Green Aero, a deep‑tech startup spun out of IIT Delhi on Wednesday announced the close of a $1.6 million seed round led by pi Ventures with participation from Antler.
The fresh capital will underwrite the start-up’s ambitious plan to accelerate development of its next‑generation aero engines for defence and civilian use, establish a cutting‑edge testing facility, and grow its engineering and operations teams.
Founded in late 2023 by Dr. Prithwish Kundu, a former research scientist at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, and a cadre of aerospace experts, Green Aero has already marked a national milestone by testing‑firing India’s first hydrogen‑powered aero engine core, dubbed “The Blue Dragon.”
Leveraging proprietary turbine technology, swirl‑stabilized injectors and precision‑manufactured superalloy components, the startup aims to deliver propulsion systems that double the efficiency of today’s state‑of‑the‑art engines while supporting multiple fuels, including green hydrogen.
Dr. Kundu said the funding will enable Green Aero to move from lab‑scale prototypes to full engine assemblies within the next year. “We are combining deep‑tech expertise and a commitment to sustainability to build efficient, cost‑effective and environmentally responsible propulsion solutions,” he explained.
“This investment advances our long‑term vision to shape a more sustainable future for the transportation industry and create a cleaner world for generations to come.”
pi Ventures Managing Director Shubham Sandeep praised Green Aero’s rapid progress and strategic importance.
“India has historically lagged in aerospace innovation, but Green Aero is reversing that trend by building world‑class engines from the ground up,” he said. “Their focus on high efficiency, performance and clean propulsion aligns perfectly with our mission to back category‑defining technologies.”
With global aviation under pressure to decarbonize and achieve self‑reliance in critical defence systems, Green Aero’s approach addresses both imperatives. The company plans to commercialize its first small‑category engine within the next twelve months, while laying the groundwork for larger‑scale platforms and exploring supersonic applications.
By developing core propulsion technologies entirely in India, Green Aero seeks to reduce dependence on imported turbine engines and position the nation at the forefront of the clean‑aviation revolution.
