Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based public safety technology leader, has announced a $275 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, elevating its valuation to $7.5 billion.
The financing, supported by Greenoaks Capital, Bedrock Capital, and others, follows a year of rapid growth—crossing $300 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) and expanding partnerships with 4,800 law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Strategic Entry into Drone Technology with Aerodome Acquisition
In October 2024, Flock Safety acquired Aerodome, a pioneer in Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology, for over $300 million. The move positions Flock as a major player in drone-based public safety solutions.
Key integration plans include:
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Combining Aerodome’s automated BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drones with Flock’s existing surveillance ecosystem (license plate readers, cameras)
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Deploying advanced detect-and-avoid systems and automated battery-swapping docking stations to enable 24/7 operations
Aerodome co-founder Rahul Sidhu now leads Flock’s aviation division, focusing on scalable DFR programs that reduce response times to 86 seconds and cover a 4-mile radius
FAA Approval Signals Regulatory Breakthrough
In January 2025, the Elk Grove Police Department (CA) became the first agency to receive an FAA waiver for Flock Aerodome drones. This waiver allows for operations up to 400 feet with citywide coverage, enhancing situational awareness through integration with ground-based surveillance tools. The approval also reduces noise pollution and improves safety for first responders. This milestone marks a critical step toward broader adoption of remotely piloted DFR systems, which Flock dubs “DFR 2.0.”
National Security and Domestic Manufacturing Push
In response to growing pressure to limit reliance on Chinese-made drones, Flock Safety has announced plans to develop and manufacture its own suite of American-made drones. This initiative addresses concerns raised by U.S. officials regarding potential security risks associated with Chinese drone technology
Flock’s drone development strategy includes:
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Full NDAA compliance to meet Department of Defense and Homeland Security standards
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Interoperability with existing law enforcement infrastructure.
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Plans to hire 200+ U.S.-based engineers and manufacturing staff in 2025.
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Construction of a new 100,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Georgia.
Looking Ahead
With CFO Brandon Simins preparing for a potential IPO and 1,300+ employees already onboard, Flock Safety aims to dominate the $50 billion public safety technology market. Its dual focus on AI-driven investigative tools and homegrown drone systems reflects a broader industry shift toward integrated, secure solutions.
“Our goal is to create a seamless safety ecosystem—one that protects communities without compromising on ethical manufacturing or privacy,” a Flock spokesperson stated.
As of March 2025, Flock’s technology serves over 5,000 U.S. communities, with drone programs expected to expand to 100 cities by 2026.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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