Trailblazers
Trailblazers
Trailblazers
Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX), launched by Department of Defence Production in the
Ministry of Defence in April 2018, has created huge interest in startup community to work in this
reclusive sector. The Defence India Startup Challenges have brought over 500 startups which are
today active in this space. The iDEX Partner Incubators have enabled Department of Defence
Production to reach out to startups in all nooks and corners of the country. The progress has been
extremely heartening and encouraging. I foresee Indian startups marching strongly to occupy a place
of pride in the innovation advancement in the global defence and aerospace sector.
On the occasion of Aero India 2019, this Coffee Table Book celebrates the promise of startups
dedicated to the Aerospace sector in India.
Technologies
manufacturing, systems integration and offset products covering Opto-Electronics (Laser
management companies in India, ALPHA is a fast enabled Target Acquisition Systems, Night
growing defence electronics & avionics Vision (II & Thermal) Imaging Systems)
Provider
organisation for design and manufacturing, Electronics Warfare Systems (Missile Launch
founded with the vision to support the Make In Detection Systems & Missile Approach
India initiative. Warning System), Aerospace Assembly (Radar,
Fuselage, Antenna systems & Pilon), Software
Leadership and management donned by armed Defined Radios, Satellite communications, and
forces veterans with rich expertise in the design, RF/Microwave systems.
manufacturing, and on-field commissioning and
maintenance of RADAR, satellite communication, Thermal Imaging Fire Control
electro optics, software defined radios, guided
missiles systems. Their broad portfolio of core Systems (TIFCS)
technologies and systems have achieved broad A long range system designed for high
adoption in the Indian defence platforms such as accuracy & rapid target engagement in all
Battle Tanks, Ships, Fighter aircraft, Helicopters, combat scenarios. It is optimal for both day &
with fully integrated R&D, UAVs, Simulators, Avionics equipment, Tactical night; stationary and on-the-move operations.
It is a compact, robust, modular, user friendly
Communication Eqpt and Satellite Communication.
design, development, Gunner sight of a tank.
08
www.dynamatics.com
in 6 continents
Europe and India, the company is able to deliver › The ailerons and wing flaps for the intermedi-
products and manufacturing solutions to ate jet trainer HJT-36.
customers in 6 continents. › Major airframe structures for the Sukhoi 30
Management
Udayant (Toby) Malhoutra
CEO & Managing Director
09
www.qmaxtest.com
Semicon
diagnostic equipment for electronic & semicon covers a wide range of options including
systems, with the widest portfolio of solutions and industrial systems for electronics and semicon
services. It offers integrated Test Automation manufacturing lines, desktop wire harness
Automated
solutions, catering to the needs of global OEs and analysers, handheld devices, testing
top-tier suppliers in defense, aerospace, power equipment and tester devices. In addition the
generation & distribution, transportation, company offers a suite of software solutions
Test
bio-medical and manufacturing sectors. and professional services in electronic &
semicon test automation.
Equipment &
The company’s manufacturing facility is equipped
with world class BGA\SMD rework systems, Automated Test Equipment (ATE)
automatic optical inspection system, wave ATE QT2256-640 PXI system is designed as a
Solutions
soldering, SMD reflow and fully automatic SMD pick combination board tester capable of testing
and place machines. The facility employees 100+ highly complex and PCBs employing various
highly qualified and talented pool of human techniques on a single platform.
resources.
Pro-Rack is a cost effective ATE System, which
comes with Modular Structure provision
option to improvise and enhance much
with proven track-record as instrumentation based on the user’s
top-tier supplier to global requirements.
Management
Varun Sabapathi Robert Kennedy Manoharan Vaidyanathan Vijayakumar
Managing Director Vice-President GM, Sales & Marketing
10
www.asteria.co.in
enterprise in
aerial data, with a strong track-record and for command and control
integrated drone technology stack of hardware, › Encrypted digital data link for secure
software, and analytics.
India
transmission of data and video
› Network enabled ground system architecture
Their aerial drone/UAV solutions are enhanced › Failsafe modes for loss of communication
with deeply customized aerial remote sensing tools signal, GPS signal and low battery
suited for aerial surveillance and border › Made in India – Designed, Developed and
security/control applications for military, Made in India
paramilitary, and police forces. Their strength is
further extended with end-to-end solutions
provided for autonomous survey, inspection and Cygnus
monitoring of assets in highly complex A mini UAS designed from the ground up for
environments in oil and gas, mining, construction surveillance and security operations with best
in class endurance, range and payload
and agriculture sectors.
capabilities, is ideal for military surveillance, with deep expertise in
industrial security, and powerline/pipeline
Achievements monitoring applications. production of unmanned aerial
Genesis
vehicles systems, autonomous
Recognized by the Silicon India’s StartupCity
magazine as ‘one of the 10 best startups’ providing A network platform for drone based flight/mission control systems,
surveillance & security operations, designed to
drone solutions in India in 2017.
be hosted on cloud/on-premise for maximum compact/rugged
flexibility, and is future ready for integration
into sophisticated security solutions.
aerostructures, miniaturized
avionics, and surveillance
software engineering
Management
Nihar Vartak Neel Mehta
Founder & Director Co-Founder & Director
11
www.ideaforge.co.in
Market Leaders
their portfolio of products ranging from Smallest short range VTOL quadcopter, is the
Quadcopters, Fixed Wing UAVs and Drones custom most efficient drone and very economical,
designed for aerial operations in defence, built with tried and tested military design
in compact
commercial and government sector in India, principles. The product has gained rapid
meeting global aerospace and defence certification adoption in defence, industrial, and
standards.
UAV products
commercial aerospace sector catering to high
performance needs in security & surveillance,
This leading vertically integrated (R&D, design & aerial inspection, photogrammetry, traffic
manufacturing, software, services and training) management, crowd management & disaster
aerial robotics company-built on a strong relief applications.
foundation of interdisciplinary engineering delivers
high-performance, safe, and autonomous
unmanned systems for enhancing productivity and NETRA V
security. NETRA V Series is a fully autonomous,
man-portable small UAV. The UAV is equipped
The organization was founded in 2007 by a team of with fail-safe modes. Salient features of the
enterprising IIT Bombay graduates and has been at UAV include image stabilization, autonomous
the forefront of developing globally unmatched target tracking and day-night cameras which
a vertically integrated aerial and indigenous technology for drones. are programmed to provide real-time footage
in the daytime as well as pitch dark conditions.
robotics company having
emerged a winner in both Achievements Switch Hybrid
Switch Hybrid is a first-of-its-kind VTOL and
defence and commercial Recognised as R&D partner with Defence Research fixed wing UAV. It is used for long range, long
endurance security and GIS applications.It is
and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of
aerospace sectors Defence, India, it has multiple IPs to its credit, also used for security & surveillance,
including one for World’s Smallest Autopilot. inspection photogrammetry.
Management
Ankit Mehta Rahul Singh Ashish Bhat Vipul Joshi
Co-Founder & CEO Co-Founder & CTO Co-Founder & CTO Chief Operating Officer
12
www.metallicbellows.org
for 4 decades
temperature. These are manufactured from
The strong focus in R&D backed by deep domain high temperature resistance alloy inconel 625 .
expertise in design and engineering, and These bellows will take movements in all 3
now
unparalleled reliability, have made this company axes.
the only indigenous supplier to ISRO (space) and
HAL (military and commercial aerospace), and a Hydroformed T-joint – For BrahMos
strong partner to the Indian defence services in Hydroforming is a metal fabricating and
realising their vision of indigenisation. forming process. This process is cost effective.
Specialized type of die moulding that utilizes
Achievements highly pressurized fluid to form metal. Here
the wall thinning is very minimal. Hydraulic
pressure of the order of 2500 to 4000 bar is
Metallic Bellows has contributed immensely to the applied to form these Joints. Received Award
indigenization drives of the Indian defence for Excellence from SIATI for Indigenization of
production through its design, development, T-Joint.
engineering and manufacturing services to HAL Design and Engineering
with the supply of Gimbal bellows of Dia 32, 50, 63
& Gimbal Venturi Assembly for the LCA products of
Relief Valve For Jaguar
Bellows used in pressure regulating valve
partner for ISRO and HAL, and
HAL. It has gained the rare reputation and status as
being the only Indian supplier of metallic bellows
which is a part of liquid oxygen system of Indigenisation partner for the
Jaguar aircraft.
and hoses for the PSLV and GSLV launch vehicles of Indian Defence Forces (Army,
ISRO, and recently completed the delivery of
components to LPSC, Trivandrum. Navy & Airforce)
Management
R. Gopalakrishnan G. Shankar Nishanth Ramesh
Founder Director Director
13
www.polyhose.com
Thermoplastic
development, manufacturing, and distribution of hoses, and hose assemblies for aerospace
fluid conveyance products like aero-grade systems
polymer/elastomer hoses and fluid connectors.
Hoses for
A fully indigenous supplier serving domestic and Fluid Conveyance System
export markets with modern state of art facilities Flexible composite Hoses and Hose
with highly trained and skilled expertise to deliver
Defence &
assemblies in widest variety of materials for
premium quality, reliable, and high performing PTFE, Thermoplastic, Hydraulic Rubber,
products. Industrial, Stainless steel material.
Founding Team
Shabbir Y J Ali Asger
Managing Director Director
14
www.jayasuriya.org
aerospace, and
private sector multinationals and public sector › Light Combat Aircraft (LCH)
majors. › Light Combat Helicopter(LCH)
› Light Utility Helicopter(LUH)
space sector
The company has indigenized over 15000 › Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH)
individual parts for the Indian Airforce and HAL, › Jaguar Aircraft
having achieved certification from CEMILAC (Center › BrahMos Missiles
for Military Airworthiness and Certification) for › Airborne Missiles developed by DRDL, RCI, &
aerospace, and acceptance from DRDO (Defence DRDO
Research and Development Organisation) for › Missiles and Munitions manufactured by BDL
space. › Launch vehicles and satellites of ISRO
› Utility Helicopters of Indian, Russian and
Western Cheetah
Achievements
Excellence Award in indigenisation of aerospace
fasteners & standard parts in the year 2016 by with Certification from
Padma Shri Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman
ISRO and Secretary Dept of Space. CEMILAC, DRDO, ISRO and
all DPSUs, covering missiles
systems, combat and utility
aircraft platforms, launch
vehicles and satellites
Founding Team
Kalaiarasu Subramaniyam Jayanthi Desappan
Director Director
15
www.thesalemaeropark.com
and non-metal
focused towards design and development of projects like Sukhoi-30, Shakthi, Artouste,
aerospace and defence grade oil pumps, gasket Garrett, Orpheus, Dart, Adour, PTAE through
and fasteners. As one of the leading organizations Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., Bangalore and
based
in indigenously design and manufacture both Sukhoi Engine Division, Koraput
metallic and non metallic precision aeronautical manufacturing,
components they are the tier-1 supplier for
component
aerospace OEMs. CEMILAC certified company › Lubricating Oil Pump for Main Gear Box for
supplies with manufacturing standards on-par with ALH & LUH
›
supplier
the global suppliers and also exports to global Dual Pumps
markets. › Metallic Braided Hose Assemblies
› Tail Cone Assembly
The company has indigenously developed about › Roller Lifter Assembly
15,000 parts that goes into helicopters, missiles, › Pilot Control Column & Throttle Handle
combat aircrafts and also for civilian aircrafts. › Canopy Inflatable Seal
› Tungsten & Graphite Machining
› Composite components
Achievements › Lock Nut & Washers
› Kover Material machining
developing components for › Awarded FIRST PRIZE in QUALITY PRODUCTS-2015 › Harness Clamps
› Metal Bonded
combat aircrafts and by Ministry of MSME in 2015;
› Recognised as the most Innovative MSME in the › Vibration Isolators
helicopter engines. country and awarded by Hon’ble Prime Minister of
India in 2014;
›
›
Sealing Rings
Conductive Bellows
› Received DRDO Excellence Award for Defence › Oxygen Mask Hose Assembly
Technology Absorption, awarded by the Hon’ble
Prime Minister of India in the presence of Defence
and Finance Minister;
Management
Sundaram Ramaswamy Ramachandran R Jawaharlal R K
Founder & Managing Director Executive Director General Manager
16
www.lmwatc.com
Solutions
diversified into CNC Machine Tools and Foundry domes on aircraft.
Equipment, making High Precision Castings and is
today a global supplier.
Partner for
Aero Engine Components
In 2010, LMW added to their formidable Casing, shaft, housing, nozzle guide vanes,
turbine discs, impellers, compressor discs
Global
engineering manufacturing portfolio, the LMW
Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) to produce includes assemblies and sub-assemblies.
components for the Aerospace OEMs mainly
Precision Machine Components
Aerospace
focused on engine, structural, sheet metal
components and subassemblies. The company has Actuator, landing gear components and gear
set up world class manufacturing unit with NADCAP box components.
OEMs
and AS9100D certified manufacturing process and
technicians, manufacturing metal and composite Sheet Metal Fabrication
aerospace structures. Aero engine & structural components, seal
segment, rings, heat shield, cover plate,
offering custom design,
Achievements including assemblies and subassemblies for
helicopters.
machining, and manufacturing
› Awarded by DRDO as the best Defence Technology
Absorption company in 2017;
Composite Structures and services for components,
› Received Best Performance Award for 2017 given Components systems and assemblies ranging
by HAL, Engine Division; Spacecrafts, Aircrafts and Helicopters.
› Recognised as the Best Sheet Metal Partner by HAL, from Aero engine parts, Aero
Engine Division in 2015;
structures & assemblies, and
Aero composites
Management
Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu Soundhar Rajhan K
Chairman & Managing Director Director – Operations
(LMW-MTD, Foundry & ATC)
17
www.melss.com
Electronics
products since 1982, with three major divisions Teradyne’s fully integrated functional test
focused on Strategic Electronics, Automation & systems verify and calibrate the most complex
Control, and Test & Measurement. The Strategic electronics in the defense and aerospace
supplier Serving
Electronics Division specialises in training and industry. Their systems are tough, and can
maintenance simulators, custom ATEs, data deliver high- performance digital, analog,
acquisition systems, MIL standard product design
Stations in India
standards and software development. and overhaul facilities.
Management
N Ramachandran T Srinivasan
Managing Director President
18
www.kovidndt.com
tive Testing
extended include licensing of the Kovid suite of digitizers, computed radiography (CR)
software platforms (like Kovid UT, Kovid RT, Kovid hardware and digital radiography (DR) Flat
CT and Kovid iMaV) and delivering custom software
Solutions
panels and LDAs. The software incorporates
development. over 100 filters which aid in analysis and
support the development of Assisted or
Provider
Their customer base covers leading OEMs and Automated Defect Recognition (ADR)
manufacturers in the aerospace, energy (thermal, algorithms.
nuclear and renewables), oil and gas sectors. The
company has built a network of strong global
partners with NDT Hardware suppliers and system Kovid UT
integrators, and have worked in joint development Kovid UT is a UT data acquisition and analysis
projects with renowned R&D organizations such as software. It supports both conventional
EPRI in the US, and the Fraunhofer Society in multi-channel and Phased Array systems.
Germany. Kovid UT has modules for controlling scanners
and advanced features such as delay law
calculators. A number of custom applications collaborating with global R&D
Achievements such as for composite inspection, weld
inspection etc have been developed on top of organizations and system
the standard software.
› Developed & implemented an Assisted Defect
Recognition (ADR) algorithm for Digital X ray
integrators to deliver
inspection for Swage Joints for Boeing; world-class Assisted or
› Developed and qualified ADR algorithms for Digital
X ray inspection of Aerospace Castings. This was a Automated Defect Detection
Materials Affordability Initiative of the US Air Force
and program managed by PCC; solutions for Aerospace and
› Developed Acoustic Mouse Technology in
cooperation with EPRI;
Defence sector OEMs
Management
Krishna Mohan Reddy C P Madhusudan
Co-Founder & CEO Director
19
Startups
www.aerosensetechnologies.in
Systems Design
and agricultural sectors. The company offers the vehicle for US Army at Fort Benning’s, Georgia
widest portfolio of indigenously designed UAVs, USA, with the experience of having developed
having a team of one of the most experienced UAVs for South Korea Aerospace, and having
designers and engineers in India. designed Unmanned aerial and ground systems
for defence applications for Indian Army,
Canadian Army, and US marines.
Achievements
› Over 17 patents in this domain and has designed,
developed and deployed more than 18 unmanned
terrestrial and aerial systems including micro/mini
UAVs, hybrid UAVs (rotor/wing crafts), loitering
munitions (combat UAVs), remotely operated
vehicles, throwable robots, EOD Robots, CBRNE
robot etc. which are currently in service with the
Indian Armed Forces; Widest portfolio of indigenously
› Trained and certified more than 1000 operators of
unmanned systems in around 80 defence/paramili- developed aerial vehicles
tary units across the world, and has earned
Appreciation Certificates;
ranging from micro Drones to
› Developed Navigation Control System for Project Transportation UAVs, with
Mantra (CVRDE–BMP–II Teleoperation);
Training/Certification services
for defence/paramilitary forces.
Technology/Product Brief
Hawk Eye Cargo Delivery Drone Hawk Eye Agriculture Drone
› Endurance - 60 minutes - 60 minutes
› Weight - 120 Kg - 60 Kg
› Range - 20 km - 20 km
› Payload - 50 kg User Defined - 20 kg User Defined
› Flight Modes - Fully Autonomous - Fully Autonomous
› MIL - STD 461E , JSS55555 - STD 461E , JSS55555
21
www.optimizedelectrotech.com
kms &
manufacturing services company focused in the › Human detection upto 20 kms distance and
Indigenous Design, Development and identification upto 1 km;
Manufacture (IDDM) of imaging, vision, camera › Ruggedised systems suitable for military, aerial,
Identification at
and surveillance products with software image and cross-border deployments;
processing and analytics solutions catering to › High contrast images suited for accurate image
multiple applications in commercial aerospace, processing and analytics;
1 km distance
maritime, industrial, and defence sectors. › High quality imaging even in low/fluctuating light
conditions;
The surveillance system engineered to deliver › Friend vs Foe detection + Narrow Field of View
advanced vision in air traffic control for capabilities;
military/commercial aviation, border patrol, › Proven for air traffic control applications for
critical infrastructure inspection and aerial survey. military and commercial aviation;
Founding Team
Sandeep Shah Kuldeep Saxena Dharin Shah Anil Yekkala
MD & CEO Executive Director Executive Director Executive Director
22
www.combatroboticsindia.com
Ground Vehicle
navigation, advanced battery management › Detect & Monitor Mines
systems, suited for various applications in › Transmit live feed from inaccessible terrain
military, disaster relief, coastal marine operations. › Modular Grip Attachments for Plug & Play
usability
Supported by SINE IIT-Bombay & Intel India under › Design with minimum components for Zero
PlugIn accelerator program, and TiE Pune under Failures
Nurture 7.0 program. › Magnet arrangement for deployment and
recovery from height
› Modular Attachments for easy Plug and Play
Achievements › Endurance: 3 Hr
Founding Team
Ganesh Pandit Suryawanshi Arjun Singh Rathore Yuvaraj Karoshi Sandeep Bhole
Founder & CEO
Nitesh Ambare
23
www.nopo.in
Nanotubes
nanotubes (an advanced light, strong material applied in the development of various
that is conduction and radiation resistant) based
aero materials which can be used for aerospace
products:
› Superblack Optical Coating for Spacecraft,
and defence products, with multiple spinoff
capable of improving performance of star tracker
applications in biotechnology, water, automobiles
equipment and optical components;
and other industrial segments.
› High strength Silk, 5 times tougher than Kevlar;
› Molecular Water Transport Membrane 1000x
NoPo’s grand vision is to enable the transition of
faster than other Bio Membranes;
humanity into space faring species-by making this
› New class of CFRP Composite suitable for
space material accessible to all.
Aerostructures with 30% higher modulus and
stiffness, capable of self sensing;
Achievements
› Winner of IIGP Grant in 2018, sponsored by DST,
Lockheed Martin and Tata Trusts;
› Selected for the Grant under the ELEVATE 100
program of Dept. of IT, Govt. of Karnataka;
An advanced light, strong,
conduction and radiation
resistant, ideally suited for
aerospace and defence
applications
Founding Team
Gadhadar Reddy Dr. Robert Kelley Bradley Dr. Rajat Rakkhit Changalaraya Reddy
Founder & CEO Co-Founder, Co-Inventor - HiPCO Co-Founder, Head-strategy Angel Investor
24
www.parallax.co.in
solutions for
computing systems in virtual, augmented and with assessment report and recommendations
mixed reality, the company caters to for rectification/improvement.
manufacturing, pharma, automotive, aerospace,
Defence
Aerospace
and defence verticals. With a team of competent
professionals in mechatronics, computer science, Developed mixed/virtual reality based training
software engineering, and user experience and centre for paramedic staff in Indian Navy for
interaction design, they offer end-to-end fully effective procedural training at lowest costs,
integrated content design, development and creating multiple emergency scenarios and
delivery solutions of the company is proven to simulation of highly critical on-field situations.
offer increased operational effectiveness and
boost profitability.
Satellite Terrestrial Imaging
A 3D mapping and modeling tool to generate high
Achievements quality terrestrial maps based on input satellite
planetary data, with visualisation and annotation
› Over 40+ projects completed successfully serving
features to facilitate collaboration and analytics.
for aerospace,
a diverse portfolio of clients across several
industry verticals; maufacturing, pharma,
› Established 5 VR/AR labs in Europe and USA for
leading automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and
and automotive verticals
vendors;
› Commenced overseas operations from their UK
office in 2019;
Founding Team
Krupalu H. Mehta Vivek Surve Jayesh Kolte
Co-Founder Co-Founder Co-Founder
25
www.astrome.co
connectivity
communication company with a vision of SpaceNet provides high speed internet to ships
mmWave ubiquitous and affordable wireless and outposts in remote areas. Upto 400Mbps per
connectivity brought to reality. Incubated at device (user equipment) specifically designed for
using mmWave
Indian Institute of Science, and powered by moving platforms like aircraft and ships. Each
indigenous V/W-Band wireless technology, SpaceNet transponder forms thousands of
Astrome is building SpaceNnet - a constellation of spot-beams over its footprint which can be
satellite
200 low-earth orbit satellites, each carrying their configured remotely by software, while offering
in-house developed ultra high capacity 12X more than conventional satellites.
communications
transponders that provides broadband internet
services to consumers, industrial sectors, and GigaMesh
armed forces. GigaMesh extends the range of fiber by
distributing capacity wirelessly. Upto 80+ Gbps
Astrome has also developed GigaMesh - a per device, ideal for providing 4G/5G connectivity
multi-Gbps, multi point-to-point wireless to outposts in remote areas. GigaMesh forms
communication device that extends the range of multiple point-to-point links with narrow
4G/5G infrastructure by providing fibre-like electronically steerable beams, resulting in
capacity wirelessly. additive capacity and very high frequency reuse,
which reduces OpEx and multiplies returns on
Powered by 200+ low-earth
Achievements CapEx.
orbit satellites with
indigenous ultra high › Winner of IIGP Grant in 2018, sponsored by DST,
Lockheed Martin and Tata Trusts;
capacity transponders › Selected for the Grant under the ELEVATE 100
program of Dept. of IT, Govt. of Karnataka;
› Received the National Award in 'Technology
Startups' category (2018) by the President of
India. [Technology Development Board, Dept of
Science & Technology, Govt of India];
› Most Promising Aerospace and Defense Startup
Award by NASSCOM and IESA;
Founding Team
Dr. Neha Satak Dr. Prasad Hl Bhat
Founder & CEO Co-Founder & CTO
26
www.garudan.ind.in
Founding Team
Nandakumar Muruganantham Kalpana Muruganantham
Director Director
27
www.generalaeronautics.com
engineering
building highly customised UAS, UAVs and drones Versatile UAV platform with open payload
for various commercial airlines, agricultural, architecture and more than 60 mins of flight time.
industrial and defence applications, for
experience
humanitarian aid, disaster relief and GA-3T
surveillance/intelligence missions. The Endurance in excess of 6 hrs with up to 2 kg
engineering team, backed with several hundred payload with up to 6 km range. Drone is capable
man-years of experience in design and of HD quality video transmission and has been
development of aerial systems, are at par with aerodynamically designed to be stable to
global standards of talent in aircraft design and maneuver in high head winds.
engineering.
GA-3H
Achievements Designed for high-altitude/high-payload (15 kg)
capabilities, custom designed for HALE operation.
The design variant for precision agriculture
› Only CEMILAC approved design unit for the
operations has 15 ltr payload carrying capacity
development of compact UAV systems and
delivering lowest cost platforms in India;
with advanced crop specific nozzles and ample
endurance to cover a range of more than three
› Attained R&D Certification from DSIR;
advanced and compact acres in a single flight.
Founding Team
Dr. Kota Harinarayana Dr. Anutosh Moitra Air Cmde PK Choudhary Abhishek Burman
Chairman Founder Director Founder Director Founder & CEO
28
www.stelae-technologies.com
System
› S1000dD is the Information Exchange standard in
The AI software Khemeia™ is a content acquisition Aerospace & Defence to enable the Digital
engine for all data applications which detects and Transformation of the industry.
incubated by
extracts content elements in unstructured › Stelae Technologies with is software Khemeia™
documents, meta-data, structures content has been one of the pioneers in this space since
2012, to transform technical publications to
AirBus
(paragraphs, images, tables, footnotes,
multi-column text). Currently implemented at S1000D– creating an automated, scalable and
major enterprise and public sector entities across cost effective solution to transform large data
many verticals. volumes.
Achievements
Stelae Technologies, has won multiple awards –
IBM Global Entrepreneur winner for India & APAC
in 2014, CIO Asia Magazine Top 20 Product Strong track-record of
Companies in 2015, Nasscom’s Emerge 10
companies in 2015 and more recently, UKTI’s customer acquisition and
Global Entrepreneur Program (2015) and London
& Partner’s India Emerging 20 in 2016.
systems integration with
leading Aerospace OEMs
and gaining rapid
acceptance within the
armed forces
Founding Team
Aruna Schwarz Pierre Fraisse Sandeep Raizada
Founder & CEO Co-Founder & CTO Co-Founder & VP-Engg
29
www.manastuspace.com
system for
propulsion technology, including innovative
thrusters for satellites, rockets and landers. Their propellant offering significant benefits:
propulsion systems are non carcinogenic, less
satellite launch
toxic and available for a lower cost compared to
› Non toxic propellent avoids fatal accidents during
conventional systems. the handling of propulsion systems, and high-risk
exposure to carcinogenic hydrazine based
vehicles
In partnership with IIT Bombay, the company has propellants;
achieved significant progress in the development › Innovative engine designed for propulsion system
and trials of their green propulsion systems with catalyses satellite launch vehicle performance
significant size, cost, and performance benefits with reduced satellite size/volume, 40% less
for satellite launch vehicles. toxicity, 25% higher performance, and 30% cost
savings;
Achievements Credentials
› Worlds top 10 start up to pitch to global investors
like Airbus, Lockheed, Boeing, NASA at IAC 2018, Founding Team comprises of ex-DRDO scientists
Germany, world leading conference; with decades of combined experience in the
reducing significantly › Winner of the IIGP, solving problems of tomorrow space and satellite systems, developed a satellite
launched by ISRO still live and was built in IIT
satellite size/volume, lower by DST, Lockheed and Tata;
Bombay.
Founding Team
Tushar Jadhav Ashtesh Kumar
Co-Founder & CEO Co-Founder & CTO
30
www.aus.co.in
conventional
analytics capabilities catering to multiple mapping. It saves 10x time and effort as
industrial sectors, with a strong track-record of compared to any other conventional drone
winning several government contracts. technology.
Achievements
› Over 12 Lakh acres area mapped in last 12 in delivering full-spectrum
›
months;
Empanelled with 6 state governments in India; enterprise aerial solutions
›
›
Among the Top 10 AgriTech companies of 2018;
Capacity to cover more than 90 sq.km per day;
powered by advanced data
› 250+ villages mapped in Rajasthan for watershed storage, analytics and
development;
visualization platform for
wide ranging applications in
several industrial sectors
Founding Team
Nikhil Upadhye Vipul Singh Suhas Banishwala Yeshwanth Reddy
Founder & CEO CEO CTO COO
31
www.dimensionnxg.com
95° Field Of
using disruptive technology to empower The Dimension NXG AjnaLens is a mixed reality
automobile, aerospace, healthcare, education, headset with this 95° FOV.
manufacturing, and real estate sectors by
View
providing cost cutting, error reduction and Compatible with many MR applications:
increasing productivity. users may access many work applications such as
AjnaSurge, for the medical industry, or MR
Combining the power of custom designed Builder, for construction and design.
hardware with immersive AR/VR content Detailed holograms: the computing system
generation software systems, they offer provides world-sensing holograms that integrate
significant value through the aerospace with the surrounding environment.
maintenance assistance platform bringing
Gesture, gaze, and voice control: users can
features such as instant skill mastery, holographic
control the AjnaLens headset easily and intuitively
teleportation, x-ray vision, clairvoyance among a
thanks to built-in sensors.
few.
Ajnaassist
combined with software Achievements AjnaAssist allows your company to connect
remote experts and field technicians in real time
platforms for high quality › #1 Innovation across India to collaborate on a task in AR. Both users have
the ability to manipulate augmented content and
› Graham Bell Innovation Award - Breakthrough
content generation and delivery low-cost Technology; add annotations that ‘lock’ onto real-world objects
in the technician’s field of view. This allows
› Technology Innovation Leadership Award in AR
for a plethora of training and Headset; companies to reduce downtime and increase
safety, giving technicians the power to make
maintenance operations › India’s #1 Disruptive startup - India TiECon 2016;
› Top 15 Hardware Wearables - Qualcomm QDIC, repairs, and decisions that they would otherwise
applications in aerospace, 2018; be unable to do so.
Founding Team
Pankaj Raut Abhishek Tomar Abhijit Patil
CEO CTO COO
32
www.tereromobility.com
Operations
fuel consumption, flight delays and downtimes in military transport aircrafts operating at austere
civil as well as military aviation. locations, bringing great value to humanitarian
aid, and disaster relief missions.
Solutions
In situations of large scale natural disasters or in
rescue operations in remote locations, and off Being developed for Lockheed Martin’s Hercules
base military encampments, limited airfield, C-130 aircraft, CGBS eliminates the need to rely
damaged infrastructure, lack of adequate ground on the availability of equipment at remote and
handling equipment and manpower availability disaster relief mission site as well as reduce the
are methodically and systematically address with downtime during loading/unloading from 4-6
their innovative fully automated Cargo Ground hours to less than 1.5 hours.
Buildup System (CGBS).
Achievements
› Selected as Grant Winner (2018) in the University developed for Lockheed
Innovation Challenge track of the IIGP 2.0
program organised by Dept. of Science and Martin’s Hercules C-130
Technology, Lockheed Martin, and Tata Trusts;
aircraft, CGBS is a cargo
material handling platform
developed for military
transport airports
Founding Team
Anupam Chandra Vishwajeet
Founder & CEO COO
33
www.skylarkdrones.com
Enterprise
inspection services covering custom flight A holistic view of the mine lifecycle with the help
missions combined with proprietary cloud of drone solutions allow for cm. level planning,
platform for data acquisition, visualization, and monitoring and inspection of stockpile, hauls
Aerial (Drone)
analytics capabilities catering to needs in the roads, lease boundaries and safety blocks.
agriculture, mining, utilities, and infrastructure
sectors. Agriculture
Achievements
covering custom flight
› Awarded by Economic Times as 'Best on Campus'
missions combined with Startup in the ET Awards 2018;
proprietary cloud platform
for data acquisition,
visualization, and analytics
capabilities.
Founding Team
Mugilan Thiru Ramasamy Mrinal Pai
Founder Co-Founder
34
www.sastrarobotics.com
Honeywell &
Exhaustive and extensive testing methods that 365 days a year. It uses the highest quality
ensure rigorous testing beyond the human components which ensures that the performance
capacity and capability. Sastra Robotics builds and is maintained throughout its lifetime. It has a
BOSCH
delivers Robotic solutions for human-like compact form factor which makes it easy for
automated functional testing of real physical integration into the existing production lines or
devices. Their business solutions are used by stacking into server rack enclosures in SaaS
OEMs and Service Providers to expedite test companies.
cycles and reduce the time-to-market for various
products.
Achievements
› Selected as Grant Winner (2018) in the Industrial
Innovation track of the IIGP 2.0 program
organised by Dept. of Science and Technology,
as early adopters of robotic
Lockheed Martin, and Tata Trusts; testing platforms to realise
human-like functional
testing of industrial systems
and devices with
human-machine interface
(HMI) panels
Founding Team
Aronin Ponnappan Akhila A Achu Wilson
Founder & CEO Co-Founder & COO Co-Founder & CTO
35
www.airpix.in
spectrum High
& surveillance, GIS surveying & terrain mapping, Remote Sensing
disaster management, farming, asset inspection, Our UAV systems autonomously cover large areas
events and consumer services applications. to capture high resolution data as high as upto 1
Resolution
Provides data processing and analytics solutions cm/pixel in visible or Near infrared (NIR) spectrum
from UAV-as-a-service for Government bodies, for producing highly detailed and accurate
mining, railways, agriculture, resources, oil and orthophotos, 3D Digital Elevation Models,
Aerial Imaging
gas industries. topographic data, NDVI maps. The data provides
valuable insights to our clients in terms of
High resolution aerial imagery in visual, thermal, assessment, planning, site design and
and near infrared spectrum, to generate high maintenance.
density point clouds, 2D & 3D outputs like
orthophoto, digital surface models, asset
inspection reports for planimetric, volumetric
UAV Inspection and Monitoring
Deploying UAVs for collecting data in situations
analyses, change tracking, defect identification,
potentially hazardous to human life by eliminat-
etc.
ing health and safety risks posed while inspecting
critical infrastructure or scouting remote/disaster
Achievements struck areas. Reducing overall costs and improv-
solutions delivered in the ing safety, our services facilitate fast acquisition of
high quality data to provide valuable insights to
UAV-as-a-Service model for › Selected as Grant Winner (2017) in the Industrial
Innovation track of the IIGP 2.0 program
industries and government bodies in terms of
preventive maintenance and emergency response
surveillance, GIS remote sensing, organised by Dept. of Science and Technology,
Lockheed Martin, and Tata Trusts;
planning.
Founding Team
Aniket Tatipamula Shinil Shekhar Neeraj Waghchaure
Founder Founder Founder
36
www.scapic.com
Desktop
allows users to build, explore, share virtual and Reality experiences that can be shared across
augmented reality experiences from their browsers, social media and VR headsets with the
personal web browsers. They have rapidly built a help of a single link no additional app downloads
Computing
clientele of many top corporates in multiple necessary.
sectors including online retail, real estate,
healthcare, education, sports, and media & Mixed Reality Remote Support Solution which
entertainment. allows on-ground technicians to collaborate with
any remote expert providing in-context
troubleshooting.
Achievements
› Innovative startup by Karnataka government
under their Elevate-100 programme;
› Recognition by the Wharton India Economic
forum as one of the top 20 innovative startups in
India;
A software cloud platform
› Recognized by Crunchbase as one of the top 5 to create, edit, and share
startups in 2018 with seed capital;
immersive AR, VR, 3D
content
Founding Team
Ajay PV Sai Krishna VK
Founder Co-Founder
37
www.agnikul.in
at lowest cost,
nano satellite launch vehicle catering to the Our first product is a three stage launch vehicle,
ignored commercial satellite market in the areas with each stage of the vehicle is powered by liquid
of remote sensing, agriculture, marine & propulsion systems that burn kerosene in liquid
in a week
maritime, disaster management etc. with their oxygen to produce the required thrust. We focus
mission to enabling the launch of rockets on modular design and additive manufacturing to
(satellites) anywhere, anytime and affordably. be able to have a “launch-on-demand” business
model to take small satellites to space. The launch
Conventional satellite launch missions take over a vehicle can carry upto 100kg payload and reach
year to build a small satellite, but it takes 3-4 orbits upto 700 kms.
years to launch, and the cost of launch is
$35,000/KG while the cost of production is merely Indigenous facility for thrust testing has been
$10,000/KG. The reason being the lack of constructed at IIT Madras.
adequate launch vehicles for small satellites.
Agnikul is pioneering a launch-on-demand model
with a 1 week lead time and at one third the
launch cost.
pioneering a Achievements
launch-on-demand model › Qualified for the DARPA Launch Challenge, after
enabled by orbital class nano successfully completing engine tests and system
level design of the vehicle;
launch vehicles developed
with modular design and
additive manufacturing
Founding Team
R V Perumal Srinath Ravichandran Prof. S R Chakravarthy Moin SPM
EX-ISRO GSLV Project Director Co-Founder & CEO NCCRD, IIT Madras Co-Founder & COO
38
www.neewee.ai
Analytics in
machine/production/process monitoring, effective decision making. The platform enables
predictive maintenance, process simulation and and accelerates the transition to Connected
visualization in the Platform-as-a-Service model. Manufacturing by enabling condition monitoring
Aerospace
and predictive manufacturing/production control
The simulation, analytics and visualization for each line within 6-8 weeks.
platforms and solutions developed by NeeWee
combined with aerial drone operations deliver
high performance and increased efficiency in
remote sensing, aerial surveillance, asset
inspection applications.
Founding Team
Suyog Joshi Nataraj Soorkod Harsimrat Bhasin
Founder & CEO Co-Founder & CTO Co-Founder & COO
39
www.bellatrixaerospace.com
Propulsion
in the design and development of orbital launch Bellatrix is engaged in the design and
vehicles (rockets), new generation propellants, development of different satellite propulsion
and electric propulsion systems for satellites. systems including:
cost satellite
high performance alternative to Hydrazine
Achievements › Nano Thrusters, propulsion system designed for
nano satellite constellations
Founding Team
Rohan M Ganapathy Yashas Karanam
Founder & CEO Co-Founder & COO
40
www.tonboimaging.com
Aerospace
visualisation in challenging environments like electro optical system for aerial surveillance and
modern day battlefields, critical infrastructure, reconnaissance. It is designed as a modular but
unmanned reconnaissance, driving in the dark, integrated system with a cooled MWIR thermal
despite environment obscurants like smoke, dust, imager, short wave infrared imager, color HD
fog and camouflage. imager, low light TV and spotter, IR pointer, IR
illuminator, laser range finder, and GPS &
The company’s offerings consist of sophisticated compass for very long range surveillance,
imaging products, custom design applications and reconnaissance and targeting applications.
intellectual property cores that can be licensed by
aerospace OEMs and systems integrators.
Founding Team
Arvind Lakshmikumar Ankit Kumar Sudeep George Cecilia D'Souza
Founder & CEO Co-Founder & CTO Co-Founder & VP Co-Founder & CFO
41
www.huviair.com
enterprise
custom drone flight missions with an integrated end workflows for:
platform for drone data storage, processing, › Processing of aerial surveying, mapping and
analytics, and visualization, catering to large imaging data.
aerial solutions
industrial clients in the construction, › Visualizing high resolution 2D and 3D GIS maps
infrastructure, smart cities, insurance, renewable (Orthomosaic, DSM, DTM, 3D model, Contours of
energy and natural resource management required intervals) with map tools such as
company
sectors. distance, area, volumetrics, elevation profile, 3D
coordinates, layer control, user generated maps,
HUVIAiR is aiming to deliver aerial solutions for annotations and digitization.
inspection and survey more than 5 times faster › Performing AI enabled analytics for applications
when compared to conventional workflows, in surface water modeling, roof-top solar pv yield,
saving thousands of dollars by avoiding object identification and counting, demarcation of
unwarranted change orders. The integrated buildings, change detection and many more.
full-spectrum hardware + software + services › Processing videos and images with custom
capabilities achieve 99.9% accuracy using high analytics for aerial surveying and inspection in
resolution 3D measurement tools and enhance industrial asset management.
safety of projects by 40%.
Founding Team
Vikshut Mundkur Arjun P Janananda
Co-Founder & CEO Co-Founder & CTO
42
www.galactica.ai
Gigapixel
academia along with strategic industry
partnerships. The data analytics platform offers resolution digital images as a mosaic based on
cutting-edge, powerful Computer Vision & AI pre-defined parameters.
Camera
algorithms to extract insights from satellite and
aerial systems surveillance, mapping, and asset Leveraging their expertise lies in image sensors,
inspection data. sensor electronics, custom optics & processing
algorithms, they aim to create custom cameras
from 5 megapixel onwards with a road map to
The Galactica cloud analytics platform is a become the first Made in India Gigapixel Camera.
one-stop-shop to manage your geospatial data. Applications of this product include surveillance,
Our platform has been optimized for storing and defence and homeland security. A Gigapixel
running large-scale compute jobs on geospatial based video surveillance platform can potentially
data. You can create custom dashboards to resolve details as small as six inches and observe
visualize your data or combine results from an area of 25-50 square kilometres from an
multiple sources in order get a complete picture. altitude of 10- 20,000 feet.
to realise high quality video
surveillance systems for aerial
surveying, defence, homeland
security and border patrol
applications combined with
deep-tech AI powered cloud
analytics platform
Founding Team
Dr. Mukul Sarkar Vinayak Dalmia Vrinda Kapoor
Based in Silicon Valley and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi), they are a group of researchers
and entrepreneurs with a fondness for all things deep tech and sci-fi.
43
www.fabheads.in
fabrication with
highly qualified team, developing innovative The company has indigenously developed the
solutions for effectively manufacturing complex technology to 3D print Carbon fiber reinforced
composite parts. With a host of different thermoplastics for the first time in India. Besides
innovative 3D
technology and material to synergise with each Carbon, the printer is also capable of printing
other, the company manufactures high Glass and Kevlar fiber products.
performance 3D printers for composite materials.
printers Achievements
Hybrid Fabrication and Mold-Free
Production
The Hybrid fabrication technique includes
› First in India to indigenously develop and Fabheads 3D printing along with existing
commercialise Carbon Fiber 3D Printer; traditional fabrication process like resin infusion,
› First in India to demonstrate indigenously layup, etc. This concept allows for very fast
developed Fiber Placement Apparatus; production of higher volumes even without a
› Awarded for ‘Outstanding Innovation in requirement of a mold, saving both time and cost.
Composites’ at ICERP 2019 (International
for printing structures with Conference and Exhibition on Reinforced Plastics);
› Awarded the ‘Top Startup in Manufacturing’ in
composites and carbon fibre Startupreneurs 2018 by CII;
Founding Team
Dhinesh Kanagaraj Sreedhar Venugopal
Founder & CEO Head of Materials & Tech
44
Ecosystem
Innovations for Defence Excellence Initiatives & Programs Defence India Startup Challenge is an
initiative under the iDEX framework launched by
(iDEX) framework, launched in April 2018 at
DefExpo, by the Prime Minister of India, primarily Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) in
› Set up and manage iDEX network – Partner partnership with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
aims at creation of an ecosystem to foster
Incubators & Independent Defence Innovation aimed at supporting innovators to create
innovation and technology development in
Hubs prototypes and/or to commercialise
Defence and Aerospace by engaging industries
including MSMEs, Start-ups, Individual Innovators,
› Communicate with innovators/startups products/solutions based on advanced
R&D Institutes & Academia, and provide them regarding defence needs technologies in areas of national security.
grants/funding and other support to create › Design and manage challenges tailored to
product and services for future adoption for specific innovation needs SPARK (Support for Prototype and Research
Indian defence and aerospace needs. › Evaluate technologies and products in terms of Kickstart) framework is with the twin vision:
their utility and impact on the Indian defence (a) help create functional prototypes of
iDEX is also the executive arm of the Defence setup products/technologies relevant for national
Innovation Organisation (DIO), which is the legal › Facilitate advanced QA and testing for military security (prototyping), and spur fast-moving
entity created by the defence PSUs HAL & BEL - to level compliance innovation in the Indian defence sector;
support the MoD in building the › Enable and fund pilots, using innovation funds (b) help new tech products/technologies find a
entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem in dedicated to the purpose market and early customer (commercialization)
Defence in India. › within the Indian Defence Services or the Defence
Facilitate rapid adoption, and manufacturing
PSUs.
partnerships for scale
Objectives Applicants showing capability, intent, and promise
to be able to produce functional prototypes or to
productize existing technologies will be awarded
› Rapid adoption of new technologies for grants of up to Rs. 1.5 crores, strictly on a
indigenous defence production and
milestone basis and starting, in the form of
commercialization
grant/equity/debt/other relevant structures.
› Create a platform for Defence Services and DPSUs
to engage with innovators/startups, seeding the
culture of Open Defence Innovation
› Empowered culture to “Fail Fast and Recover
Faster” in technology/product co-creation
between innovators and users
DISC Challenges 1
Individual Protection System See Through Armour Carbon Fibre Winding (CFW) Active Protection System (APS) Secure hardware based
with built-in sensors offline Encryptor Device for
Graded Security
Development of 4G/LTE Development of Advanced Artificial Intelligence in Unmanned Surface and Remotely Piloted Airborne Laser Weaponry
based Tactical Technology Based Logistics & SCM Underwater Vehicles Vehicles
Local Area Network Desalination System and
Bilge Oily Water Separation System
DISC Challenges 2
GPS Anti Jam Device Data Analytics Illegal usage of Drones RADAR - IQ
for Air Trajectory Signal Generator
aim.gov.in
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is Government of AIM’s objectives are to create and promote an ecosystem of innovation and
India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of the country at school, university, research
innovation and entrepreneurship in the country. institutions, MSME and corporate industry levels. The Mission has been set up under NITI
AIM’s objective is to develop new programmes and Aayog, in accordance with the Hon’ble Finance Minister’s declaration in the 2015 Budget
policies for fostering innovation in different sectors Speech.
of the economy, provide platform and
collaboration opportunities for different AIM has multiple programs to encourage and support innovation in the country.
stakeholders, create awareness and create an Currently, state of the art Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) are being established in thousands of
umbrella structure to oversee innovation schools, world class Atal Incubation Centres (AIC), and Atal Community Innovation
ecosystem of the country. Centers (ACIC) are being established for universities and industry, and promotion of product
development in areas of national relevance and social importance is being supported
AIM’s flagship schemes include establishing Atal through Atal New India Challenges (ANICs). Many other programs under AIM establish
Tinkering Labs in schools and Atal Incubation connections between networks and centres of excellence in the Indian innovation ecosystem.
Centers in partnership with the private sector,
providing scaling up support to Established Under the ATL program, more than 10,000 schools are expected to establish these labs by
Incubation Centers, and funding ultra-low cost 2020. More than 100 Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) are likely to established around the
solution to India’s most intractable problems country, supporting at least 50-60 startups each over the first five years. More than 100
through Atal New India Challenges and Atal Grand innovators/startups are expected to receive some support for productizing their innovations.
Challenges. Other programs being supported through ministries will have even more beneficiaries. Till
date, 5441 Atal Tinkering Labs have been selected across the country, out of which 2171 ATLs
5000+ schools in India supported with the from 623 districts have already received the first tranche of grant-in-aid for establishment of
setting up of Atal Tinkering Labs the labs in their respective schools.
GOVERNMENT INDUSTRY
Associations /
Centre / States Corporates
Company Brief
Startup India is a flagship initiative of the
Government of India, intended to build a strong
ecosystem that is conducive for the growth of
startup businesses, to drive sustainable economic
growth and generate large scale employment
opportunities. The scheme has 3 objectives:
Aerospace Engagements
› Startup India has worked extensively with the
Airports Authority of India (AAI) through the
AAI Startup Initiative
› The AAI Startup Initiative allows startups to
work with AAI to develop customized
airport-relevant innovations across 7 sectors
› Selected startups will be able to pilot test
their innovations and receive funding and
mentorship by the Airports Authority of India
Leadership
Ramesh Abhishek
Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry
and Internal Trade
Directory
Enterprise Aerial Solutions
Asteria Aviorone Technologies Samiksha Aerospace
Bengaluru, Karnataka Raipur, Chhattisgarh Bengaluru, Karnataka
General Aeronautics
Bengaluru, Karnataka Aerospace Infrastructure
Orxa Solutions & Services
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Acumen Aviation
Pranavam Aerospace Bengaluru, Karnataka
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Virgo Aerospace
Aadyaanveshan Private Limited Hyderabad, Telangana
Bengaluru, Karnataka
Avionics, Communication Avionics, Communication
& Payload & Payload
Alpha Design Technologies Elcomponics Aerob Technologies Parallax
Bengaluru, Karnataka Noida, Uttar Pradesh Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tonbo Imaging
& Solutions AI Labs
Bengaluru, Karnataka Trivandrum, Kerala
Avionics, Communication 17
& Payload
Space/Satellite Vehicles 5
& Systems
Innovative Aerial 34
Vehicles/Systems
Editorial
The global tech sector - specifically the high octane segment of tech startups and venture capitalists, in the post world-wars era
and during the cold war regime and its aftermath, rose to dizzying heights fuelled primarily by the government funded defence
research and innovation programs of USA, Europe, and Israel. The rise of Israel as a global powerhouse in the field of high tech
innovation and entrepreneurship, can be solely credited to its defence forces, creating thousands of high-growth enterprises,
generating employment for the largest pool of the most highly skilled technology workforce, and building world-class universities
engaged in pioneering research on par with the best.
The defence sector has been the cradle of the most impactful and transformative technologies, which not only strengthened the
armed forces with world-class products but also revolutionised many of the civilian sectors including aerospace, automobiles,
healthcare, space, telecom, digital-media-internet, manufacturing & logistics etc., with the most disruptive industrial products
and consumer services.
The launch of iDEX is therefore a major milestone for not only the tech startups entrepreneurship ecosystem in India, but for
fuelling the transformation of the innovation capacity and output of our nation. The added advantage being that we can fully
exploit the rapidly rising startup ecosystem that has gained global salience in tech startups and VC investments, riding the highly
capable talent base we are endowed with.
Over the past few months as we stepped up our efforts to bring together the different stakeholders of the defence ecosystem, Sanjay Jaju, IAS
we collected and studied data to map out the current state of technology oriented innovation and entrepreneurship activities. In Joint Secretary, Dept of Defence Production
doing so we came up with the idea to undertake a more organised effort to catalog the innovative companies in the form of a Min. of Defence, Govt. of India
directory - both enterprises (companies older than 5 years) and startups (companies younger than 5 years), engaged in cutting CEO, iDEX (DIO)
edge technology/product development serving the needs of the defence and aerospace sectors. On the occasion of the Aero
India 2019, we decided to deliver the first outcome of this process, a directory of innovative companies engaged in different
technology and product segments of the aerospace sector both defence and civilian. On date, the count is nearing the 200 mark,
and will be further expanded when we include those companies engaged in serving homeland security, terrestrial, naval, and
marine applications within the armed forces.
Going one step further, we decided to launch a coffee table book to recognise some of the winning champions (enterprises) and
rising stars (startups) to serve as role models that inspire the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. As to the title of
the book TRAILBLAZERS, well it is but most befitting.
The selection of 12 Enterprises and 24 Startups was a tough call with respect to choosing from among the 150+ options
available, as recommendations poured in from global aerospace majors (AirBus, Lockheed, Boeing), ecosystem enablers (DST,
Atal Innovation Mission, NASSCOM), defence services & DPSUs, iDEX partner incubators, and industry associations, which in itself
is a strong indicator of the health of the ecosystem that iDEX aims to galvanise. The chosen ones represent a diverse mix
covering innovative tech powered business models delivering commercial aerial solutions, advanced aerostructures and
materials, satellite communications, indigenously designed autonomous aircrafts and payloads etc., another important
consideration that influenced our selection. The exacting time constraints within which this project was executed, meant that we
could only come up with an indicative list of companies featured as role models and included in the directory. However, the
project has enormously invigorated us both to publish a sequel in the near future and an exhaustive version of the directory
even sooner.
We thank the many persons and partners, who supported us in the realization of the first edition of TRAILBLAZERS. Vish Sahasranamam
Co-Founder & CEO, FORGE
* Information about Enterprises and Startups presented in the book is based on specific inputs received from the companies, combined iDEX Partner Incubator
with information sourced from their webpages only, and edited to read consistently and to normalise the terms;
Concept & Design