Shield AI

Shield AI is an American defense technology company headquartered in San Diego, California, founded in 2015 by Brandon Tseng (Co-Founder and President; former US Navy SEAL officer) and Ryan Tseng (Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer). The company develops Hivemind (the autonomy software stack capable of operating without GPS, communication links, or human pilot input), the Nova autonomous quadcopter, and the V-BAT vertical-takeoff fixed-wing aircraft (acquired through the 2021 Martin UAV acquisition). As of April 2026, Shield AI is one of the principal US autonomous-aircraft companies, with approximately $2.7 billion valuation following the May 2024 Series F round.

At a glance

• Founded: 2015 in San Diego, California, by Brandon Tseng and Ryan Tseng.
• Status: Private. Headquartered in San Diego, California.
• Funding: Approximately $1.5 billion in cumulative funding through Series F. May 2024 Series F valued the company at approximately $2.7 billion.
• CEO: Ryan Tseng, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
• Other notable leadership: Brandon Tseng, Co-Founder and President. Andrew Reiter, President of Aircraft. Senior engineering leadership across the Hivemind autonomy and V-BAT product programs.
• Open weights: No. Shield AI produces classified defense systems rather than open-research models.
• Flagship products: Hivemind autonomy software, Nova autonomous quadcopter, V-BAT vertical-takeoff fixed-wing aircraft.

Origins

Shield AI was founded in 2015 by brothers Brandon Tseng and Ryan Tseng in San Diego, California. Brandon Tseng's prior service as a US Navy SEAL officer informed the founding thesis: that small autonomous aircraft capable of operating without GPS, communication links, or human pilot input would change special-operations and tactical reconnaissance work. The early Nova quadcopter was the principal product through 2017 to 2020, and the company built initial customer traction with US special-operations units.

In 2021, Shield AI acquired Martin UAV, bringing the V-BAT vertical-takeoff fixed-wing aircraft into the product line. The V-BAT became the principal Group 3 (medium-tactical) UAS in Shield AI's portfolio and the platform for Hivemind autonomy demonstrations including team-of-V-BATs swarming exercises.

The 2022 to 2026 period saw expansion across allied-government customers, US Department of Defense Replicator program participation, and incremental Hivemind capability releases. Shield AI's V-BAT was selected for US Special Operations Command and US Coast Guard programs, with foreign military sales to allied governments through 2024 and 2025. The Series F closed in May 2024 at approximately $2.7 billion valuation.

Mission and strategy

Shield AI's stated mission is to protect service members and civilians with intelligent autonomous systems. The strategic premise is that small autonomous aircraft running advanced AI software produce capability that human-piloted aircraft cannot match in contested environments where GPS denial, electronic warfare, and communication-link disruption are routine.

The strategy combines two threads. First, the Hivemind autonomy software stack as the principal differentiator, capable of operating without GPS or remote pilot. Second, vertically integrated hardware product lines (Nova, V-BAT) that demonstrate Hivemind capability and produce direct revenue from US and allied-government customers.

Models and products

• Hivemind. Autonomy software stack capable of operating without GPS, communication links, or human pilot input. The principal Shield AI differentiator.
• Nova. Autonomous quadcopter for indoor and outdoor reconnaissance. The original Shield AI product.
• V-BAT. Vertical-takeoff fixed-wing aircraft acquired through the 2021 Martin UAV acquisition. The principal Group 3 UAS in Shield AI's portfolio.

The commercial channels span US Department of Defense direct procurement, allied-government foreign military sales, US Department of Homeland Security customers, and US public-safety customers.

Benchmarks and standing

Shield AI does not participate in academic AI benchmarks. The company's competitive position is measured through US Department of Defense and allied-government contract wins, V-BAT and Nova production volumes, and Hivemind autonomy demonstration results.

Industry coverage has consistently characterized Shield AI as one of the principal US autonomous-aircraft companies, with the V-BAT swarming demonstrations and the Hivemind GPS-denied capability cited as principal technical differentiators.

Leadership

As of April 2026, Shield AI's senior leadership includes:

• Ryan Tseng, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer.
• Brandon Tseng, Co-Founder and President. Former US Navy SEAL officer.
• Senior engineering and program leadership across the Hivemind autonomy and V-BAT programs.

Funding and backers

Approximately $1.5 billion in cumulative funding through Series F. Principal backers include Andreessen Horowitz, US Innovative Technology Fund, Riot Ventures, ARK Invest, and other late-stage investors. The May 2024 Series F at $2.7 billion valuation was co-led by Hanwha Aerospace and US Innovative Technology Fund.

Industry position

Shield AI occupies a distinctive position as one of the principal US autonomous-aircraft companies, with the Hivemind autonomy software stack, the V-BAT and Nova product lines, and a US Department of Defense and allied-government customer base. Industry coverage has frequently positioned Shield AI alongside Anduril and Skydio as the principal US autonomous-aircraft startups.

Competitive landscape

• Anduril. Direct US defense AI peer with hardware-and-software portfolio.
• Skydio. US autonomous-drone peer; principal commercial overlap on tactical UAS.
• AeroVironment, Kratos. Established US tactical-UAS primes.
• Boston Dynamics, Tesla AI. US autonomous-systems peers without aircraft-primary positioning.

Outlook

• Continued V-BAT and Nova production scaling through 2026 to 2027.
• Continued Hivemind autonomy software updates including the V-BAT teaming releases.
• Continued US Department of Defense Replicator program participation.
• Continued international foreign-military-sales expansion across allied governments.

Sources

• Shield AI official site. Company reference.
• Shield AI Hivemind. Autonomy software reference.
• Brandon Tseng LinkedIn. Co-Founder reference.
• Ryan Tseng LinkedIn. Co-Founder reference.
• Martin UAV acquisition coverage. Acquisition reference (2021).