Vermeer, an American-Ukrainian defense technology startup specializing in vision navigation and autonomy systems, has announced the close of its $10 million Series A funding round. The funding was led by Draper Associates, with participation from AeroX Ventures, Boscolo Intervest, High Point Ventures, Rockaway Ventures, and the U.S. Air Force Techstars program.
Headquartered in New York with forward operations in Kyiv, Vermeer is developing breakthrough optical navigation systems for drones and other autonomous platforms, designed to operate reliably in environments where GPS is unavailable, jammed, or spoofed. The funding will enable Vermeer to expand its partnerships with the U.S. military, NATO allies, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while scaling its Visual Positioning System (VPS) for both defense and commercial applications.
Vermeer’s VPS technology mimics human visual navigation, using multiple electro-optical or infrared cameras to analyze surroundings and compare them against 2D or 3D environmental maps. By leveraging AI and Nvidia-based processing, the system provides exact location awareness without relying on satellite signals, making it a significant asset for defense operations in GPS-contested environments.
The company has established itself as a trusted partner to major defense organizations, including the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman. In Ukraine, Vermeer’s navigation solutions are being deployed to enable drones to operate with precision despite heavy electronic interference from Russian forces.
Vermeer initially participated in the U.S. Air Force Techstars accelerator program, where it secured over $7 million in SBIR awards and additional non-dilutive funding from AFWERX to develop its VPS technology further. Over the past year, the company has grown from 10 to 40 employees, including eight based in Ukraine, as it continues to expand production and enhance its technical capabilities.
With this funding round, Vermeer plans to accelerate product development and expand its operational footprint to meet the growing demand for resilient, GPS-independent navigation systems across both military and commercial markets.
KEY QUOTES:
“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 One of the reasons we backed Vermeer is the incredible rate of success they’ve achieved specifically in helping Ukraine strengthen its drone fleet.”
“The Vermeer AI-based visual positioning system uses landmarks, stars, and other cues to help drones position themselves without needing GPS, which makes them more resilient and able to overcome jamming, spoofing, and other forms of technical attack. Their technology is changing the game for drone operations and their location accuracy. And it has innumerable applications outside of defense including for autonomous vehicles, remote delivery, and more.”
Andy Tang, Partner, Draper Associates
“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. 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.”
Brian Streem, CEO, Vermeer
“Vermeer’s navigation technology is easy to use, resistant to disruption, and scalable. Unlike GPS, Vermeer’s system operates without radio signals and remains functional even when GPS is disrupted or non-existent. We believe this unique technology will become the standard for drones, robots, and other autonomous platforms, driving a new wave of autonomous systems.”
Petr Šmíd, General Partner, Rockaway Ventures
