Chennai-based deep-tech startup Zuppa, known for its autonomous drone systems, has raised $1.5 million in a bridge funding round led by serial entrepreneur Rahul Dewan, founder of Srijan Technologies. The round also saw participation from Ajay Gupta of Capital Foods and the Mangwani Family Office, formerly associated with Aquapharm Chemicals.
This strategic funding round brings not only capital but also seasoned entrepreneurial support to Zuppa, reinforcing its ambitions in the defence and dual-use drone technology sector.
Strengthening R&D and Deepening Defence Focus
Zuppa plans to deploy the fresh capital to accelerate R&D, expand its intellectual property portfolio, and deepen engagement with India’s defence ecosystem. The startup is positioning itself as a leader in developing advanced, indigenous drone technologies that are capable of operating in GPS-denied and low-bandwidth environments—a critical capability for both military and remote industrial applications.
Building India-Centric Drone Intelligence Platforms
Founded by a team of aerospace engineers, Zuppa specializes in building fully indigenous drone intelligence systems, including:
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AI-enabled flight control platforms
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Vision-guidance systems
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Secure cyber-physical infrastructure
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Targeting and navigation tools independent of GPS
Zuppa’s autonomous stack has been designed for real-time deployment in complex terrains and challenging scenarios where traditional drones struggle, including in post-disaster zones and tactical defence operations.
Strategic Impact and National Relevance
The company is reportedly involved in post-Operation Sindoor deployments, stepping in to fill critical gaps where existing drone solutions underperformed. Backed by patent-protected technology and a strong product development roadmap, Zuppa has begun collaborating with academic institutions and government bodies to shape national drone policy and compliance standards.
Market Position and Competitive Edge
By focusing on high-barrier, dual-use applications and emphasizing indigenous development, Zuppa is creating a strategic moat in India’s evolving drone landscape. Its systems are uniquely built to reduce dependence on foreign tech stacks while enhancing operational autonomy across surveillance, tactical targeting, and terrain-mapping use cases.