American-Ukrainian Startup Vermeer Raises $10M to Scale GPS-Free Drone Navigation
The startup will scale its GPS-free visual navigation platform as deployments expand across defense and dual-use applications.
KYIV, Ukraine — 23 October 2025
American-Ukrainian defense tech startup Vermeer said it has raised $10 million in Series A funding following an extension led by Draper Associates. Headquartered in New York with forward operations in Kyiv, the company reports more than 30 customers across defense and industry, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.
Co-investors include AeroX Ventures, Boscolo Intervest, High Point Ventures, Rockaway Ventures, and the U.S. Air Force Techstars program. Vermeer said the capital will support product development, expanded manufacturing capacity, and partnerships with the U.S. military, NATO allies, and Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Vermeer’s Visual Positioning System (VPS) enables drones and other autonomous platforms to navigate without GPS. The system uses up to four electro-optical or infrared cameras and onboard AI to match live video against 2D/3D reference maps, delivering precise localization when satellite signals are jammed or spoofed.
“Dual-use tech catalyzes technical progress in both the defense and commercial sectors. And much of this innovation is already being deployed, to great success,” said Andy Tang, partner at Draper Associates. “One of the reasons we backed Vermeer is the incredible rate of success they’ve achieved specifically in helping Ukraine strengthen its drone fleet.”
“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,” said Vermeer CEO Brian Streem. “Our goal isn't just to give drones mass — it's to give them precision, intelligence, and purpose. We're proud to have earned the trust of over 30 customers, and with the support of Draper, and our other venture partners, we're ready to scale that mission.”
Because VPS is passive and does not rely on external signals, Vermeer positions it as resilient in contested airspace. The company cites deployments with U.S. defense organizations and major contractors and says Ukraine’s military is using the technology to maintain navigation under electronic attack.
“Unlike GPS, Vermeer’s system operates without radio signals and remains functional even when GPS is disrupted or non-existent,” said Petr Šmíd, general partner at Rockaway Ventures. “We believe this unique technology will become the standard for drones, robots, and other autonomous platforms, driving a new wave of autonomous systems.”
Founded in 2018, Vermeer participated in the Air Force Accelerator powered by Techstars and has received more than $7 million in SBIR and AFWERX non-dilutive funding to advance the platform. The company has grown from 10 to 40 employees over the past year, including eight team members in Ukraine. The new funds will back continued technical improvements and help meet growing customer demand.
