Skydio, based in San Mateo, California, makes the X10 autonomous drone and docking systems for public safety, utilities and defense. In March 2026 the US Army placed an order worth more than $52 million for over 2,500 X10D drones.
At a glance
| Price from | Custom |
| Best for | Public safety, utility and defense teams that need US-made drones |
From Skydio's own website.
What stands out
- US-made and cleared for government use
- Strong onboard autonomy
Worth knowing
- Enterprise pricing only
- No consumer line
How it ranks
Skydio is ranked 6th of 10 in Best Hardware Startups to Watch (Lister Score 90.3).
#6 in Best Hardware Startups to Watch · Lister Score 90.3
Skydio, founded in 2014 and based in San Mateo, California, makes autonomous drones such as the X10 and remote docks for defense, public safety and infrastructure inspection. In April 2026 it raised a $110 million Series F at a $4.4 billion valuation.
In March 2026 the US Army ordered more than 2,500 X10D drones from Skydio in a $52 million deal..
| Rank | Best Hardware Startups to Watch | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oura | 96.4 |
| 2 | Base Power | 95.2 |
| 3 | Zipline | 94.0 |
| 4 | Verkada | 92.8 |
| 5 | Flock Safety | 91.5 |
| 6 | Skydio | 90.3 |
| 7 | Nothing | 89.0 |
| 8 | Eight Sleep | 87.7 |
| 9 | Lumafield | 86.4 |
| 10 | Framework Computer | 85.1 |
Frequently asked questions
How does Skydio rank on Lister?
Skydio is ranked 6th of 10 in Best Hardware Startups to Watch (Lister Score 90.3).
Appears in
- #2 in Best Drone Companies · Deep Tech
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