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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
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
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- The $49.7 million APFIT award creates immediate Pentagon deployment and revenue momentum.
- RTX Ventures-led Series B improves access to prime contractors and programs.
- Dual-use public safety demand broadens sales beyond military procurement cycles.
What critics are saying
- Anduril, Skydio, and AeroVironment dominate small-UAS buying and production capacity.
- APFIT task orders can stall, reducing Darkhive's largest near-term revenue source.
- Any compliance failure on provenance, encryption, or export controls freezes defense deliveries.
What makes Darkhive unique
- Founded by U.S. Special Operations veterans, Darkhive targets operational military requirements.
- Its Blue SUAS-compliant drones pair open architecture hardware with secure software delivery.
- The May 2026 APFIT award validated Darkhive's software-defined mission systems.
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Funding
Total Funding
$56.1M
Meets
Industry Average
Funded Over
4 Rounds
Industry standards
Benefits
Hybrid Work Options
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -15%1 year growth
↓ -3%2 year growth
↑ 3%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.
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.
Drone maker Darkhive has raised $21 million in a round led by cybersecurity-focused venture capital firm Ten Eleven.
Defense tech startup Darkhive secures $21 million Series A investment led by Ten Eleven Ventures.
Darkhive Inc. announced the closing of a $4M Seed round led by Crosslink Capital and joined by MVP Ventures, Capital Factory, and existing investor Stellar Ventures.
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About Darkhive
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
There are no jobs for Darkhive right now.
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today