Zebu Raises $1 Mn to Boost Defence Drone Deployment

14 May 2025 CW Team

Founded in 2021 by Dr Santosh Balajee Banisetty, Zebu has developed four cutting-edge drones:

1. IAF Net Drone, a hostile drone neutraliser with a six-cartridge trap system

2. Coast Guard Surface Drone for search and rescue missions

3. Swarm-Enabled Combat Drone for coordinated aerial strikes

4. Tethered Surveillance Drone for uninterrupted border monitoring

The company is now advancing field tests and preparing for production, with sights set on securing a further $5 million to scale integration and explore global markets. Zebu recently set a Guinness World Record for drone endurance and is actively working with the Indian Coast Guard and Army on system trials and certifications.

Bluehill VC partner Sridhar Parthasarathi commented, “Zebu is ideally placed to tap the $11 billion global counter-drone market. Their field-proven technologies are essential to India’s security landscape.”

Zebu is also investing heavily in in-house component manufacturing—including high-performance battery packs, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), and stabilised gimbals—to reduce foreign reliance. Its indigenous Ground Control Station (GCS) is currently being evaluated by the Coast Guard and is positioned as a next-gen command interface to rival foreign systems.

The company has filed seven patents, secured two trademarks, and is scaling its IP-driven commercial offerings. Beyond defence, Zebu is adapting military-grade components for industrial applications in logistics, inspection, and unmanned systems.

With its vertically integrated approach and commitment to indigenous innovation, Zebu is poised to become a global leader in unmanned platforms and subsystems.

Image source: orfonline

Zebu, an emerging Indian defence-tech startup focused on advanced counter-drone and unmanned systems, has raised $1 million in a pre-Series A round led by Bluehill VC. The investment will expedite the deployment of four mission-critical drones designed for the Indian armed forces, furthering the nation’s defence modernisation and self-reliance goals.Founded in 2021 by Dr Santosh Balajee Banisetty, Zebu has developed four cutting-edge drones:1. IAF Net Drone, a hostile drone neutraliser with a six-cartridge trap system2. Coast Guard Surface Drone for search and rescue missions3. Swarm-Enabled Combat Drone for coordinated aerial strikes4. Tethered Surveillance Drone for uninterrupted border monitoringThe company is now advancing field tests and preparing for production, with sights set on securing a further $5 million to scale integration and explore global markets. Zebu recently set a Guinness World Record for drone endurance and is actively working with the Indian Coast Guard and Army on system trials and certifications.Bluehill VC partner Sridhar Parthasarathi commented, “Zebu is ideally placed to tap the $11 billion global counter-drone market. Their field-proven technologies are essential to India’s security landscape.”Zebu is also investing heavily in in-house component manufacturing—including high-performance battery packs, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), and stabilised gimbals—to reduce foreign reliance. Its indigenous Ground Control Station (GCS) is currently being evaluated by the Coast Guard and is positioned as a next-gen command interface to rival foreign systems.The company has filed seven patents, secured two trademarks, and is scaling its IP-driven commercial offerings. Beyond defence, Zebu is adapting military-grade components for industrial applications in logistics, inspection, and unmanned systems.With its vertically integrated approach and commitment to indigenous innovation, Zebu is poised to become a global leader in unmanned platforms and subsystems.Image source: orfonline

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

CFI Appoints New National Council for FY27 and FY28

The Construction Federation of India (CFI) has announced its newly elected National Council and office bearers for a two-year term covering FY27 and FY28. M. V. Satish, Advisor to CMD and Lead Ambassador for Middle East, L&T, has been elected President; Priti Patel, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer, Tata Projects, has been appointed Vice President; and Ajit Bhate, Managing Director, Precast India Infrastructures, has taken charge as Treasurer.The newly formed National Council brings together senior leaders from major EPC and infrastructure companies, reflecting CFI’s continued focus o..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

India REIT Market Gains Momentum with Strong Returns

India’s Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) market is witnessing strong growth, emerging as a competitive investment avenue both domestically and across Asia. According to a recent ANAROCK report released at EXCELERATE 2026 by NAREDCO Maharashtra NextGen, the sector is evolving into a mature asset class driven by solid fundamentals, regulatory backing and rising investor confidence.The introduction of Small and Medium REITs (SM REITs) in 2025 has further widened access through fractional ownership, unlocking a potential monetisation opportunity of Rs 670–710 billion. Indian REITs have deli..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

G R Infraprojects Secures Rs 4,130 Million BESS Contract From NTPC

G R Infraprojects said it has secured a contract from NTPC to supply and implement a battery energy storage system (BESS) valued at Rs 4,130 million (mn). The company reported the order was awarded as part of NTPC's ongoing efforts to enhance grid flexibility and energy storage capacity. The contract represents a notable addition to the firm's project pipeline and underscores demand for utility scale storage solutions. The award is expected to strengthen G R Infraprojects' presence in the energy infrastructure sector and to contribute to the firm's order book and future revenues, subject to st..