Defense tech Theseus landed Y Combinator, the US Special Forces and $4.3M from a tweet

Tech Crunch - Apr 17th, 2025

Ian Laffey, Sacha Lévy, and Carl Schoeller, young engineers under 25, created a low-cost drone at a hackathon using camera and Google Maps technology to calculate GPS coordinates without a signal. The innovation addresses issues faced by Ukrainian drone operators in GPS-jammed environments. Their tweet went viral, leading them to apply and get accepted into Y Combinator's Spring 2024 cohort. Subsequently, they raised $4.3 million in seed funding led by First Round Capital, with backing from Y Combinator and Lux Capital. Their San Francisco-based company, Theseus, focuses on hardware and software that allows drones to operate without GPS, rather than building drones themselves.

The rise of Theseus highlights the growing interest in drone-related technologies amidst global military and defense challenges. The startup has drawn attention from U.S. Special Forces, entering an agreement for early testing and development, and has already tested its system at a secret base. Although Theseus has not secured military contracts yet, its innovative approach and rapid growth position it as a notable player in the defense tech sector, alongside companies like Skydio, Shield AI, and Anduril. The venture underscores the potential of hackathon-born innovations to rapidly transform into significant business opportunities, driven by real-world needs and strategic funding.

Drones Military Technology Y Combinator Ian Laffey Sacha Lévy Carl Schoeller Theseus Gps Free Technology First Round Capital Lux Capital U.S. Special Forces

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an intriguing look at a startup's innovative approach to overcoming GPS jamming in military drones, which is a timely and relevant topic. It successfully captures the potential impact of new technology in the defense sector, but it could benefit from more balanced reporting by including perspectives from independent experts and competitors. The reliance on company sources without external validation affects the source quality and transparency. Despite these limitations, the story is well-written and clear, making complex technological concepts accessible to a broad audience. Its timeliness and public interest score high due to the relevance of the topic in current global conflicts, although its potential to provoke controversy or spark significant public debate is limited by its focus on technological achievements rather than ethical considerations.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims, such as the development of a drone by Ian Laffey and his colleagues, their acceptance into Y Combinator, and the subsequent seed funding they received. These claims are generally supported by the article's narrative, but some aspects require further verification. For instance, the exact cost and development time of the drone, as well as the viral nature of the tweet, should be confirmed through additional sources. Additionally, the story mentions an agreement with U.S. Special Forces, which is a significant claim needing substantiation. While the core details appear plausible, some specifics lack precise source support, which affects the overall accuracy.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the achievements and future potential of the company Theseus, resulting in a somewhat one-sided perspective. Although it mentions the broader context of the drone industry and other competitors, it does not delve deeply into potential criticisms or challenges Theseus might face. The piece could benefit from including perspectives from industry experts or competitors to provide a more balanced view of the technological and market challenges involved.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, presenting the information in a logical sequence that is easy to follow. The language is straightforward, making the technical aspects of the story accessible to a general audience. However, some jargon related to drone technology and military applications might require additional explanation for complete clarity.

Source quality

The article relies heavily on claims from the company Theseus and its CEO, Carl Schoeller, which may introduce bias. While it mentions TechCrunch as a source, it does not provide direct quotes or detailed attributions from independent experts or third-party confirmations. The reliance on company-provided information without external validation can affect the credibility and reliability of the reporting.

Transparency

The article does a reasonable job of explaining the context of the story, such as the hackathon and the drone's potential applications. However, it lacks transparency in terms of the methodology used to verify the claims made, such as the testing of the drone's capabilities or the specifics of the agreement with U.S. Special Forces. Greater transparency about the sources of information and potential conflicts of interest would enhance the article's credibility.