Fundraising
Paladin: Drone-Enabled First Response
Paladin: Drone-Enabled First Response for Public Safety
Paladin, a Y Combinator Summer 2018 alum, develops autonomous and semi-autonomous drones designed to support first responders during 911 calls. Their platform dispatches drones from fire stations or public safety hubs, streams live video, and augments situational awareness, helping emergency teams act faster and more safely.
Mission & Vision
Paladin’s mission is to reduce response times, improve decision-making, and save lives by extending aerial eyes to emergencies. They envision a future where every 911 call in the U.S. triggers an automatic drone dispatch—providing first responders with critical situational intel before arriving on scene.
Fundraising & Financials
In 2024, Paladin raised $5.2 million in a seed round, led by Gradient Ventures. Other investors in that round include Khosla Ventures, Toyota Ventures, and 1517.
Earlier, in 2019, Paladin raised $1.3 million in seed funding from Khosla Ventures and Paul Buchheit (of Gmail fame).
According to Tracxn, Paladin Drones’ cumulative funding is listed as $21.4 million.
Paladin’s investors describe the 2024 seed round as a bet on transforming public safety by applying AI and autonomous systems in emergency response.
Recent Milestones & Achievements of Paladin
Paladin claims its systems have run over 12,000 missions across multiple jurisdictions.
Public safety users report average response times under 90 seconds using Paladin drones, and that in roughly 30% of calls, on-the-ground dispatch was avoided thanks to drone information.
Paladin launched a “Payload Drop” feature that lets drones deliver life-saving equipment on scene—such as naloxone, AEDs, or life vests—before responders arrive.
The company introduced hardware and systems like Knighthawk, a drone with ~55-minute flight time, LTE connectivity, and extended operational range.
Their platform includes software like Watchtower, a management/control system that works with both Paladin’s own drones and third-party platforms.
Core Technology & Product Suite
Paladin’s solution blends hardware, software, and data into an integrated response platform:
Knighthawk Drone: Built for beyond-line-of-sight operations, using LTE for connectivity rather than traditional radio links. Enables operation over longer distances without local pilots.
EXT2 Module: A plug-in module for existing drones, providing enhanced autonomy, LTE connectivity, and enabling integration with Paladin’s software stack.
Watchtower: The control and data platform that enables dispatch control, mission logging, video streaming, and fleet management.
Payload Drop Capability: Drones can carry small, lightweight, critical aid items to the scene ahead of first responders.
AI & Computer Vision: Paladin’s systems use AI models for navigation, obstacle detection, object recognition, and real-time situational awareness.
Market Position & Traction
Paladin sits at the intersection of drone autonomy, public safety, and civic infrastructure. Unlike commercial delivery drones, Paladin’s target is mission-critical, high-stakes usage. Its value is not in moving goods but in accelerating emergency decision making.
Given that many police and fire departments operate under resource constraints, Paladin’s ability to reduce on-site uncertainty and dispatch time gives it a strong foothold. Its user metrics—missions flown, avoided dispatches, and short response times—serve not just as marketing but as real-world proof of value.
With growth in urban populations, climate-driven disasters, public safety demands, and regulatory acceptance of drone operations, Paladin is well positioned to scale civic drone services nationwide.
Why Paladin Is a Company to Watch
Paladin bridges advanced drone autonomy with real-world public safety impact. Its dual focus on hardware and software, plus features like payload drop, set it apart from typical drone firms. It has traction in adoption, measurable efficiency gains, and strong investor backing.
If it can expand its footprint across many municipalities, integrate more agency partners, and scale operations while maintaining reliability and safety, Paladin could become a foundational layer in emergency response systems in the U.S. and beyond.
