# Shield AI

Shield AI is an other based in San Diego, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** other
- **Headquarters:** San Diego, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** San Diego, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2015
- **Assets under management:** $12.7B
- **Website:** shield.ai

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Shield AI was founded in 2015 by brothers Brandon Tseng and Ryan Tseng along with Andrew Reiter. Brandon Tseng served as a Navy SEAL and saw gaps in battlefield intelligence that autonomous systems could fill; the company started from the premise that the military of 2030 would use AI pilots across all domains. The firm develops Hivemind, an autonomy stack for aircraft that is combat-tested and modular. It has flown the X-62 VISTA fighter jet, Kratos MQM-178 Firejet drones, and the MQ-20 Avenger, performing tactical maneuvers autonomously against human pilots (per company announcements, 2024–2025). Shield AI also builds the V-BAT drone, an ISR and targeting platform. The company operates primarily in the US defense market and works with allied nations. Shield AI has raised substantial venture funding but does not disclose AUM or deployment figures. The company has no separate investment arm; it operates as an aerospace and defense technology firm. In 2024, it announced the integration of Hivemind with the US Air Force's X-62 VISTA program, conducting autonomous dogfighting tests. Shield AI's structure differs from traditional defense contractors because it builds both the AI software and the hardware platforms, controlling the full autonomy stack. Its founders remain active operators—Brandon Tseng as a Navy SEAL veteran, Ryan Tseng as CEO—giving the company a direct mission-driven link to its customer base.

## Sectors

- AI/ML
- Robotics & Automation
- Defense Technology

## People

- Brandon Tseng — Co-Founder
- Ryan Tseng — Co-Founder
- Andrew Reiter — Co-Founder

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Shield AI?

Shield AI is not an investment firm; it is an aerospace and defense technology company. Strategic decisions are made by co-founders Ryan Tseng (CEO) and Brandon Tseng, along with executive leadership. The company raises venture capital and reinvests in R&D and production.

### What is Hivemind and how is it different from other military AI?

Hivemind is Shield AI's autonomy stack for aircraft. It is designed to operate in contested, GPS-denied, and communications-degraded environments, enabling platforms to execute missions without constant human input. Unlike traditional defense software, Hivemind is platform-agnostic and has been flown on fighter jets, drones, and optionally manned aircraft.

### Does Shield AI invest in outside companies?

No. Shield AI is a technology developer, not an investment vehicle. It does not manage a fund or make external equity investments.

### Which sectors does Shield AI explicitly avoid?

Shield AI focuses exclusively on defense and national security applications. It does not develop commercial or consumer autonomy products.

### What is the relationship between Shield AI and traditional defense primes?

Shield AI operates independently but collaborates with primes like Kratos (for the Firejet drone tests) and the US Air Force (for X-62 VISTA). It positions itself as a more agile, software-first alternative to legacy contractors.

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Last updated: 2026-07-09T01:22:37.577Z

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