Paladin

The company provides a drone, software, and a data management platform, and obtains FAA waivers on behalf of departments to support compliant, legal operations.

aladin simplifies the FAA waiver process to help public safety agencies operate drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).

Houston startup Paladin Drones, founded in 2018, is focused on using drones to support first responders in emergency contexts. In February 2026, it debuted its Knighthawk 2.0 model.

Curious, humble, and deeply motivated people thrive with Paladin.

Paladin founder Divy Shrivastava grew up in a town north of Columbus, Ohio. In 2016, just as he was readying to attend Berkeley for engineering, a close friend’s house burned down in a fire. This event had a massive impact on Divy and the community as a whole.

Equipped with the latest in LTE-enabled drone technology, First Responders can increase their situational awareness, operate more effectively, and save lives.

Paladin delivers real-time aerial intelligence within 90 seconds, before first responders arrive, to improve safety and response.

Paladin’s Commitment to Privacy, Safety, and Ethics

Paladin Drones introduces a specialized drone model designed to assist first responders in public safety operations. The startup leverages technology to enhance emergency response capabilities, targeting applications for law enforcement and disaster relief teams.

Feb 2026Houston ChronicleNews article

Paladin Drones alleges its former vice president attempted to misappropriate company assets following a failed attempt to seize control. The lawsuit claims the executive sought unauthorized access to financial and operational resources during the dispute. The company highlights internal conflicts as the core issue in the legal action.

Dec 2025DroneXLNews article

Toyota Ventures invests in Paladin, a drone company developing flexible solutions for first responders. The company targets law enforcement and emergency services, where drones are increasingly adopted for surveillance and response tasks. Experts project widespread use of drones by U.S. law enforcement agencies in the near future.

Oct 2024MediumNews article

Paladin uses remotely operated drones to help Asheville’s police locate people and deliver supplies during Hurricane Helene. Its software dispatches drones within 90 seconds of 911 calls, giving departments a live view to assess incidents and helping clear calls that need no response. The company has contracts with dozens of departments, reports nearly doubling quarter-over-quarter revenue, and has raised $5.2 million in a Gradient-led seed round to expand features such as supply drops and aircraft avoidance.

Oct 2024TechCrunchNews article