National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency in the United States that funds and supports research and education in science and engineering. It funds fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering and administers non-dilutive funding programs to aid early‑stage technology development, helping translate discoveries into commercially viable products and services. Through grants and fellowships, the NSF supports researchers, educators, and startups, contributing to innovation and U.S. competitiveness. The agency operates with a substantial budget to advance science, engineering, and STEM education nationwide.

James Donlon

Program Director

Sean L. Jones

Assistant Director for Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Debasis Majumdar

Program Director

Graciela Narcho

Staff Associate

Sethuraman Panchanathan

Director

Past deals in Navigation and Mapping

National Air and Space Museum

Grant in 2023
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution has the world's biggest and most significant collection of aviation and space objects, including all aspects of human flight, as well as associated works of art and archive materials. It operates two iconic facilities that accommodate more than eight million visitors every year, making it the country's most visited museum. The Center for Earth and Planetary Studies is also housed there.

Xona Space Systems

Grant in 2022
Xona Space Systems develops and manufactures position, navigation, and timing satellite solutions for smart transportation and infrastructure. The company operates a constellation of low-cost, low-Earth-orbit satellites to deliver secure navigation and timing services with resilience and high location precision for autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, mobile robotics, and other location-critical applications. Founded in 2019 and based in San Mateo, California, Xona Space Systems aims to enable safe, scalable operation of intelligent systems at scale.

Anello Photonics

Grant in 2021
Anello Photonics, based in Silicon Valley, specializes in developing advanced sensors that deliver optical gyroscope performance at an affordable price. Founded by experts in silicon photonics and inertial navigation, the company has created a patented technology known as the Anello SiPhOG gyroscope. This innovative sensor leverages an integrated photonic system-on-chip that utilizes a proprietary waveguide process, which simulates the characteristics of optical fiber within a compact chip. Anello's technology aims to redefine navigation systems with next-generation capabilities, positioning the company as a leader in the mass-market sensor industry. The company has garnered support from prominent venture capital firms to propel its growth and technological advancements.

StarNav

Grant in 2021
StarNav is a developer and manufacturer of satellite receivers focused on delivering accurate and reliable positioning data for both government and private sector applications. The company specializes in converting ambient non-GNSS radio signals, including cellular, television, and satellite transmissions, into precise positioning information. This innovative technology enables vehicles to operate safely even in environments where traditional GNSS signals are unavailable, addressing a critical need for reliable navigation solutions during complete GNSS denial.

SubUAS

Grant in 2021
SubUAS specializes in the development of unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles designed for challenging environmental conditions. These vehicles are capable of operating in rough weather and strong underwater currents, making them suitable for a variety of applications. Each vehicle can be equipped with a customized suite of sensors tailored to specific missions, allowing clients to efficiently conduct inspection, reconnaissance, and payload delivery tasks. By leveraging advanced technology, SubUAS aims to provide cost-effective solutions that enhance operational effectiveness for its clients.

Xona Space Systems

Grant in 2020
Xona Space Systems develops and manufactures position, navigation, and timing satellite solutions for smart transportation and infrastructure. The company operates a constellation of low-cost, low-Earth-orbit satellites to deliver secure navigation and timing services with resilience and high location precision for autonomous vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, mobile robotics, and other location-critical applications. Founded in 2019 and based in San Mateo, California, Xona Space Systems aims to enable safe, scalable operation of intelligent systems at scale.

OAM Photonics

Grant in 2020
OAM Photonics specializes in photonic sensing solutions focused on 3D imaging, catering to industries such as autonomous driving, drones, and robotics. The company develops advanced photonic integrated circuits and coherent optical systems that leverage the orbital angular momentum of light to enhance sensing and imaging capabilities. Currently operating in stealth mode, OAM Photonics is positioned to innovate within the field of photonics, offering unique technology that could significantly impact various applications in emerging markets.

Unknot.id

Grant in 2019
Unknot.id develops AI-driven location intelligence and contextual behavioral analytics that convert multi-modal sensor data into a secure, highly accurate view of human contexts and spatial environments. Its platform analyzes signals from mobile sensors and other data sources to deliver real-time situational awareness and precise 3D location data across diverse environments, with integration capabilities for existing systems and a focus on reducing costs and risks associated with legacy location technologies. This enables industries such as hospitality, property management, law enforcement, defense, health care, logistics, manufacturing, and smart infrastructure to improve operational efficiency, safety, and decision-making.

Non-Inertial Navigation Technology

Grant in 2019
Non-Inertial Navigation Technology develops and deploys Non-Inertial Navigation systems and devices. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

TCarta

Grant in 2019
TCarta specializes in providing seabed mapping data for maritime applications. It offers hydrostatic and geospatial mapping systems and solutions, serving clients in geospatial intelligence, coastal engineering, environmental monitoring, and global mapping.

Wi Sense

Grant in 2019
Wi-Sense specializes in indoor mapping and device-free activity detection by leveraging advanced signal processing techniques and modern machine learning algorithms. The company develops applications that monitor changes in Wi-Fi signals within environments, allowing for the detection of activities such as movement and temperature fluctuations. By addressing limitations associated with traditional sensors and cameras, Wi-Sense enhances safety and efficiency in various facilities, enabling users to better understand and respond to dynamic conditions in their surroundings.

Yodel Labs

Grant in 2019
Yodel Labs is a developer of a mobile positioning platform focused on delivering highly accurate location services in the mobile device industry. The company specializes in an acoustic location processing system that provides centimeter-level accuracy for indoor positioning. By utilizing low-cost, energy-harvesting ultrasound beacons, Yodel Labs enables mobile application developers to create high-accuracy localization applications. This technology facilitates a seamless connection between the virtual and physical worlds, enhancing user experiences in various applications.

Manifold Robotics

Grant in 2019
Manifold Robotics is a company that specializes in developing innovative drone technology aimed at enhancing safety and efficiency in autonomous navigation. By utilizing electromagnetic fields (EMF) from power lines as a navigational source, the company enables drones to operate within shielded airspace, facilitating automated inspections of utility infrastructure. This capability allows for beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing the costs associated with power line inspections. Manifold Robotics focuses on creating practical solutions that simplify drone operations and enhance their safety, ultimately contributing to advancements in various industries reliant on aerial technology.

TCarta

Grant in 2018
TCarta specializes in providing seabed mapping data for maritime applications. It offers hydrostatic and geospatial mapping systems and solutions, serving clients in geospatial intelligence, coastal engineering, environmental monitoring, and global mapping.

Apollo AI

Grant in 2018
Apollo AI builds super-safe self-driving systems and HD maps. They offer mapping, object detection, tracking, and classification, as well as decision-making and path optimization. They also offer information theory, control systems, detection and estimation, machine learning, neural networks, communication and signal processing systems, systems design, and navigation.

Planck Aerosystems

Grant in 2018
Planck Aerosystems Inc. is an autonomous drone company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2014. The company specializes in developing innovative drone technology, particularly through its Shearwater software, which enhances surveillance and mapping capabilities for various applications, including emergency response and scientific research. Planck Aerosystems integrates artificial intelligence into its systems, enabling drones to operate autonomously from moving vehicles or vessels, both on land and at sea. This advanced vision-based navigation and control technology significantly expands the operational applications of drones across sectors such as security, defense, maritime, and logistics. Planck serves government agencies and industrial maritime operators, providing them with new capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.

AutoModality

Grant in 2017
AutoModality Inc. is a company that specializes in developing flight control software for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), enabling them to operate autonomously in environments where GPS signals are unavailable. Founded in 2014 and based in Syracuse, New York, AutoModality manufactures drone platforms that utilize off-the-shelf components to facilitate automated inspections. Their technology is particularly focused on the agriculture and infrastructure sectors, allowing for close-up inspections of structures such as bridges, culverts, rolling stock, and cell towers. The company's advanced navigation software and integrated sensors enable drones to approach inspection sites closely, providing real-time quality streaming from onboard cameras to handheld devices. This capability allows users to gather critical data in challenging locations that are often difficult to access. AutoModality is also recognized for its innovative contributions to the drone industry, exemplified by Team Autero, which won the 2016 DJI SDK Challenge.

Z-senz

Grant in 2017
Z-senz develops the next leap in LIDAR to enable safety and reliability in autonomous vehicles. The company's headquarters are in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2015 by a group of scientists with expertise in optics, lasers, material science, physics, and manufacturing,

Hydronalix

Grant in 2017
Founded in 2009, Hydronalix has become recognized as a leader and international symbol in robotics innovation for beach and flood rescue with Their successful patented EMILY product line. Their Mission is to provide enhanced value added capabilities to first responders, earth scientists, military, and safety to the maritime industry. Their focus is on development of small expendable maritime robotic technologies to support missions ranging from search and rescue, bathymetric mapping and underwater ISR, to meteorological station keeping and data gathering, in challenging open ocean and littoral marine environments. They have 11,000 square feet of Engineering, Office, and manufacturing space in Sahuarita, AZ. Water testing is performed at Silver-Bell, Patagonia, and Sahuarita Lakes in Arizona. Ocean and surf zone testing is performed in San Diego, Venice Beach, and Malibu, CA. Company sales are both domestic and overseas with export distribution through out Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The company maintains a growing staff of skilled engineers and technicians performing advanced development services and products for the Navy, NOAA, DARPA, and DHS. In addition to EMILY, the company produces a complete product line of advanced Autonomous Mobile Buoys (AMB). The company’s executive leadership team has collective experience of over 200 years in Ocean and Marine Engineering, Robotic systems, advanced sensors, manufacturing, and materials science.

Yodel Labs

Grant in 2017
Yodel Labs is a developer of a mobile positioning platform focused on delivering highly accurate location services in the mobile device industry. The company specializes in an acoustic location processing system that provides centimeter-level accuracy for indoor positioning. By utilizing low-cost, energy-harvesting ultrasound beacons, Yodel Labs enables mobile application developers to create high-accuracy localization applications. This technology facilitates a seamless connection between the virtual and physical worlds, enhancing user experiences in various applications.

Planck Aerosystems

Grant in 2016
Planck Aerosystems Inc. is an autonomous drone company based in San Diego, California, founded in 2014. The company specializes in developing innovative drone technology, particularly through its Shearwater software, which enhances surveillance and mapping capabilities for various applications, including emergency response and scientific research. Planck Aerosystems integrates artificial intelligence into its systems, enabling drones to operate autonomously from moving vehicles or vessels, both on land and at sea. This advanced vision-based navigation and control technology significantly expands the operational applications of drones across sectors such as security, defense, maritime, and logistics. Planck serves government agencies and industrial maritime operators, providing them with new capabilities to improve efficiency and effectiveness in their operations.

Kuma Signals

Grant in 2016
Kuma Signals is transitioning communications research into commercial products for the government. They involve in signal processing, digital communication, navigation, and software radio. They offer services for organizations with engineering hurdles in their product development. These services range from development and theoretical analysis to embedded implementation of wireless communications protocols and algorithms.

Z-senz

Grant in 2015
Z-senz develops the next leap in LIDAR to enable safety and reliability in autonomous vehicles. The company's headquarters are in Washington, D.C. Founded in 2015 by a group of scientists with expertise in optics, lasers, material science, physics, and manufacturing,

RF Ranging

Grant in 2014
RF Ranging is committed to provide the world's most accurate and reliable RF ranging and tracking solution.

TRX Systems

Grant in 2014
TRX Systems is a developer of indoor location solutions that provide precise, infrastructure‑free tracking in environments where GPS is unavailable. Its flagship NEON platform includes a wearable sensor unit, software for real‑time mapping, and APIs that fuse data from Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and time‑of‑flight ranging to deliver accurate positioning for personnel and assets. The NEON Personnel Tracker is used by industrial, security, public‑safety, and defense customers, while the NEON Signal Mapper offers 3‑D location for indoor test and measurement. Sensors are embedded in mobile phones, radios, and industrial devices, enabling seamless integration across commercial and mission‑critical applications. Founded in 2001, the company is headquartered in Greenbelt, Maryland, and sells its products through online channels.

Near Earth Autonomy

Grant in 2013
Founded in 2011, Near Earth Autonomy develops advanced technologies that enable safe autonomous flight for various ground and aerial vehicles. Their innovations include sensor suites, collision detection systems, and navigation aids, serving clients with applications ranging from small drones to full-size helicopters.

Pirouette Software

Grant in 2013
Pirouette Software is a personalized geospatial information provider. Myair and streetsmart are among the two products that are being developed. Drivers may find parking easily and safely with the use of the parking discovery and navigation software system known as streetsmart.

Echo Ridge

Grant in 2013
Echo Ridge, founded in 2006 in Sterling, Virginia, specializes in developing and selling systems for resilient Positioning/Navigation/Timing (PNT) and Electronic Warfare (EW), alongside high-fidelity laboratory modeling, simulation, and testing of complex radio frequency (RF) devices and systems. The company offers a range of services tailored for various sectors, including aviation, biosurveillance, cyber intelligence, disaster management, and federal infrastructure. With a focus on both commercial and government markets, Echo Ridge provides comprehensive research, product development, and intellectual property development services, utilizing advanced signal processing algorithms, software design, and hardware production. This enables customers to implement effective wireless applications across multiple domains, including communications systems and sophisticated modeling and simulation environments.

Numerica Corporation

Grant in 2013
Numerica Corporation specializes in tracking and data fusion services within the space, air, and missile defense sectors. The company focuses on distributed tracking and multi-sensor fusion technologies to address various threats and sensor modalities associated with moving platforms. Additionally, Numerica is involved in Space Domain Awareness, which includes the detection, tracking, identification, and characterization of elements in the space domain that could influence space operations and impact national and allied security, safety, economy, or environment. Through its innovative solutions, Numerica aims to enhance situational awareness and operational effectiveness for its clients.

Love Park Robotics

Grant in 2013
Love Park Robotics is a Philadelphia-based start-up that specializes in developing advanced technologies for intelligent products and services. The company's flagship platform, CoPilot, offers sliding-scale autonomous navigation for service vehicles in both indoor and dynamic outdoor environments. Love Park Robotics focuses on creating 3D perception software and advanced driver assistance systems that facilitate autonomous navigation, particularly addressing challenges such as automotive access for wheelchair users. By providing flexible licensing options and customizable solutions, the company collaborates with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate its innovative technology into cutting-edge products and services, enabling industries to develop robots that can intelligently interact with their surroundings.

TRX Systems

Grant in 2012
TRX Systems is a developer of indoor location solutions that provide precise, infrastructure‑free tracking in environments where GPS is unavailable. Its flagship NEON platform includes a wearable sensor unit, software for real‑time mapping, and APIs that fuse data from Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and time‑of‑flight ranging to deliver accurate positioning for personnel and assets. The NEON Personnel Tracker is used by industrial, security, public‑safety, and defense customers, while the NEON Signal Mapper offers 3‑D location for indoor test and measurement. Sensors are embedded in mobile phones, radios, and industrial devices, enabling seamless integration across commercial and mission‑critical applications. Founded in 2001, the company is headquartered in Greenbelt, Maryland, and sells its products through online channels.
Spot something off? Help us improve by flagging any incorrect or outdated information. Just email us at support@teaserclub.com. Your feedback is most welcome.