Defense Tech Startup Vermeer Secures $10M to Scale GPS-Independent Navigation Technology

Vermeer, an American-Ukrainian defense technology startup specializing in vision navigation and autonomy systems, has closed a $10 million Series A funding round led by Draper Associates. The investment consortium includes AeroX Ventures, Boscolo Intervest, High Point Ventures, Rockaway Ventures, and the U.S. Air Force Techstars accelerator program, signaling strong confidence in the company's strategic direction.

The capital infusion comes at a critical juncture for defense technology as electronic warfare capabilities continue to advance globally. Vermeer's Visual Positioning System technology addresses a fundamental vulnerability in modern military operations: the reliance on GPS signals that can be jammed or spoofed by adversaries. The system uses multiple electro-optical or infrared cameras to interpret environmental data, comparing live visuals against pre-existing maps and landmark databases while leveraging AI processing through Nvidia chips.

This funding will enable Vermeer to expand partnerships with U.S. military forces, NATO allies, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where the technology is already actively deployed to maintain drone efficacy against electronic warfare countermeasures. The company's customer base of over 30 organizations includes the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, demonstrating the technology's relevance across both military and defense contractor ecosystems.

Vermeer CEO Brian Streem emphasized the unique advantage of developing technology in active conflict zones. Building advanced technology in a war zone is not easy — but it's the only way to make it real. Operating alongside our partners on the front lines has forced us to iterate faster, build smarter, and focus on what actually works in combat, Streem stated. The company's growth from 10 to 40 employees within a year reflects the urgent demand for resilient navigation solutions.

The startup's early development was supported by the U.S. Air Force's Techstars accelerator and significant non-dilutive Small Business Innovation Research funding through the AFWERX program. These foundational partnerships have positioned Vermeer to scale its optical navigation technology for both defense and commercial applications, with the new funding accelerating product innovation to meet increasing global demand.

While Vermeer's $10 million raise is modest compared to other defense tech startups like Auterion and Mach Industries, the company's specialized focus on navigation resilience addresses a critical capability gap in autonomous systems. As geopolitical tensions intensify and electronic warfare becomes more sophisticated, technologies that maintain operational effectiveness in contested environments represent a vital advancement for military and commercial drone operations worldwide.