By Naraway
In this article
Zipline began in 2014 by flying blood to hospitals in Rwanda. On 5 November 2026, it announced $1.5 billion of new funding at a $21.5 billion valuation, and Walmart agreed to put Zipline drones at 300 more of its US locations. In January, the same company was valued at $7.6 billion.
Sources: TechCrunch (November 2026); Zipline (January 2026).
Who Invested in Zipline
Paradigm, WCM Investment Management and Layer Global led the round. Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity, Uber, Tiger Global, J.P. Morgan, ARK Invest and Salesforce Ventures also took part. Uber's stake follows a partnership the two signed earlier in 2026. Zipline says the money goes to expanding US manufacturing and hiring.
In January 2026, Zipline raised more than $600 million at $7.6 billion. In September, Bloomberg reported talks about a $1 billion round at around $20 billion. The final round came in larger, at both a bigger amount and a higher price.
The Walmart Deal: From 21 Sites to 321
Walmart and Zipline have worked together since 2021. They run 21 active drone delivery sites today. The new multi-year agreement adds 300 more across the US.
The business side has grown with it. Zipline's share of delivery revenue rose from 10.8% to 34.9% between March and October 2026, according to TechCrunch.
Zipline's Drones and Delivery Numbers
Platform 2
Home delivery. Carries up to 8 pounds to customers within a 10-mile radius.
Platform 1
Long-range deliveries for businesses and governments, 120 miles round trip.
In January, Zipline said it had passed 2 million commercial deliveries and 125 million autonomous miles, more than all other drone delivery companies combined by its count. Its US deliveries had grown about 15% week on week for seven months, and new sites reached 100 deliveries a day in about two days, against ten weeks for its first Dallas site. Median flight time was 3 minutes. It now operates in five African countries, several US cities and Japan.
Also readWhere did the record billion-dollar rounds of Q3 2026 go?
A 300-site rollout puts drone delivery inside ordinary retail apps, where customers choose it at checkout. Naraway's app team builds the ordering and tracking side of delivery products.
In short
Zipline announced on 5 November 2026 that it raised $1.5 billion at a $21.5 billion valuation, led by Paradigm, WCM Investment Management and Layer Global. The valuation is nearly triple the $7.6 billion it was given in January 2026. Alongside the round, Walmart signed a multi-year agreement to add 300 drone delivery sites across the US, up from 21 today. Zipline says it will spend the money on US manufacturing and hiring.
- $1.5 billion raised on 5 November 2026 at a $21.5 billion valuation.
- Led by Paradigm, WCM and Layer Global; Uber, Fidelity, ARK and Salesforce Ventures joined.
- Valuation nearly tripled from $7.6 billion in January 2026.
- Walmart is adding 300 drone sites to the 21 it runs with Zipline today.
- Zipline passed 2 million deliveries in January, more than the rest of the sector combined, by its count.
Sources
- Zipline hits $21.5B valuation as Walmart expands bet on drone delivery, TechCrunch (November 2026)
- Zipline Raises $1.5 Billion to Build Nationwide Drone Delivery Network, Zipline via GlobeNewswire (November 2026)
- Zipline surpasses 2 million deliveries, raises more than $600M, Zipline (January 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Zipline raise?
$1.5 billion, announced on 5 November 2026, at a $21.5 billion valuation.
Who invested in Zipline?
The round was led by Paradigm, WCM Investment Management and Layer Global, with Valor Equity Partners, Fidelity, Uber, Tiger Global, J.P. Morgan, ARK Invest and Salesforce Ventures.
What is Zipline's deal with Walmart?
A new multi-year agreement to add 300 drone delivery sites across the US. The two companies have worked together since 2021 and run 21 sites today.
How many deliveries has Zipline made?
Zipline said in January 2026 it had passed 2 million commercial deliveries and more than 125 million autonomous commercial miles.
