Darkhive

Darkhive

Autonomous drones for short-range reconnaissance

Overview

Darkhive builds autonomous, short-range drones for reconnaissance and tactical data gathering, catering to military, public safety, and humanitarian users. Its product line includes Blue SUAS compliant drones, a DevSecOps platform for secure software deployment to drones, and a mobile FPV application for piloting. The drones are designed to be rapidly deployable and easy to use, with software that can be securely updated and managed through the DevSecOps platform, while data is collected via the FPV piloting app and onboard sensors. Compared with competitors, Darkhive offers an end-to-end stack that combines compliant hardware, secure software deployment, and user-friendly piloting in a cost-conscious package for defense and public-safety missions. The company aims to improve situational awareness and operational effectiveness in challenging environments by making critical reconnaissance capabilities accessible to those who need them most.

About Darkhive

Simplify's Rating
Why Darkhive is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Robotics & Automation

Hardware

Government & Public Sector

Defense

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$56.1M

Headquarters

San Antonio, Texas

Founded

2021

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • July 2, 2026 ribbon-cutting at Tobyhanna expanded brushless DC motor assembly capacity.
  • May 2026 Series B raised $30 million led by RTX Ventures.
  • Darkhive's website lists Air Force, AFRL, DIU, and USW R&E programs.

What critics are saying

  • Darkhive still depends on a handful of government programs for revenue concentration.
  • APFIT delivery timelines remain undisclosed, delaying production scale and customer receipts.
  • If Pentagon priorities shift, Darkhive loses its only credible path to scale.

What makes Darkhive unique

  • March 2026 APFIT awarded Darkhive $49.7 million, APFIT's largest contract ever.
  • Darkhive pairs software-defined drones with Fleetforge secure deployment for military users.
  • Founded by U.S. Special Operations veterans, it targets defense and public safety customers.

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Funding

Total Funding

$56.1M

Meets

Industry Average

Funded Over

4 Rounds

Series B funding is typically for startups that have proven their business model and need more funding to expand rapidly—often by entering new markets or adding more products. Investors are usually venture capital firms that specialize in later-stage investments.
Series B Funding Comparison
Below Average

Industry standards

$35M
$30M
Darkhive
$45M
Linktree
$65M
Substack
$100M
ClickUp

Benefits

Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

3%

1 year growth

-8%

2 year growth

3%
The Cincinnati Enquirer
May 7th, 2026
Darkhive Announces Close of $30 Million Series B Funding Round Led by RTX Ventures

Darkhive secures fresh round of investment on heels of its selection for record-breaking $49.7 million APFIT award from

EIN Presswire
May 7th, 2026
Darkhive closes $30M Series B led by RTX Ventures after securing record $49.7M Pentagon contract

Darkhive, a veteran-led aerospace and defense technology firm, has closed a $30 million Series B funding round led by RTX Ventures. Draper Associates and Bison Capital joined as new investors, alongside existing backers including 1011 Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Alamo Angels and Stellar Ventures. The San Antonio-based company will use the funds to accelerate production and delivery of its software-defined hardware solutions. The funding follows Darkhive's selection in March for a $49.7 million contract through the Pentagon's Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies programme, the largest award in APFIT history. Founded by US Special Operations veterans, Darkhive develops rapidly adaptable mission systems for military applications and works with various US defense agencies including the Air Force and Defense Innovation Unit.

The National Law Review
May 7th, 2026
Darkhive announces close of $30 million Series B funding round led by RTX Ventures.

Darkhive announces close of $30 million Series B funding round led by RTX Ventures. Darkhive secures fresh round of investment on heels of its selection for record-breaking $49.7 million APFIT award from the Pentagon. SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES, May 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ - Darkhive Inc., a veteran-led aerospace and defense technology firm, announced today the closing of its Series B round of funding. RTX Ventures, the venture capital division of RTX, led the round, joined by new investors Draper Associates and Bison Capital, with continued support from 1011 Ventures, Crosslink Capital, Alamo Angels, and Stellar Ventures. The $30 million Series B funding infusion will be used to accelerate production and delivery of its products to customers and expand resources available to innovate in collaboration with the Pentagon. "Darkhive's mission from the very beginning has been to equip military personnel on the front lines with the cutting-edge capabilities needed to assure success in their missions across operational domains. That remains our guiding ethos to this day," said John Goodson, CEO of Darkhive. "This latest round of investment, led by our partners at RTX Ventures, affirms our values-driven approach to innovation and allows us to move with urgency to put critical technology in the hands of those who serve. It also demonstrates our growth from an emerging tech startup to a reliable partner in strengthening the defense industrial base." With U.S. military demand to accelerate production and fielding of new systems, Darkhive is uniquely poised to rapidly build, deploy, and scale those new technologies. "Darkhive's progression is a testament to the strength of their technology and the discipline of their team," said Dan Ateya, managing director of RTX Ventures. "This funding round will help accelerate the maturation of their core hardware and software products for integration into operationally validated systems and new programs of record." In March, the Pentagon selected Darkhive to lead a $49.7 million program through the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT). The contract award is the single largest granted in APFIT program history. Congress established APFIT in 2022 to speed the transition of cutting-edge technologies into operational use, reduce acquisition timelines, and expand competition across the defense industrial base. As part of its agreement, Darkhive will advance its software-defined, rapidly adaptable mission systems and expedite the delivery of mission-critical capabilities to the U.S. forces. ABOUT DARKHIVE INC. Darkhive develops advanced, software-defined hardware solutions engineered for fast adaptation and scalable production. The company was founded by U.S. Special Operations veterans with deep operational experience and a commitment to accelerating innovative technologies for national defense. Darkhive's portfolio includes major programs with the U.S. Air Force, Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering (USW R&E), the Defense Innovation Unit, and the Air Force Research Laboratory. With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

PR Newswire
Sep 10th, 2024
Defense Tech Startup Darkhive Secures $21 Million Series A Investment Led By Ten Eleven Ventures

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Darkhive, Inc., a defense tech startup focused on open architecture Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) integrated with a secure software delivery system, closed its Series A investment round led by Ten Eleven Ventures.

SecurityWeek
Sep 10th, 2024
Darkhive Raises $21 Million for Drones, Secure Code Delivery System

Drone maker Darkhive has raised $21 million in a round led by cybersecurity-focused venture capital firm Ten Eleven.

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