.S., the company recently partnered with Walmart, Panera, and Chipotle to deliver food and retail goods using its Platform 2 drones, which cover a 10-mile radius. CEO Keller Cliffton views 2026 as a breakout year for the industry, positioning Zipline to rival competitors like Amazon Prime Air and Wing (Alphabet).
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