Chennai-based drone start-up Zuppa has raised Rs 5 crores from Sangam Talks founder Rahul Devan. The investment aims to support the company’s expansion plans and accelerate the deployment of its indigenous Ajeet Series defense technologies.
Zuppa’s Ajeet Mini drones offer a decisive solution. This drone system has been 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 or micro-armed drone platform.
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.
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 technology powers the company’s flagship Ajeet Series drone platforms, which offer India a secure and scalable alternative to foreign-origin drones.
“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 May 31 that shall be utilised to expand its channel partner network and enhance the availability of its DJI equivalent Ajeet Series of Drones," said Zuppa's founder & technical director Venkatesh Sai.
“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,” he added.
The company’s list of validations, including military, commercial, and investor-backed—solidifies its unique position in India’s drone and defense tech landscape.
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 the Punjab Police, pose a growing national security threat.
