Dealflow | July 6, 2021

Zipline secures $250 million for drone delivery in Africa, Japan and the U.S.

Jessica Pothering
ImpactAlpha Editor

Jessica Pothering

ImpactAlpha, July 6 – Zipline launched its drone-delivery service five years ago to improve blood and medical-supply logistics in Rwanda. The California-based company is today partnering with governments in Nigeria and Ghana on COVID vaccine delivery. In June, it began working with COVID-vaccine maker Pfizer to boost its vaccine cold-chain logistics.

A $250 million Series E round, led by Baillie Gifford, will support Zipline’s expansion in Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Japan and the U.S. The round values Zipline at $2.8 billion.

Zipline made headlines in 2019 for raising $120 million, led by the Rise Fund, to expand from Africa to the U.S., where rural areas also struggle with access to healthcare products and services.

Zipline last year provided personal protective equipment deliveries to health facilities in Africa and the U.S.