AI-powered robotics firm targets $1.5B valuation in U.S. itemizing
Israeli drone and robotics firm XTEND has introduced plans to go public by way of a reverse merger with U.S.-listed JFB Development Holdings, in a transaction that values the mixed firm at roughly $1.5 billion. The deal features a strategic funding spherical backed by a number of buyers, together with Eric Trump.
The businesses acknowledged that the merger has been unanimously permitted by each boards and is anticipated to shut in mid-2026, topic to customary circumstances. Upon completion, the mixed entity will likely be renamed XTEND AI Robotics and is anticipated to commerce on the Nasdaq beneath the ticker image “XTND.” XTEND shareholders are anticipated to carry roughly 70% of the mixed firm, with JFB shareholders proudly owning the remaining 30% on a completely diluted foundation.
XTEND develops AI-powered drone programs and autonomous robotics platforms designed for protection, public security, and safety missions. The corporate’s proprietary working system, XOS, permits human-guided autonomous management of drones and robotic programs in advanced environments. XTEND says its platforms are designed to permit operators to carry out distant missions whereas minimizing direct publicity to danger.
DoD Contracts and Drone Dominance Program
The corporate has established ties inside the U.S. protection ecosystem. XTEND has acquired contracts from the United States Division of Protection and has participated in Pentagon initiatives geared toward accelerating the deployment of superior unmanned programs. Reporting signifies that XTEND has secured multimillion-dollar agreements and has been chosen for participation within the Division of Protection’s Drone Dominance Program, which focuses on quickly fielding low-cost, scalable drone applied sciences for operational use.
Along with U.S. protection engagement, XTEND has reported operational use of its programs in lively safety environments. The corporate positions its expertise as enabling exact distant operations by way of a mix of AI autonomy and human oversight.
Reverse Merger
The transaction consists of roughly $152 million in strategic funding commitments from a bunch of buyers supporting the general public itemizing. Eric Trump is amongst these taking part within the financing spherical tied to the merger.
The reverse merger construction permits XTEND to entry U.S. capital markets with out pursuing a conventional preliminary public providing. Reverse mergers have change into another path for growth-stage expertise firms in search of sooner entry into public markets.
If accomplished as deliberate, the itemizing would place XTEND amongst a rising group of defense-focused drone and robotics corporations buying and selling on U.S. exchanges. The transfer additionally displays continued investor curiosity in autonomous programs firms with established authorities contracts and defense-sector traction.
The businesses have indicated that additional particulars concerning management construction and post-merger governance will likely be launched nearer to the anticipated deadline in 2026.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone business and the regulatory setting for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the industrial drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the business. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising and marketing for brand spanking new applied sciences.
For drone business consulting or writing, E mail Miriam.
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