ZenaTech Inc. (NASDAQ:ZENA) shares climbed 2.4% in Tuesday’s premarket session after the AI-driven drone and tech solutions firm announced the opening of a new office in the Washington, D.C. metro area, a move designed to deepen engagement with federal agencies and expand its presence in the U.S. defense sector.
The new location in Manassas, Virginia places the company closer to key military decision-makers, including program executives, procurement officials, and congressional stakeholders. ZenaTech said it has begun hiring business development staff to support its outreach efforts.
“Having a Washington-based presence and local business development means we can engage directly with defense program offices and shape requirements early to win federal contracts through established DoW procurement channels,” said Shaun Passley, CEO of ZenaTech.
This expansion follows the company’s recent move to significantly grow its manufacturing footprint in Mesa, Arizona, where it is tripling the capacity of its ZenaDrone facility. According to ZenaTech, the combined initiatives are part of a broader plan to scale production and support rising demand for its advanced, non-weaponized UAV platforms.
ZenaTech’s defense offerings include the ZenaDrone 1000 — a mid-sized VTOL aircraft capable of lifting roughly 40 kg, which has been tested in paid programs with both the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve. The company also markets the IQ Square for reconnaissance applications and the IQ Nano, a small indoor drone designed for operations in GPS-restricted environments.