Top 10 Drone Startups in India
Top 10 Drone Startups in India Dive into the cutting-edge world of India’s most trailblazing drone startups, featuring industry leaders like ideaForge, Newspace Research and Technologies, Garuda Aerospace, Marut Drones, General Aeronautics, DroneAcharya, Skylark Drones, Tata Advanced Systems, Drona Aviation, and Indrones. These visionary companies are at the forefront of innovation, delivering state-of-the-art drone solutions for aerial mapping, security, surveillance, precision agriculture, industrial inspections, and beyond. Discover their groundbreaking technologies, influential founders, impressive funding achievements, and the transformative impact they are making across diverse sectors. Whether you’re seeking the latest drone technologies, lucrative investment opportunities, or insights into how drones are revolutionizing industries in India, this detailed guide offers invaluable information and perspectives. Stay informed about the key players propelling the drone revolution in India and witness the future of technology unfold.
Top 10 Drone Startups in India
1. ideaForge
Overview: Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Mumbai, ideaForge is a leading manufacturer of multi-utility drones known for their durability and versatility in various weather conditions.
Innovation: The company focuses on aerial mapping, security, and surveillance solutions, offering drones that can withstand harsh environments and perform precise operations.
Impact: ideaForge has significantly contributed to enhancing surveillance and mapping capabilities in India, supporting both civilian and defense sectors with advanced drone technology.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Mumbai, India |
| Founder | Ankit Mehta, Rahul Singh, Ashish Bhat |
| Website | ideaForge |
| Founded Year | 2007 |
| Funding | $53.8M |
Also Read: Top 10 FashionTech Startups in India
2. Newspace Research and Technologies
Overview: Established in 2017 and based in Bengaluru, Newspace Research and Technologies specializes in aerospace services, particularly in industrial UAVs and collective robotics.
Innovation: The company integrates AI modules, GPS-denied navigation, and AR/VR simulations to offer cutting-edge drone technology.
Impact: By advancing drone capabilities and integrating innovative technologies, Newspace Research and Technologies is helping various industries enhance operational efficiency and safety.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Bengaluru, India |
| Founder | Sameer Joshi |
| Website | Newspace Research |
| Founded Year | 2017 |
| Funding | $69.2M |
Also Read: Top 10 TravelTech Startups in India
3. Garuda Aerospace
Overview: Founded in 2015 in Chennai, Garuda Aerospace develops cloud-based multi-utility drones for a variety of industrial applications.
Innovation: The company’s drones are used for photography, agricultural surveys, surveillance, and more, offering specialized services in agriculture, defense, and wildlife monitoring.
Impact: Garuda Aerospace’s drones have transformed agricultural practices and surveillance operations, improving efficiency and productivity in these sectors.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Chennai, India |
| Founder | Agnishwar Jayaprakash |
| Website | Garuda Aerospace |
| Founded Year | 2015 |
| Funding | $28.3M |
Also Read: Top 10 Edutech Startups in India
4. Marut Drones
Overview: Established in 2019 in Hyderabad, Marut Drones provides drone-based precision agriculture services, offering both hexacopter and quadcopter drones.
Innovation: The company’s drones assist agriculturists by providing insights on soil health and nutrient levels, aiding in irrigation planning and pesticide spraying.
Impact: Marut Drones has made significant strides in agricultural technology, helping farmers optimize resource use and improve crop yields through advanced drone services.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Hyderabad, India |
| Founder | Prem Kumar Vislawath |
| Website | Marut Drones |
| Founded Year | 2019 |
| Funding | $100K |
Also Read: Top 10 FoodTech Startups in India
5. General Aeronautics
Overview: Founded in 2016 and located in Bengaluru, General Aeronautics offers unmanned and manned aircraft design, testing, and development services.
Innovation: Their GA-1 UAV features vertical take-off and landing capabilities and supports multiple payloads for surveillance and delivery purposes.
Impact: General Aeronautics’ innovations in UAV technology have enhanced surveillance and logistics capabilities, benefiting both commercial and defense sectors.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Bengaluru, India |
| Founder | Prof. K R Shashank, Dr. K. R. Srikanth |
| Website | General Aeronautics |
| Founded Year | 2016 |
| Funding | $3.84M |
Also Read: Top 10 PropTech Startups in India
6. DroneAcharya
Overview: Based in Pune and established in 2017, DroneAcharya specializes in drone-based inspection and training services.
Innovation: The company provides comprehensive drone surveying for mapping, 3D modeling, logistics, surveillance, and data processing.
Impact: DroneAcharya has played a crucial role in training professionals and offering advanced drone services, thereby fostering the growth of drone technology in India.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Pune, India |
| Founder | Prateek Srivastava |
| Website | DroneAcharya |
| Founded Year | 2017 |
| Funding | $4.76M |
Also Read: Top 10 RetailTech Startups in India
7. Skylark Drones
Overview: Skylark Drones, founded in 2014 in Bengaluru, operates a drone analytics platform catering to various industries like infrastructure, mining, and utilities.
Innovation: The platform provides worksite intelligence, drone operation management, and compliance solutions, leveraging drone data for business insights.
Impact: Skylark Drones’ analytics platform has improved operational efficiency and decision-making in multiple industries by providing critical data insights.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Bengaluru, India |
| Founder | Mughilan Thiru Ramasamy, Vaibhav Ghadiok |
| Website | Skylark Drones |
| Founded Year | 2014 |
| Funding | $4.13M |
Also Read: Top 10 GovTech Startups in India
8. Tata Advanced Systems
Overview: Founded in 2007 in Delhi, Tata Advanced Systems offers unmanned aerial security patrolling and reconnaissance solutions.
Innovation: The company provides a range of UAVs, missile systems, radars, night vision devices, and security advisory services.
Impact: Tata Advanced Systems has enhanced security and surveillance capabilities, particularly in homeland security, industrial protection, and border management.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Delhi, India |
| Founder | N. Chandrasekaran |
| Website | Tata Advanced Systems |
| Founded Year | 2007 |
| Funding | Unfunded |
Also Read: Top 10 LegalTech Startups in India
9. Drona Aviation
Overview: Established in 2014 in Mumbai, Drona Aviation designs and manufactures consumer nano drones with applications in flying, photography, and cinematography.
Innovation: The company is working on innovative projects like self-charging drones, advertising drones, and crowd-monitoring drones.
Impact: Drona Aviation has made drone technology more accessible to consumers and developers, fostering innovation and practical applications in everyday scenarios.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Mumbai, India |
| Founder | Prasad Manmode |
| Website | Drona Aviation |
| Founded Year | 2014 |
| Funding | $221K |
Also Read: Top 10 InsurTech Startups in India
10. Indrones
Overview: Founded in 2015 in Navi Mumbai, Indrones provides aerial mapping and surveying solutions tailored for the agriculture industry.
Innovation: The company’s drones offer services such as NDVI mapping, crop health assessments, and damage reports for insurance claims.
Impact: Indrones has improved agricultural practices by offering precise aerial data, helping farmers monitor crop health and optimize agricultural processes.
| Attribute | Detail |
| Location | Navi Mumbai, India |
| Founder | Smit Shah |
| Website | Indrones |
| Founded Year | 2015 |
| Funding | Seed |
Also Read: Top 10 CleanTech Startups in India
FAQ on Top 10 Drone Startups in India
Q1.What are the key products and services offered by ideaForge?
ideaForge offers multi-utility drones designed for aerial mapping, security, and surveillance, which are capable of operating in various weather conditions.
Q2.How does Newspace Research and Technologies stand out in the drone industry?
Newspace Research and Technologies integrates AI modules, GPS-denied navigation, and AR/VR simulations to provide advanced aerospace services and industrial UAV solutions.
Q3.What industries does Garuda Aerospace serve with its drones?
Garuda Aerospace serves industries such as agriculture, defense, crowd monitoring, mapping, and wildlife monitoring with its cloud-based multi-utility drones.
Q4.What are the unique features of Marut Drones’ agricultural drones?
Marut Drones offers hexacopter and quadcopter drones that provide insights on soil health, aid in irrigation planning, and facilitate pesticide spraying and mosquito eradication.
Q5.What capabilities does General Aeronautics’ GA-1 UAV possess?
General Aeronautics’ GA-1 UAV features vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities and can carry multiple payloads for surveillance and delivery purposes.
Q6.What services does DroneAcharya provide apart from drone-based inspections?
DroneAcharya offers drone surveying for mapping, 3D modeling, drone logistics, surveillance, and drone data processing, along with training services.
Q7.How does Skylark Drones help industries with its platform?
Skylark Drones provides worksite intelligence, drone operation management, and compliance solutions, enhancing efficiency and decision-making in industries like infrastructure, mining, and utilities.
Q8.What security solutions does Tata Advanced Systems offer?
Tata Advanced Systems provides unmanned aerial security patrolling and reconnaissance, along with UAVs, missile systems, radars, night vision devices, and security advisory services.
Q9.What types of drones does Drona Aviation specialize in?
Drona Aviation designs and manufactures consumer nano drones for flying, photography, and cinematography, and is developing projects like self-charging and crowd-monitoring drones.
Q10.What agricultural services are provided by Indrones?
Indrones offers aerial mapping and surveying solutions, including NDVI mapping, crop health assessments, and crop damage reports, aiding farmers in optimizing agricultural processes and making insurance claims.
About The Author
