Zuppa, a Chennai-based deep-tech startup specialising in autonomous drone systems, has raised $1.5 million in a bridge funding round led by Rahul Dewan, founder of Srijan Technologies. The round also saw participation from Ajay Gupta of Capital Foods and the Mangwani Family Office, formerly associated with Aquapharm Chemicals.
This infusion of capital brings both financial support and strategic entrepreneurial backing as Zuppa gears up for its next phase of growth.
The company plans to utilise the funds to enhance its research and development efforts and expand its footprint in defence and dual-use drone technologies—a sector of growing national interest.
Founded by a team of aerospace engineers, Zuppa has built a proprietary stack of fully indigenous drone intelligence platforms, which include flight control systems, vision-based navigation, secure cyber-physical infrastructure, and AI-driven targeting systems. Notably, these platforms are engineered to function without reliance on GPS or high-bandwidth internet, enabling drone operations in challenging, remote, and denied environments.
Zuppa claims to have secured a high-barrier strategic position in India’s defence drone segment, citing involvement in post-Operation Sindoor deployments, where shortcomings in foreign drone technology highlighted the need for robust indigenous alternatives.
In addition to operational deployments, the company holds a patent-backed IP stack and is actively collaborating with academic institutions and government bodies to help shape India’s drone policy and technological standards.
This round positions Zuppa at a critical inflection point as the firm aims to play a leading role in bolstering India’s autonomous aerial capabilities for both defence and civilian use.
