Fundraising Fox

Theseus

YC S24

San Francisco, US · Founded 2024 · 7 employees · Hiring · 5 known investors

Theseus builds robotic situational awareness software using visual positioning for drones that operate in GPS-denied environments. The company serves military and defense platforms, providing a Micro Visual Positioning System designed for contested operational conditions.

Advanced ManufacturingAI & Machine LearningDefense TechHardwareRoboticsDronesDefenseUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S24)

Theseus was founded in 2024 by Ian Laffey and Sacha Lévy.

ILIan Laffey
Ian Laffeyin𝕏Co-founder · Chief Executive OfficerFounder of Theseus, which develops visual positioning software for autonomous systems operating in GPS-denied environments.
SLSacha Lévy
Sacha Lévyin𝕏Co-founder · Chief Technology OfficerHe previously conducted computer science research at Yale University on applications of large language models to biological data, and holds a computer engineering degree from McGill University.

Investors · 5

Y Combinator✓ verifiedSan Francisco · $500K
AntlerreportedSingapore · $3M – $10M
First Round Capitalreported · 2 sourcesSan Francisco · $1M – $7M
Foresite CapitalreportedWest Hollywood
Lux Capitalreported · 2 sourcesNew York · $100K – $100M

Funding

SEC filings, press & company announcements

$4.3M disclosed across 1 of 2 rounds · 2025

Source: company announcements and press reports — follow each round's link for the claim.

In the news

Theseus Raises $4.3M to Develop GPS-Free Drone Navigationtechnews180.com · Apr 2025Theseus Raises $4.3 Million Seed Round Led By First Round Capital With Participation From Y Combinator And Lux Capital<!-- --> | TradedVCtraded.co · Apr 2025Tech Startup Theseus Raises $4.3M in Seed Funding for Innovative Drone Technology | Venture Capitalventurecapital.com · Apr 2025Defense tech Theseus landed Y Combinator, the US Special Forces, and $4.3M from a tweet | TechCrunchtechcrunch.com · Apr 20259 startups that stood out on YC Demo Day 2techcrunch.com · Sep 2024Theseus: GPS Denied Navigation for Dronesycombinator.com · Sep 2024Theseus Pharmaceuticals Debuts with $100M Series B Raise to Develop Pan-Variant Kinase Inhibitorsprnewswire.com · Apr 2021Theseus Pharmaceuticals Raises $100M in Series B Funding - FinSMEsfinsmes.com · Apr 2021

Frequently asked questions

What does Theseus do?
Theseus builds robotic situational awareness software using visual positioning for drones that operate in GPS-denied environments. The company serves military and defense platforms, providing a Micro Visual Positioning System designed for contested operational conditions.
Who founded Theseus?
Theseus was founded by Ian Laffey, Sacha Lévy in 2024.
Who are Theseus's investors?
Theseus's investors include Y Combinator, Antler, First Round Capital, Foresite Capital, Lux Capital.
How much funding has Theseus raised?
Theseus has disclosed $4.3M raised across 1 of its 2 known rounds.
Where is Theseus headquartered?
Theseus is headquartered in San Francisco, US.