Startup Theseus develops GPS-free drone navigation tech, secures funding and military interest

In February 2024, engineer Ian Laffey tweeted about a low-cost drone he co-developed at a hackathon with Sacha Lévy and Carl Schoeller. The drone could determine its coordinates using only a camera and Google Maps—no GPS signal required. The tweet quickly went viral, leading the trio to form a startup, Theseus, and join Y Combinator’s Spring 2024 cohort. A year later, Theseus has raised $4.3 million in seed funding from First Round Capital, Y Combinator, and Lux Capital.

Unlike many drone startups, Theseus doesn’t build full drones. Instead, it focuses on hardware and software components that allow any military drone to operate without GPS, addressing the increasing issue of GPS jamming seen in modern conflict zones like Ukraine. Theseus’ tech is aimed at safely guiding drones from point A to B, not engaging in targeting or combat decisions. The startup has not yet secured battlefield deployments but has attracted the interest of U.S. Special Forces, who have entered an early testing and development agreement.

Theseus is currently using its funding to refine its technology and expand its engineering team. CEO Carl Schoeller reflects on the rapid journey from strangers to startup founders, crediting a single viral tweet for launching their company into the defense tech spotlight.