Locus Lock
Locus Lock is a software-defined GNSS receiver company serving U.S. defense and commercial mobility customers with anti-jamming, anti-spoofing positioning technology for UAVs, ground vehicles, maritime platforms, and attritable defense systems, spun out of UT Austin's Radionavigation Lab in 2023.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBoulder, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Locus Lock does
Locus Lock is a private, venture-backed software-defined GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver company headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, with engineering operations in Boulder. The company was spun out of the University of Texas at Austin Radionavigation Lab in May 2023, commercializing more than a decade of research into positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) technology. Locus Lock targets both U.S. defense and commercial mobility customers with applications in unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles (defense and commercial), maritime platforms, and attritable defense systems.
The company's core product is the LEO100 GNSS SDR, a production-ready software-defined GNSS receiver that performs all signal processing downstream of sampling and quantization on a general-purpose processor rather than on an ASIC or FPGA. The LEO100 supports multi-frequency, multi-constellation operation across L1, L2, and L5 bands and delivers centimeter-scale positioning accuracy via carrier-phase techniques with an optional RTK software engine. Differentiated capabilities include real-time jammer recognition and characterization, carrier-phase and IMU-based spoofing detection for ground vehicles, SWaP-optimized hardware for edge deployment on drones, and over-the-air software upgrades. Locus Lock also offers a software-only GNSS solution that runs on customer hardware, expanding the addressable footprint beyond its own receiver. The technology is NDAA-compliant and was added to the Defense Innovation Unit's Blue UAS Framework Cleared List in December 2024.
Locus Lock operates an enterprise sales motion combining direct sales, evaluation kit programs, and government procurement pathways, with strategic distribution through General Dynamics Mission Systems into U.S. Army programs and CRADA-based research with DEVCOM Armaments Center. Revenue streams include hardware sales, software licensing, and R&D contracts, with named end-customers including U.S. Special Operations Forces, DoD engineering teams, a defense technology CTO in maritime autonomy, and the U.S. Army. The company is woman-owned and led by CEO Hailey Nichols, has 1–10 employees, and has raised approximately $1.87M across a Techstars accelerator round, a Colorado OEDIT Advanced Industries grant, and a December 2024 oversubscribed funding round led by AIN Ventures.
Locus Lock firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Locus Lock
- Legal name
- Locus Lock Incorporated
- Website
- https://locuslock.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Locus Lock is a software-defined GNSS receiver company serving U.S. defense and commercial mobility customers with anti-jamming, anti-spoofing positioning technology for UAVs, ground vehicles, maritime platforms, and attritable defense systems, spun out of UT Austin's Radionavigation Lab in 2023.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Locus Lock industry classification
Industry- Product category
- GNSS Receivers and Precision Positioning Systems
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)
- akta.pro primary industry
- GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems (IMABAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH)
Keywords
Where Locus Lock is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boulder
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Locus Lock business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- GNSS Hardware and Software Sales: The company generates revenue by selling software-defined GNSS receivers and software solutions. The LEO100 GNSS SDR is a production-ready turnkey product, and the company also offers software-only solutions for integration with existing hardware. Revenue is generated through direct sales, pilot programs, and government contracts.
- R&D Contracts: The company has secured R&D contracts with the Department of Defense, including CRADA agreements and partnerships with defense contractors like General Dynamics Mission Systems.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Locus Lock product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Locus Lock designs and sells software-defined GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers and associated software that deliver precise positioning, navigation, and timing in contested RF environments. The flagship turnkey product is the LEO100 GNSS SDR, a multi-frequency (L1, L2, L5) receiver with carrier-phase positioning, optional RTK engine, integrated anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, and over-the-air field upgradeability. The company also offers software-only GNSS solutions for integration on customer hardware, targeting defense, UAV, ground vehicle, maritime, and commercial mobility applications.
Product overview
Locus Lock offers a unified product portfolio centered on software-defined GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers. The core offering is the LEO100 GNSS SDR, a turnkey hardware-and-software receiver engineered for precision positioning in challenging environments. Complementing this is the Software-Only Solutions module, which delivers the same GNSS capabilities as pure software for customers deploying on their existing hardware. Both offerings leverage the company's software-defined architecture to provide high-precision carrier-phase positioning, multi-frequency GNSS support (L1, L2, L5), real-time and offline processing, and integrated anti-jamming and anti-spoofing capabilities for assured PNT in contested environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LEO100 GNSS SDR Production-ready software-defined GNSS receiver engineered for precision navigation in challenging environments. Provides multi-frequency (L1, L2, L5) GNSS support, high-precision carrier-phase positioning with optional RTK engine, real-time and offline processing, SWaP-optimized design for edge deployment on UAVs and other platforms, over-the-air field-upgradeable software architecture, and integrated anti-jamming and anti-spoofing for assured PNT in contested environments. Sold to defense, commercial UAV, ground vehicle, maritime, and aerospace customers.
- Software-Only GNSS Solutions Software-defined GNSS capabilities delivered entirely in software for deployment on customer-owned hardware stacks. Provides advanced GNSS functionality including multi-frequency support, carrier-phase positioning, and anti-jamming/anti-spoofing for customers integrating Locus Lock's software into their own hardware infrastructure.
Quantifiable outcome
- Centimeter-level positioning accuracy with RTK software engine option
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Locus Lock
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Locus Lock technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature7 records
Locus Lock partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- DEVCOM Armaments CentercoreLocus Lock executed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with DEVCOM Armaments Center. The joint research focuses on performance assessment in contested environments, resilience across operational scenarios, integration with existing Army systems, and validation of PNT capabilities for high-priority missions.
- General Dynamics Mission SystemscoreLocus Lock teamed up with General Dynamics Mission Systems to deliver software-defined precise PNT (Positioning, Navigation, and Timing) capabilities for the U.S. Army. General Dynamics brings extensive experience as a provider of mission-critical solutions to defense, intelligence, and cyber-security customers across all domains.
- Xona Space SystemscoreLocus Lock partnered with Xona Space Systems to develop a software-defined GNSS receiver that utilizes Xona's multi-frequency PULSAR service delivered via low-Earth orbit satellites. The collaboration aims to provide enhanced signal power, improved multipath mitigation, higher accuracy, and increased protection against interference and spoofing for various applications including urban navigation, agriculture, UAVs, high-speed aircraft, and defense.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Locus Lock competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Swift Navigation: Swift Navigation provides software-defined GNSS positioning solutions (Skylark corrections, Piksi/Starling receivers) targeting autonomous vehicles, drones, and defense — directly comparable to Locus Lock in product category, target customers, and software-defined architecture.
- Septentrio (a Hexagon company): Septentrio manufactures high-precision GNSS receivers with advanced anti-jamming/anti-spoofing (AIM+) used across UAVs, ground vehicles, and defense — a direct competitor in software-defined, resilient, centimeter-accurate GNSS for defense and commercial platforms.
- u-blox: u-blox supplies GNSS chips, modules, and receivers used in drones, automotive, and industrial applications globally; comparable in target use cases (UAV, automotive, asset tracking) and in offering high-precision positioning products.
Broad incumbents
- Trimble: Trimble is an established provider of high-precision GNSS positioning hardware and software across construction, agriculture, geospatial, and defense — broader portfolio and global reach than Locus Lock, but overlapping product technology and end-markets.
- Hexagon (NovAtel): Hexagon's NovAtel division supplies high-precision GNSS receivers and inertial navigation for autonomous vehicles, aerospace, and defense — overlaps with Locus Lock in positioning technology, carrier-phase/RTK accuracy, and anti-jamming/anti-spoofing features.
- BAE Systems (Electronic Systems): BAE Systems produces assured PNT solutions and defense electronics for DoD — competes with Locus Lock in the resilient PNT defense market with a much larger installed base and program-of-record footprint.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a major defense prime with assured PNT and resilient GPS products serving DoD — overlaps with Locus Lock in defense-grade GNSS/PNT electronics for contested environments.
- Safran (Orolia / Geonyx): Safran's Orolia/Geonyx lines provide resilient PNT and anti-spoofing GNSS solutions for defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure — a broad incumbent in the same assured PNT category Locus Lock targets.
Emerging players
- Xona Space Systems: Xona Space Systems is building a commercial LEO PNT constellation (PULSAR); it is both a technology partner and an adjacent competitor because Locus Lock integrates PULSAR signals into its receiver while Xona could also enable PNT use cases that compete with terrestrial GNSS in some segments.
Others
- Tallysman Wireless: Tallysman manufactures high-accuracy GNSS antennas and RF components used by integrators building positioning systems for drones, defense, and industrial IoT — adjacent/ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but its antennas typically pair with receivers like Locus Lock's LEO100.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Locus Lock social profiles
Digital presenceLocus Lock compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Locus Lock financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Locus Lock leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Locus Lock funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors13 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Locus Lock M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Locus Lock
What does Locus Lock do?
Locus Lock designs and sells software-defined GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers and associated software that deliver precise positioning, navigation, and timing in contested RF environments. The flagship turnkey product is the LEO100 GNSS SDR, a multi-frequency (L1, L2, L5) receiver with carrier-phase positioning, optional RTK engine, integrated anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, and over-the-air field upgradeability. The company also offers software-only GNSS solutions for integration on customer hardware, targeting defense, UAV, ground vehicle, maritime, and commercial mobility applications.
Is Locus Lock a public or private company?
Locus Lock is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Locus Lock founded?
Locus Lock was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Locus Lock based?
Locus Lock is headquartered in Boulder, United States, in the North America region.
How does Locus Lock make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. GNSS Hardware and Software Sales are the primary driver. The others are R&D Contracts.
Who are Locus Lock's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Swift Navigation, Septentrio (a Hexagon company) and u-blox. Broad incumbents are Trimble, Hexagon (NovAtel), BAE Systems (Electronic Systems), L3Harris Technologies and Safran (Orolia / Geonyx). Xona Space Systems is listed as an emerging player. Tallysman Wireless is listed as an others.
Does Locus Lock have an API?
No public API is recorded for Locus Lock.
What industry is Locus Lock in?
Locus Lock's product category is GNSS Receivers and Precision Positioning Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAC, GNSS/GPS Navigation & Augmentation Systems, with a secondary code of IMABAGAH, Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons. Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 3760.