ANELLO Photonics raises $25M to scale GPS-free navigation tech
What's the deal? ANELLO Photonics, a Santa Clara-based maker of chip-scale optical gyroscopes, has raised $25M in an oversubscribed Series B-2 round. The funding was led by MESH, with new investor Washington Harbour Partners and existing backers including Lockheed Martin Ventures, Catapult Ventures, New Legacy Ventures, One Madison Group, IronGate Capital, and Mana Ventures.
The company builds silicon photonics-based inertial navigation systems that let autonomous vehicles, drones, and maritime vessels navigate without relying on GPS. It says its SiPhOG™ platform delivers fibre-optic-class performance in a compact, manufacturable form factor.
Why now? GPS vulnerabilities are growing fast. Jamming and spoofing attacks are disrupting both military operations and everyday commercial systems, with estimated costs reaching billions globally. As electronic warfare grows more sophisticated, reliable navigation without satellite signals is shifting from a nice-to-have to a necessity.
The rise of autonomous systems across defence and commercial sectors is compounding that urgency. More drones, unmanned vehicles, and robotic platforms mean more demand for navigation that works in contested environments.
What could go wrong? ANELLO is competing against established defence contractors with deep pockets and long-standing government relationships. Scaling production of advanced photonic chips is technically demanding, and any manufacturing bottlenecks could slow deployment. The company also faces the classic dual-use challenge: balancing defence contracts with commercial market expansion without overextending.
The signal: This raise reflects a broader trend of venture capital flowing into GPS-alternative and electronic warfare-adjacent technologies. Lockheed Martin Ventures' continued participation underscores that major defence primes see chip-scale inertial navigation as critical infrastructure, not a niche bet.
"ANELLO has the potential to become foundational infrastructure for the next generation of autonomous systems," said Tony Fai, partner at MESH. "This is a rare combination of breakthrough technology, execution, and timing."
As autonomy scales and signal denial becomes routine, the companies that can deliver reliable positioning without satellites stand to capture an enormous market — one that spans defence, logistics, agriculture, and beyond.
Read more: pr.timesoftheislands.com
