Chennai, India – May 19, 2025 — Zuppa, India’s only deep-tech drone company specializing in cyber-secure autonomous systems, has raised ₹5 Crores in strategic funding from Sangam Talks founder Rahul Devan. The investment follows a thought-provoking conversation between Rahul Devan and Zuppa’s Founder & Technical Director, Venkatesh Sai, during a Sangam Talks podcast, where the two explored the urgent need for secure indigenous defence technologies.
Zuppa is among only seven companies globally—and the sole Indian player—with proprietary autopilot systems built on its patented Disseminated Parallel Control Computing in Real Time (DPCC) architecture. This cutting-edge cyber-physical stack powers the company’s flagship Ajeet Series drone platforms, which offer India a secure and scalable alternative to foreign-origin drones.
India’s border security challenges continue to intensify, particularly along the western front. Despite a declared cessation of military operations between India and Pakistan on May 10, drone-led incursions persist. Pakistani operatives have repeatedly used Chinese-origin DJI drones to drop narcotics and arms into Indian territory. These intrusions, intercepted by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, pose a growing national security threat.
Zuppa’s Ajeet Mini drones offer a decisive solution. Recently validated by the Indian Army at multiple locations—including high-altitude zones above 11,000 feet—the Ajeet Mini is India’s first indigenous kamikaze/micro-armed drone platform. Designed as a direct replacement for DJI drones, it strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by reducing reliance on foreign hardware and minimizing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
“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,” said Rahul Devan, Founder of Sangam Talks.
Endorsements of ZUPPA’s home grown Deep-tech by a Tech entrepreneur backed fund Four Pursuits now coupled with the recent investment by a drone startup Garuda Aerospace and Map My India’s earlier on, in our growth are significant validations of its unique position in India’s booming Drone and Defence Tech Ecosystems.
“Four Pursuit’s investment is part of a larger bridge round of Rs 10 crores that ZUPPA is currently involved in that it plans to close on 31/5/25 that shall be utilised to expand its channel partner network and enhance the availability of its DJI equivalent Ajeet Series of Drones” said its Founder & Technical Director Venkatesh Sai, who further added that “While the company has been approached by several investors post the wide spread use of drones in “Operation Sindoor”, we believe that the investor’s understanding of technology is a crucial fit from ZUPPA’s perspective given that Drones is a contemporary technology domain especially in defence with short application cycles.”
Zuppa’s growing list of validations—military, commercial, and investor-backed—solidifies its unique position in India’s drone and defence tech landscape. As it scales up to meet urgent national security needs, Zuppa is redefining what it means to build in India, for India, and for the world.
