# Shield AI

**Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/shield-ai  
**Vertical:** Government Tech  
**Subcategory:** Defense & Autonomous Systems  
**Tier:** Challenger  
**Website:** shield.ai  
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-14

## Summary

Defense AI company building autonomous drones and AI pilots. $12.7B valuation after $2B Series G (2026). ~$300M 2025 rev. Founded 2015, San Diego. Private.

## Company Overview

Shield AI is an American aerospace and defense technology company founded in 2015 by former Navy SEAL Brandon Tseng, his brother Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Shield AI develops AI-powered autonomous systems for military and defense applications. Its core products include the Hivemind autonomy software platform, the V-BAT vertical take-off and landing drone, and the X-BAT — the world's first AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet with a 2,000 nautical mile range.

Shield AI's business model centers on its Hivemind software platform, which enables aircraft and drones to execute autonomous missions in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments without remote pilots. Hivemind accounted for approximately 30% of revenue in 2025, with a target of 50% software revenue by 2028. The company competes in the rapidly growing defense autonomy market alongside Anduril, Skydio, and traditional defense primes.

In March 2026, Shield AI raised $2 billion in Series G funding led by Advent and JPMorgan, with Blackstone contributing $500M in preferred shares, valuing the company at $12.7 billion. Revenue reached approximately $300M in 2025, with projections exceeding $540M for 2026 (80%+ growth). Gary Steele was appointed as the new CEO in late 2025, signaling potential IPO readiness.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What does Shield AI do?
Shield AI builds AI-powered autonomous systems for defense, including the Hivemind autonomy software that enables drones and aircraft to operate independently in contested environments without GPS or communications.

### What is Shield AI's valuation?
Shield AI is valued at $12.7 billion as of its March 2026 Series G funding round, which raised $2 billion from investors including Advent, JPMorgan, and Blackstone.

### Is Shield AI publicly traded?
No, Shield AI is a private company as of early 2026, though it is widely considered to be positioning for a potential IPO.

### What is Shield AI's Hivemind platform?
Hivemind is Shield AI's core AI pilot software that enables autonomous flight for various aircraft in GPS-denied and communications-degraded environments.

### What was Shield AI's revenue in 2025?
Shield AI generated approximately $300 million in revenue in 2025, projecting over $540 million in 2026.

### What aircraft does Shield AI's Hivemind fly?
Hivemind has been demonstrated on F-16 fighter jets, V-BAT drones, and Shield AI's own Nova drone platforms, enabling AI-piloted autonomous flight in GPS-denied environments for both manned and unmanned platforms.

### What is Shield AI's competitive position vs. Anduril?
Both are prominent defense AI startups, but Shield AI focuses primarily on autonomous aviation and AI pilot software, while Anduril builds a broader range of autonomous systems including ground vehicles, underwater systems, and sensor networks.

### Is Shield AI publicly traded?
No, Shield AI is a privately held defense technology company founded in 2015 by Ryan Tseng and Brandon Tseng, with a $12.7 billion valuation following its 2026 Series G.

## Tags

b2b, saas

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*Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*