SUIND Bags ₹20.5 Cr To Build Autonomous Surveillance Drones

Drone tech startup SUIND has raised ₹20.5 Cr (around $2.1 Mn) in a seed funding round led by Transition VC. The round also saw participation from IIMA Ventures.

The startup plans to use the fresh capital to scale the commercial deployment of its agri-drone platform, accelerate the development of its infrastructure inspection drone, strengthen its proprietary autonomous technology and bolster its engineering capabilities.

Founded in 2020 by Kunal Shrivastava and Kevin Kleber, SUIND develops autonomous unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that use computer vision instead of relying primarily on GPS for navigation. Its proprietary vision-first autonomy platform enables drones to perceive their surroundings and operate in low-altitude, near-terrain and GPS-denied environments where conventional drones often struggle.

The startup claims to have already commercially deployed its DGCA-certified autonomous spraying drone, called Bumblebee, across plantations and farms. According to the company, the platform improves spraying consistency while reducing chemical consumption, operating costs and workers’ exposure to agrochemicals.

Building on this technology, SUIND is also developing WASP, an autonomous aerial platform designed for industrial monitoring, security, surveillance and defence applications. The company said it plans to use its proprietary vision-based autonomy stack to enable WASP to operate in complex environments.

“Our goal is not simply to manufacture more drones, but to build the intelligence that allows aerial robots to perform complex, repetitive and hazardous work with greater safety, consistency and minimal human dependence,” cofounder and CEO Kunal Shrivastava said in a statement.

Over the next 12 to 24 months, SUIND plans to scale the manufacturing and commercial deployment of Bumblebee, while accelerating the market readiness of WASP. India will remain its primary market and engineering hub, alongside selective expansion into international markets.

The latest round comes nearly three years after SUIND raised ₹5 Cr in a seed round led by SunICON Ventures, which also saw participation from Zetta Farms and a group of angel investors.

The funding comes amid rising investor interest in the Indian drone tech ecosystem. Earlier this month, listed drone maker ideaForge raised ₹500 Cr through a qualified institutional placement (QIP) to strengthen its working capital and fund its next phase of growth

In May, drone startup EndureAir received ₹30 Cr in grant support under the Centre’s RDIF scheme to develop its 200 kg heavy-payload drone. 

Defence tech startup IG Defence also raised around $5 Mn in its Pre-Series A round from India Accelerator and others in March this year. In the same month, Inc42 reported that drone delivery startup Skye Air Mobility was raising $9 Mn in its Series B round led by IAN Alpha Fund.

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