By Business Connect Magazine | April 17, 2025
Chennai-based Garuda Aerospace, backed by cricketing icon MS Dhoni, has secured ₹100 crore in a Series B funding round led by Venture Catalysts, valuing the drone-tech startup at $250 million. Announced on April 16, 2025, this milestone follows a total of ₹160 crore raised by the company, positioning it for an upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO). The funds will supercharge Garuda’s mission to advance indigenous drone manufacturing, with a focus on scaling production, enhancing R&D, and expanding its global footprint.
Founded in 2015 by Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Garuda Aerospace is India’s leading drone startup, boasting over 400 drones, 500 pilots, and operations across 84 cities. The company manufactures 30 types of drones and offers 50 services, including Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) for sectors like agriculture, defense, mining, and logistics. Its 20+ patents and DGCA approvals for Type Certification and Remote Pilot Training solidify its innovation edge. A new 35,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Chennai and a dedicated R&D and testing center for advanced defense drones are set to drive growth.
Garuda’s recent highlights include a ₹100 crore investment to develop a ‘Drone City’ in Andhra Pradesh’s Orvakal village, aimed at fostering drone innovation and job creation. At Aero India 2025, the company unveiled eight advanced drones for defense, including a rocket launcher drone, landmine detection system, and a Life Buoy drone for the Navy. Strategic partnerships with Tata Elxsi, Thales, and DRDO further strengthen its role in India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Social media is abuzz with excitement, with X posts calling Garuda a “game-changer” in India’s aerospace ecosystem. “This funding cements Garuda’s leadership in drone tech, aligning with India’s vision to be a global drone hub by 2030,” said Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, MD of Venture Catalysts. With plans to launch a drone aggregation platform within two months and deliver 10,000-15,000 drones in the next year, Garuda Aerospace is poised to redefine India’s drone landscape.
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