Indian deep-tech company Zuppa has raised US$1.5 million in a bridge funding round led by Rahul Dewan, founder of Sangam Talks.

Ajay Gupta, founder of Capital Foods, and The Mangwani Family Office also participated in the round.

Zuppa will use the funds to expand its defense drone tech, which operates without GPS or high-bandwidth internet.

Founded over 10 years ago, Zuppa develops indigenous drone systems focused on flight control, vision guidance, and AI targeting.

The funding round includes support from investors experienced in developing impactful businesses.

Zuppa is working with academic and government programs to create policies and standards for India’s expanding drone industry.

🔗 Source: Zuppa

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ India’s strategic push for indigenous drone technology represents a major market shift

Zuppa’s funding reflects a broader national transformation from foreign dependence to domestic capability in critical drone technologies.

India has historically relied heavily on imported military drones, particularly from Israel, since first deploying UAVs during the 1999 Kargil War when the limitations of manned reconnaissance became apparent in mountainous terrain1.

The government’s “Make in India” initiative has accelerated this transition, with significant investments in domestic drone development to reduce foreign dependence, a strategy that has attracted over 220 drone startups by 20212.

This shift addresses a critical vulnerability, as the Indian military has faced operational challenges with imported systems that weren’t optimized for local conditions and requirements.

Zuppa’s emphasis on “aatmanirbhar” (self-reliant) technology directly aligns with national security priorities, particularly developing systems that can operate without GPS or high-bandwidth internet, capabilities essential for military operations in contested environments.

2️⃣ Defense applications remain the primary driver of advanced drone innovation in India

While commercial applications are growing, military requirements continue to shape the development of India’s most sophisticated drone technologies.