Story of Shield AI: Founder and CEO – Justin Lie
Story of Shield AI:
Mission Born from Battlefield Experience
Shield AI was founded in 2015 in San Diego, California,
by brothers Brandon and Ryan Tseng, alongside Andrew Reiter. The mission
stemmed from Brandon Tseng’s firsthand experiences as a Navy SEAL in
Afghanistan, where missions faced severe risks due to poor reconnaissance in
hostile environments. The founders envisioned building autonomous systems that
could protect service members and civilians by providing smart, real-time
situational awareness in dangerous and complex operations.
Early Challenges and Determination
Starting with a modest seed fund of $100,000 from family
and friends, Shield AI faced skepticism from investors hesitant about defense
technology ventures. Despite these challenges, the team persevered, developing
prototypes for autonomous drones designed to operate in environments where GPS
and communications might be unreliable or completely unavailable. Their
resilience led to critical early contracts such as one with the US Department
of Defense's Innovation Unit by 2016.
Breakthrough with Nova and V-BAT Drones
In 2018, Shield AI made a significant breakthrough with
the Nova quadcopter drone, becoming the first fully AI-piloted drone deployed
in combat zones. The drone demonstrated its ability to navigate autonomously in
GPS-denied environments, providing soldiers with crucial reconnaissance without
exposing them to danger. The following year, the company launched V-BAT, a
vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone that enhanced operational
capabilities with longer endurance and versatile mission profiles.
Powerful AI-Powered Command and Control
Shield AI also developed the Hivemind AI system, a
command and control software platform that allows operators to manage multiple
unmanned systems simultaneously. This platform integrates advanced algorithms
and sensors to provide autonomous navigation, decision-making, and real-time
situational awareness, enabling coordinated missions in complex and contested
environments.
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Growing Global Presence and Diverse Technology Portfolio
Today, Shield AI operates globally with offices in the
United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. Beyond drones, it
develops sophisticated autonomy tools and teaming drone systems like MQ-20
Avenger and MQM-178 Firejet. These products are designed for reconnaissance,
surveillance, and electronic warfare missions, showcasing the company’s
commitment to advancing military technology and autonomous systems.
Impressive Funding and Valuation
Shield AI’s innovations and strategic vision have
attracted significant financial backing. The company has raised over $1.1
billion through various financing rounds, including debt financing, reflecting
investor confidence in its technology and mission. By 2021, Shield AI was
valued at over $1 billion, marking its status as a 'unicorn' in defense tech.
Commitment to Protecting Lives with Autonomy
At its core, Shield AI’s goal remains clear: to protect
lives by empowering military forces with intelligent systems that can operate
autonomously in contested and degraded environments. Their technology helps
overcome challenges like lost communications and overwhelmed operators by
providing resilient, autonomous capabilities that turn complex missions into
manageable ones.
A Future Driven by Intelligent Autonomous Systems
As Shield AI continues to innovate, it leads the way in
autonomous defense technologies. Its expanding portfolio and advanced
AI-powered software promise to redefine modern warfare and intelligence,
protecting service members and civilians with smarter, self-sufficient systems.
The company’s journey from a small startup to a defense technology leader
highlights its unique blend of military insight and cutting-edge innovation.
Integrated Timeline Summary
- 2015: Shield
AI founded in San Diego by Brandon Tseng, Ryan Tseng, and Andrew Reiter.
- 2016: Received
first contract from US Department of Defense’s Innovation Unit.
- 2018: Nova
drone becomes the first fully AI-piloted drone deployed in combat.
- 2019: Launch
of V-BAT VTOL drone.
- 2021: Secured
$7.2 million contract from US Air Force; company valuation surpasses $1
billion.
- 2022–2025: Expanded
global offices and launched advanced systems like Hivemind, Avenger, and
Firejet drones.
- Present: Over
$1.1 billion raised; leading defense AI and autonomy company worldwide.
