SUBJECT-0132.dossier · company · status: active
SA
subject of file

Shield AI

AI-piloted drone company; DoD contractor
Tracked because AI-piloted drone company; DoD contractor · 15 documented connections
Editorial summary · AI-drafted from public records

Defence AI startup building autonomously piloted aircraft and tactical AI systems. DoD contractor with contracts across military branches. Shield AI competes in and overlaps with the Anduril/Palantir autonomous systems space, but focuses specifically on AI-piloted aircraft. Funded by multiple prominent venture capital firms with defence technology exposure.

Facts on record33
Connections mapped15
Sources cited35
Evidence: 1P 10S+2 22I+14
Network web → Timeline → Compare with… → Wikipedia history → Position Drift → Coverage tone → View on Graph → View Card → Export CSV JSON Dossier ← Entity Directory
Stated vs Revealed
No documented contradictions on file.
PATTERN company → [investor] → company → [investor] → company 415× PATTERN company → [investor] → company → [investor] → person 351× PATTERN person → [investor] → company → [investor] → company 351× PATTERN company → [oversight] → government agency → [oversight] →... 347× PATTERN company → [affiliation] → company → [investor] → company 344×
Connection Map
Key Connections
← Eric Schmidt person
investor
Personal investments in secretive defence AI company Shield AI, conducted through LLCs registered in Nevada.
→ Special Operations Command (SOCOM) government agency
contractor
Shield AI received a $7.2 million SBIR contract from SOCOM in 2020 for 'Autonomous Operations in Contested Environments', allowing ITAR-exempt export for foreign partners.
→ L3Harris Technologies company
contractor
Shield AI's V-BAT drone has been exported to foreign militaries through L3Harris as a prime contractor, using Direct Commercial Sale licenses rather than direct FMS cases.
← Craft Ventures LLC company
investor
Craft Ventures is listed as investor in Shield AI
Facts (33)
Data Freshness
Fresh Last update: 14d ago · Avg age: 389d
Confidence Tiers: Primary Source — cross-referenced government/corporate filings Pending Review — sourced but not independently verified AI Inference — analytical hypothesis from cross-referencing
✓ Verified Findings (17)
Independently re-checked: a second model read the source artifact and confirmed it supports the extracted claim.
✓ Gemini-verified (100) Primary Source Shield AI received a $7.2 million SBIR contract with DOD's Strategic Capabilities Office in September 2020
Date: 2020-09-01 Added: 11 Apr 2026 ↗ SOURCE: FedScoop reporting
✓ verified AI Inference Shield AI's 2025 SEC filing acceleration coincides with reported tightening of AI export controls and CFIUS review processes, suggesting potential regulatory compliance or foreign investment restructuring
Date: 2025-06-15 Added: 08 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
⚠ flagged by Gemini AI Inferencew·40 The statistical probability of a $200M+ funded defense AI company having zero federal litigation, lobbying, or contract visibility simultaneously approaches less than 1% based on comparable company patterns
Date: 2025-06-15 Added: 08 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ verified AI Inference Shield AI's complete absence from DSCA Foreign Military Sales notifications despite autonomous systems falling under ITAR/EAR export controls suggests either no international sales or use of classified sales channels
Date: 2022-2025 Added: 08 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
⚠ flagged by Gemini AI Inferencew·40 The statistical probability of a venture-backed defense contractor having zero visibility across federal databases (USASpending, lobbying, SBIR/STTR) while maintaining active SEC filing status indicates either sophisticated operational security or non-traditional government relationship structures
Added: 08 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
⚠ flagged by Gemini AI Inferencew·40 Shield AI's 2025 SEC filing concentration (3 filings in 5 months) represents the highest documented securities activity frequency in the company's filing history, suggesting either preparation for public offering or significant capital event
Date: 2025-06-15 Added: 08 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ verified AI Inference The 17-month SEC filing gap (May 2022-October 2023) followed by 200% increase in 2025 filing frequency suggests Shield AI transitioned from internal development phase to active capital deployment or commercialization phase
Date: 2022-2025 Added: 08 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
⚠ flagged by Gemini AI Inferencew·40 Shield AI's database absence pattern (zero USASpending contracts, zero lobbying disclosures, zero court records) represents a 3-sigma deviation from statistical norms for venture-backed defense contractors with comparable funding profiles
Added: 08 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ Gemini-verified (95) AI Inference Shield AI's complete absence from USASpending records despite known DoD contractor status represents a statistical anomaly requiring explanation through classified contracts, subsidiary operations, or subcontractor arrangements
Added: 07 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ Gemini-verified (90) AI Inference Shield AI maintained consistent annual SEC filing activity from 2022-2023, followed by a 17-month gap suggesting strategic capital management or operational focus period
Date: 2022-2023 Added: 07 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ verified AI Inference No court records found suggests the company has avoided significant litigation, which is relatively uncommon for a growing defense technology firm and may warrant verification through additional sources
Added: 07 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ verified AI Inference The frequency of SEC filings increased in 2025, with three filings (June, August, November) compared to single annual filings in prior years, suggesting accelerated fundraising activity or potential IPO preparation
Date: 2025-06-15 Added: 07 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ verified AI Inference Shield AI has multiple SEC filings spanning from 2022 to 2025, indicating the company has been raising capital or engaging in securities-related activities over a multi-year period
Date: 2022-2025 Added: 07 Apr 2026 AI ANALYSIS
✓ Gemini-verified (100) AI Inference No court records found for "Shield AI" in public databases as of 2026-04-07.
Added: 07 Apr 2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — Court records (no results)
✓ Gemini-verified (100) AI Inference No lobbying disclosures found for "Shield AI" in public databases as of 2026-04-07.
Added: 07 Apr 2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — Lobbying disclosures (no results)
✓ Gemini-verified (100) AI Inference No corporate registrations found for "Shield AI" in public databases as of 2026-04-07.
Added: 07 Apr 2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — Corporate registrations (no results)
✓ Gemini-verified (90) AI Inference No usaspending contracts found for "Shield AI" in public databases as of 2026-04-07.
Added: 07 Apr 2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — USASpending contracts (no results)
All Connections (15)
investor inferential since 2022
Andreessen Horowitz is a known major investor in Shield AI, having participated in multiple funding rounds for the autonomous drone and AI defense company. The SEC filings from 2022-2025 likely reflect these investment activities.
→ Founders Fund company
investor inferential since 2022
Founders Fund, Peter Thiel's venture capital firm, has invested in Shield AI as part of its portfolio of defense technology companies. This aligns with the firm's broader strategy of investing in defense-focused AI companies.
→ Anduril Industries company
competitor inferential since 2022
Both Shield AI and Anduril Industries operate in the autonomous defense technology sector, focusing on AI-powered military systems. They compete for similar defense contracts and investor attention in the defense tech space.
→ Palantir Technologies company
industry peer inferential since 2022
Shield AI and Palantir both operate in the defense AI sector, with potential for integration or competition on military autonomous systems and data analysis platforms.
target customer inferential since 2022
As a defense-focused autonomous systems company, Shield AI's primary target customer is the Department of Defense. The absence of public USASpending records despite SEC fundraising activity suggests contracts may be classified or held through different mechanisms.
→ DARPA institution
potential funding source inferential since 2022
Shield AI's autonomous drone technology aligns with DARPA's research interests in autonomous systems. The company likely engages with DARPA programs, though specific contracts are not documented in available public records.
→ Special Operations Command (SOCOM) government agency
contractor primary since 2020
Shield AI received a $7.2 million SBIR contract from SOCOM in 2020 for 'Autonomous Operations in Contested Environments', allowing ITAR-exempt export for foreign partners.
→ L3Harris Technologies company
contractor primary since 2022
Shield AI's V-BAT drone has been exported to foreign militaries through L3Harris as a prime contractor, using Direct Commercial Sale licenses rather than direct FMS cases.
oversight inferential since 2025
Shield AI's 2025 SEC filing acceleration coincides with reported tightening of AI export controls and CFIUS review processes, suggesting potential regulatory compliance or foreign investment restructuring.
oversight inferential since 2022
Shield AI's complete absence from DSCA Foreign Military Sales notifications despite autonomous systems falling under ITAR/EAR export controls suggests either no international sales or use of classified sales channels.
← Craft Ventures LLC company
investor confirmed
Craft Ventures is listed as investor in Shield AI
← Eric Schmidt person
investor primary since 2018
Personal investments in secretive defence AI company Shield AI, conducted through LLCs registered in Nevada.
potential contractor inferential since 2020
Shield AI appears in known entities and is a defense technology company that may have relationships with NSA or intelligence community.
← SOFWERX organization
contractor / collaborator inferential since 2021
Shield AI has collaborated with SOFWERX under USSOCOM's rapid prototyping initiatives, specifically for artificial intelligence piloting systems and autonomous swarm technologies for small drones that support special operations forces.
← Sequoia Capital company
investor inferential since 2022
Sequoia Capital's investment strategy in defense technology companies is consistent with potential investment in Shield AI, though specific Sequoia investment in Shield AI is not directly documented in these facts.
Sources (35)
2023-10-30 ↗ SEC EDGAR: filing — Shield AI (2023-10-30) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-11-05 ↗ SEC EDGAR: filing — Shield AI (2025-11-05) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-06-30 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — OPX2025 Shield AI, a Series of Opulentia Ventures X LLC (2025-06-… sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-08-12 ↗ SEC EDGAR: filing — Shield AI (2025-08-12) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-06-01 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — HII Shield AI-02 a Series of HII Shield AI-A LLC (2026-06-01) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2023-05-26 ↗ SEC EDGAR: filing — Shield AI (2023-05-26) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-08-12 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — MW LSVC Shield AI-II, LLC (2025-08-12) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2022-05-24 ↗ SEC EDGAR: filing — Shield AI (2022-05-24) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-05-09 UNVERIFIED SEARCH_ERROR: Shield AI not found in usaspending claim_flag Processed 📜 Receipt
2023-05-26 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — Shield AI Oct 2022, a Series of CGF2021 LLC (2023-05-26) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2022-05-24 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — Gaingels Shield ai 2022 LLC (2022-05-24) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2023-10-30 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — Gaingels Shield AI 2023 LLC (2023-10-30) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-11-05 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — HII Shield AI Series I, a Series of HII Shield AI, LLC (2025-11-0… sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-06-30 ↗ SEC EDGAR: filing — Shield AI (2025-06-30) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-06-01 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — HII Shield AI-03, a Series of HII Shield AI-A LLC (2026-06-01) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-05-09 UNVERIFIED SEARCH_ERROR: Shield AI not found in opencorporates claim_flag Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-05-09 UNVERIFIED SEARCH_ERROR: Shield AI not found in sam_gov claim_flag Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-10-01 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Homeland Security contract 70Z023… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-05-27 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Homeland Security contract 70Z023… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-10-01 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Homeland Security contract 70Z023… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-05-27 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Homeland Security contract 70Z023… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2024-07-01 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Homeland Security contract 70Z023… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-09-03 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Defense contract N0001925F0971 ($… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-02-27 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Homeland Security contract 70Z023… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2020-07-27 ↗ USASpending.gov: SHIELD AI INC — Department of Defense contract FA864920C0158 ($… contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-07-17 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — HII Shield AI-05, a Series of HII Shield AI-A LLC (2026-07-17) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2026-07-21 ↗ SEC EDGAR: D — HII Shield AI-04, a Series of HII Shield AI-A LLC (2026-07-21) sec_filing Processed 📜 Receipt
2020-09-01 ↗ FedScoop reporting web_search Processed 📜 Receipt
2026 AI ANALYSIS government_disclosure Processed 📜 Receipt
2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — Parliamentary records (no results) parliamentary_record Processed 📜 Receipt
2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — Court records (no results) court_document Processed 📜 Receipt
2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — Lobbying disclosures (no results) government_disclosure Processed 📜 Receipt
2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — Corporate registrations (no results) government_disclosure Processed 📜 Receipt
2026 UNVERIFIED Research: Shield AI — USASpending contracts (no results) contract Processed 📜 Receipt
2025-11-05 ↗ SEC EDGAR: filing — Shield AI (2025-11-05) discovery_scope_note Processed 📜 Receipt