OSCP raises Series A to scale ITAR-free photonic navigation sensors
What's the deal? One Silicon Chip Photonics (OSCP)Dealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → has closed a Series A financing led by New Science VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, with participation from Emerging VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and 2050 CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. Somu Subramaniam, founder and managing partner of New Science Ventures, has joined OSCP's board of directors.
What does OSCP do? Founded in 2015 and based in Montréal, the company designs and manufactures photonic gyroscopes and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Its sensors are built for platforms that must keep navigating when GNSS signals are jammed, spoofed, or unavailable.
Why now? GNSS disruption has spread beyond conflict zones. "Losing the satellite signal used to be a battlefield problem. Now it shows up over airports and shipping lanes," said Kazem Zandi, founder and chief executive of OSCP.
What's the endgame? OSCP will use the funding to scale production in Montréal, grow its engineering and sales teams, and bring its next generation of photonic inertial sensors to market. The company says its products deliver tactical-grade accuracy at the size, weight, power, and cost of MEMS — and are made in Canada and ITAR-free.
Since the round closed, OSCP has introduced NavigationGate, an inertial navigation system for platforms that lose satellite signal, added ArduPilot support and an open-source ROS 2 driver for its MK2 IMU family, and qualified as a supplier on Canada's Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace.
Its customers span space, defence, marine and subsea, rail, robotics, and ground autonomy. New Science Ventures, founded in 2004 with offices in Greenwich, Connecticut, and London, manages more than US$1 billion in assets based on original committed capital.
The signal: As GNSS jamming moves into civilian airspace and shipping lanes, demand is rising for navigation that works without satellites. OSCP's bet is that ITAR-free hardware made in Canada can win customers wary of US export controls across defence and transportation.
Read more: prnewswire.com
Image credit: One Silicon Chip Photonics
