Zipline Raises $1.5 Billion to Expand Walmart Drone Delivery
Zipline secured $1.5 billion in funding at a $21.5 billion valuation to scale its U.S. drone delivery network, anchored by a new multi-year agreement with Walmart to launch 300 additional sites.
Zipline raised $1.5 billion to expand its U.S. drone delivery network, valuing the company at $21.5 billion. The funding round was led by Paradigm, WCM Investment Management, and Layer Global, with participation from Uber, Fidelity, Valor Equity Partners, Tiger Global, J.P. Morgan, ARK Invest, and Salesforce Ventures. The capital will support the expansion of U.S. manufacturing facilities and hiring to meet growing demand.
Walmart Partnership and Delivery Growth
Walmart and Zipline have reached a new multi-year agreement to add 300 drone delivery sites across the United States. This expansion builds on a partnership that began in 2021 and has already completed more than 2 million deliveries. The program currently operates from 21 active sites. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone, Zipline reported more than 1 million deliveries during 2026.
Restaurant Delivery Revenue Surge
Zipline's share of delivery revenue among its restaurant partners has grown dramatically. Between March and October 2026, it rose from 10.8% to 34.9%. Restaurants reported a 26% increase in gross merchandise value from deliveries during that period, with Zipline orders accounting for 80% of that growth.
Technological Advancements and Operational Metrics
Zipline has introduced a sound-optimized dynamic flying system to reduce flight noise while improving speed and energy efficiency. Its next-generation aircraft are designed to carry heavier payloads farther and more quietly. The company's operational performance is highlighted by a median delivery time of 19 minutes from checkout. In October, bakery orders were delivered in as little as 10 minutes.
Since beginning commercial operations a decade ago, Zipline's autonomous aircraft have accumulated 150 million commercial flight miles without a safety incident. The company started with medical deliveries in Africa before expanding to consumer delivery in the U.S., where it first operated in 2020 delivering medical equipment in North Carolina. It received its Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA in 2022. Anton Levy, an investor, noted the scale of the opportunity ahead. "Zipline has already brought the future of delivery to the communities it serves," he said. "Now, the opportunity is to reach millions more."
The funding will directly support the infrastructure needed for the massive Walmart expansion. Zipline plans to use the capital to grow its U.S. manufacturing footprint and hire additional employees to build and operate the 300 new delivery sites.
