EndureAir Systems Pvt. Ltd., a Noida-based drone and aerial robotics company, has raised ₹25 crore ($3 million) in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, as India accelerates its efforts to strengthen domestic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities.
The round, which also saw participation from IAN Angel Fund, will be used to expand EndureAir’s presence in the defense and enterprise markets, while advancing next-generation platforms for high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics, the company said Tuesday.
Founded in 2018 by IIT Kanpur aerospace engineering professor Abhishek along with former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir develops both the hardware and software for its UAVs entirely in-house. The company has built its portfolio on more than 15 years of rotorcraft research, secured eight patents, and focuses on rugged, mission-ready UAVs designed for India’s varied terrain.
Its drones are already in service. Sabal, a heavy-lift logistics UAV capable of carrying 10 to 70 kilograms, has been inducted by the Indian Army’s Eastern Command for operations in high-altitude regions. Vibhram, its long-endurance UAV, played a role in Telangana’s “Medicine from the Sky” project, transporting vaccines to remote communities. Alakh, a nano-drone series, has been deployed in rescue operations, including the Chamoli cloudburst in Uttarakhand, the Silkyara tunnel collapse in 2023, and earthquake relief missions in Turkey.
EndureAir is also working with state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd. to co-develop high-altitude logistics UAVs, and with Bhutan’s Druk Holding & Investments to pilot drone-based supply chains serving remote monasteries in mountainous terrain.
“As we continue to develop the next generation of aerial robotics for defense, we are equally committed to enterprise adoption of UAVs,” said Rama Krishna, co-founder and chief executive officer. “This fundraise led by IAN Alpha will accelerate development of domestic systems that can operate reliably in the most challenging environments.”
The investment underscores growing investor interest in India’s deep-tech sector, particularly defense technologies. With geopolitical tensions, border security priorities, and supply-chain vulnerabilities highlighting the need for indigenous solutions, the Indian government has been pushing policies to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. In 2022, New Delhi banned the import of drones to encourage local manufacturing and has since announced incentives to promote domestic research, testing, and production.
India’s drone industry is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 18% over the next five years, according to government estimates, driven by adoption in defense, logistics, agriculture, and disaster management. Startups like EndureAir are competing with established defense contractors and new entrants to capture opportunities in this expanding market.
Sarika Saxena, managing partner at IAN Alpha Fund, said the company “embodies the very best of India’s deep-tech potential.” She added that EndureAir’s ability to turn advanced research into indigenous UAV platforms positions it as a critical player in defense and enterprise mobility, sectors where demand for unmanned systems is rising globally.
IAN Alpha Fund, a ₹1,000 crore ($125 million) SEBI-registered Category II venture capital fund, is part of the IAN Group, which has backed more than 200 startups across sectors including healthtech, cleantech, agritech, and hardware. The group has been expanding its focus toward companies leveraging deep technology to address large-scale challenges in India and abroad.
For EndureAir, the latest capital infusion builds on its existing partnerships and deployments, helping the startup push forward in what it sees as dual-use innovation—technology with applications across defense, humanitarian aid, and enterprise logistics.
Headquartered in Noida, EndureAir has grown from an IIT Kanpur research initiative into a mission-driven enterprise. Its UAVs are now used not only by the Indian Army and government agencies but also in international humanitarian missions. The company said the new funding will help consolidate its position in high-altitude UAV logistics, broaden commercial use cases, and continue developing platforms designed to put India on the global map for drone innovation.
