Drone tech startup IG Drones raises $1 million in funding led by India Accelerator, angels
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Funding and Expansion Plans: Drone tech startup IG Drones has successfully raised $1 million in its initial funding round led by India Accelerator and aims to secure an additional $3 million within the next six months to expand its operations both in India and globally.
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Founders and Services Offered: Founded in 2018 by Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya and Om Prakash, IG Drones specializes in drone-based services such as mapping, inspection, and surveying, having completed over 500 projects in collaboration with the Indian Army and numerous corporations.
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Research and Development Focus: The funds raised will be used to enhance R&D, with a particular emphasis on creating advanced drone solutions for defense applications, in partnership with international defense and aerospace companies.
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Innovative Products: The company has developed unique technologies, including the AI-powered Jaga drone (the first AI-on-edge drone) and India’s first 5G drone, which are geared towards improving efficiencies in various sectors, including agriculture through its Kisaan initiative.
- Empowering Education in Drone Technology: IG Drones is also dedicated to education, having established a Drone Centre of Excellence and trained over 50,000 youth in drone technology across India, thereby supporting the government’s push for cutting-edge technology in the country.
Drone tech startup IG Drones has raised $1 million in its initial funding round led by India Accelerator, with participation from various angel investors.
IG Drones also plans to raise an additional $3 million over the next six months to further expand its operations in India and globally.
Who are the founders?
Founded in 2018 by Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya and Om Prakash, IG Drones provides drone-based services for mapping, inspection, and surveying.
The startup offers services such as powerline monitoring, bridge inspection, pipeline and solar plant inspection, railroad services, and agricultural surveys.
It claims to have completed over 500 projects in collaboration with the Indian Army, numerous state governments, and more than 100 major corporations.
Purpose of fundraising
The startup plans to use the raised capital to expand its research and development (R&D) efforts, specifically focusing on creating state-of-the-art drone solutions tailored for defence applications. For this, it will partner with international companies specializing in the defence and aerospace sectors.
“Our focus remains on innovation and R&D, talent acquisition, and global expansion. We are poised for exponential growth this year, solidifying our position as leaders in Drone Tech and AI. This first round of funding will provide the necessary boost for the brand’s advanced R&D in drone technology. It will also bolster our efforts to foster the drone tech landscape in India, in line with the government’s vision to promote cutting-edge technology. By leveraging advanced Drone Tech and AI, we can assist multiple industries like never before through predictive analytics,” said Sanghapriya, who is also the CEO of IG Drones.
Offering AI-powered Jaga drone
IG Drones has developed a flagship product, the AI-powered Jaga drone, the first AI-on-edge drone that has garnered acclaim for its cutting-edge technology and precision performance.
The startup has built India’s first 5G drone and has been working with the defense sector as well as other leading companies.
IG Drones’ Kisaan is revolutionizing the agricultural sectors by supporting farmers with cutting-edge solutions.
Empowering India’s youth in drone technology
IG Drones has established the Drone Centre of Excellence (CoE) to educate and empower India’s youth in drone technology and has signed an MOU with institutes like IIT Bhubaneswar and IIM Sambalpur.
IG Drones is an NSDC Prime Partner and has trained 50,000+ youth across the country.
Last year, it launched India’s first indigenously developed simulator, IG Military Simulator, in the presence of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Ashish Bhatia, Founder & CEO at India Accelerator, remarked, ” IG Drones is innovatively pushing the boundaries of aerial technology and redefining the future of industries. Its advanced tech-based solutions are not only transforming operations across sectors but also driving efficiency and scalability in truly remarkable ways. We look forward to supporting their journey as they take flight and lead the charge in this rapidly evolving space.”
Here’s a summarized list of the key components related to the funding of the startup IG Drones as mentioned in the provided text:
Startup:
- Name: IG Drones
- Founded: 2018
- Founders: Bodhisattwa Sanghapriya and Om Prakash
- Industry: Drone technology and services (mapping, inspection, surveying)
Funding Information:
- Initial Fundraise Amount: $1 million
- Funding Round: Initial funding round
- Main Investor: India Accelerator
- Participating Investors: Various angel investors
- Planned Additional Fundraise Amount: $3 million over the next six months
Purpose of Fundraising:
- Expand research and development (R&D) efforts
- Create advanced drone solutions for defense applications
- Partner with international companies in defense and aerospace sectors
Key Products/Technologies:
- AI-powered Jaga Drone: First AI-on-edge drone
- 5G Drone: India’s first 5G drone
- Kisaan: Solutions aimed at supporting farmers
Impact and Initiatives:
- Completed over 500 projects with Indian Army, state governments, and corporations
- Established the Drone Centre of Excellence (CoE) to educate youth
- Trained over 50,000 youth as an NSDC Prime Partner
- Launched IG Military Simulator
Comment by Investor:
- Ashish Bhatia: Founder & CEO at India Accelerator highlighted IG Drones’ innovative approach and its potential impact on various industries.
This summary encapsulates the essential details about the startup, its funding, founders, and objectives.