Chennai-based drone startup Zuppa has raised ₹5 crore in funding from Four Pursuits Ventures, a business and financial investment company, to scale its indigenous Ajeet Mini drone platform. The investment aims to support the company’s expansion plans and accelerate the deployment of its Ajeet Series technologies.
This investment is part of a larger bridge round of ₹10 crore that Zuppa plans to close by May 31, 2025.
Following a podcast conversation between Rahul Dewan, founder of Four Pursuits and Zuppa’s founder and technical director, and Venkatesh Sai, during a Sangam Talks podcast (also founded by Dewan), the former invested in the company.
They explored the urgent need for secure Indigenous defence technologies. Sai Pattabiram, MD at Zuppa, told AIM that the Ajeet Mini is claimed to be India’s only Indigenous micro-armed drone validated by the Indian Army at high-altitude zones above 11,000 feet.
Powered by Zuppa’s proprietary NavGati autopilot system, the drone offers a secure and scalable alternative to foreign-origin drones. The funds will be used to expand its channel partner network and enhance the availability of its DJI (Chinese)-equivalent Ajeet Series of drones.
Dewan emphasised, “India must future-proof its defence capabilities through homegrown, cyber-resilient technologies. Zuppa’s Ajeet Mini and NavGati autopilot stack represent that future. I’m excited to support this mission.”
Zuppa claims to stand out globally as one of only seven companies from India, with proprietary autopilot systems based on its patented Disseminated Parallel Control Computing in Real Time (DPCC) architecture.
Sai stated, “While several investors have approached us following Operation Sindoor, we value the strategic fit with investors who truly understand the technology domain, especially defence drones, given their short application cycles.”
Zuppa’s Ajeet Mini drones have gained recognition for their performance and reliability, making them a significant player in India’s drone and defence tech landscape. With substantial funding, tested technology, and growing interest from defence stakeholders, Zuppa is well-positioned to be a key player in India’s drone ecosystem.
Previously, Zuppa also partnered with drone startup Garuda Aerospace to advance the development of secure drone technology and received investment from Garuda and Map My India. The company also supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by reducing dependence on foreign hardware and enhancing cybersecurity resilience.
