Perseus Defense was founded in 2025 by Penn State graduates Jason Cornelius and a co-founder named Steve. The company builds a portable counter-UAS platform composed of self-guided micro-rockets that detect, identify and defeat drone threats across multiple domains. Individual rockets cost under $10,000, which the company says is roughly 100 times cheaper than leading kinetic alternatives. Perseus' engineering team conducted over 100 interviews with DoD and DHS end users, completed four main rocket design iterations in eight-week cycles, and performed more than 30 live launches with warheads. The startup has demonstrated its system to the 1st Cavalry Division, briefed the Pentagon and Congress, and signed joint research agreements with several Army DEVCOM organizations. In September 2025 Perseus completed a $500,000 Pre-Seed raise amid broader federal initiatives to accelerate U.S. drone capabilities.

Total raised

$1M

Funding rounds

1

Latest round

Seed

Latest activity

Jul 2026