Here Is A List of Top 7 Defence Tech Startups In India

What Are Top Tech Startups In India?

Along with the rapid development of the Indian startup ecosystem in many diverse sectors such as fintech, AI, or eCommerce, the tech startups in the country have put more attention to the defence sector. Back to a few years ago, this special sector was mainly an exclusive playground of large-cap firms. However, within the recent ten years, small-cap startups have started joining hands when the Startup Revolution hit India.

The purpose of the Indian tech startups is not only for the defence sector but also the development of modern gadgets and technologies in a bid to compete with other countries in the world. As a piece of evidence, the National Security Guard (NSG), an Indian Special Forces unit under the leadership of Ministry of Home Affairs, planned to leverage some smart arms and gadgets which have been in use by Special Forces in the whole world, as well as SWAT teams to tackle hostage situations and terror attacks.

Here are the top 7 defence tech startups in India. How many do you know? Take a quick look at the following list!

1. Tonbo Imaging (Bengaluru)

Founders: Arvind Lakshmikumar & Ankit Kumar

Tonbo Imaging, also known as a spin-off of Sarnoff Corporation and Stanford Research International, focuses on developing a series of modernization technologies, along with strategic electronics and surveillance equipment for applications in the military field. This tech startup also participates in many programs relating to aerospace and defence.

The major duties of Tonbo Imaging include designing, setting up, and deploying ultramodern sensor and imaging systems that are capable of sensing, comprehending, and controlling complicated environments. It also provides a lot of solutions to meet market demands in infrastructure security, transportation safety, and, of course, military reconnaissance. Its products range from intellectual properties, complex imaging products,  as well as design applications which gain the license from systems integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEM).

2. CRON Systems (New Delhi)

Founder: Tushar Chhabra, Tommy Katzenellenbogen, and Saurav Agarwala

The second name in the list of defence-based tech startups is CRON Systems that specializes in developing advanced systems to detect illegal intrusion. The company’s products are designed based on the most modern IoT technologies, and more importantly, are supplied at more affordable prices than many other top products from other manufacturers.

CRON Systems aims to deploy state-of-the-art solutions to enhance border security. Two of its prominent customers are the Indian Army and the Border Security Force. These forces have bought its tech products to set up sensitive installations such as airports or army camps, as well as to ensure the security for the international borders. In addition, the company’s solutions are also applied in commercial markets.

3. ideaForge (Mumbai)

Founders: Rahul Singh, Ankit Mehta, and Ashish Bhat

All of the three founders of ideaForge come from the IIT. The tech startup company provides lots of services to the Defence Research and Development Organization or DRDO, along with security forces and paramilitary. The list of their return customers includes Delhi Police, National Disaster Response Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and National Security Guard.

One of the most flagship products of ideaForge is NETRA. It is a combination between this company and DRDO under the Ministry of Defense in India. NETRA is a kind of automatic aerial vehicle that can take off from any clearing and cross over the 400-meter tall area. You may be surprised to know that this vehicle can send a live video recording every movement of people on the ground, as well as vehicles and any other movement while they are unaware of its existence.

4. Aadyah Aerospace (Bengaluru)

Founders: V Sunderarajan, Shaju Stephen, Pradeep Kumar, Varun Kurup, Amarnath Reddy, and Sabu Joseph

In Sanskrit, the word ‘AADYAH’ means the ‘first power’ or ‘original’ – the origin of the five senses or elements. As the company’s name suggests, Aadyah Aerospace has made great efforts on gaining significant achievements in some important fields such as defense and space engineering, technology solutions, and aeronautics.

The company officially came into operation in 2016 and until now, it is still focusing on manufacturing and developing electromechanical actuators, controlling electro-optics systems of launch vehicles and missiles, as well as manipulating actuation systems. All of its products are in compliance with the Defence Procurement Policy 2016 issued by the Indian Ministry of Defence. Aadyah Aerospace also operates a centre that specializes in designing, engineering, integrating, testing and developing key defense and aerospace systems.

5. CM Environsystems (Bengaluru)

Founders: Dr. Jacob Crasta

CM Environsystems from Bengaluru has been one of the most powerful manufacturers of Environmental Test Chambers all over the world. For many years, the company has asserted its reputation in producing Environmental Test Chambers with high quality and offering lots of effective testing solutions to Defense, Aerospace, Electrical, Automobile, and Electronics industries.

In a bid to test the quality of equipment, especially in many famous projects such as AGNI, CM Environsystems has built up test chambers with high customization. In addition, its chambers are also a good option for the defense forces to test many kinds of weapons under strict conditions of Thar and Siachen.

6. VizExperts (New Delhi)

Founders: PraveenBhaniramka

The sixth name in the list of defence tech startups in India is a company from New Delhi called VizExperts. It is working on the visual computing sector and focusing on providing complicated turnkey solutions to simplify data and help different organizations to make more precise and rapid decisions.

Back to five years ago, in 2014, the Indian Army leveraged the ‘digital sand model’ (DSM) by VizExperts – advanced technology is referred to as a revolutionary solution that specializes in briefing and training missions, as well as planning operations for the armed forces, the Indian paramilitary, and police.

Another prominent service by this tech startup is GEORBIS that has been in service in the Indian Army. The 3D geospatial platform is designed to help the Army plan operations in real-time, as well as make faster decisions. GEORBIS also comes with many different interaction devices, terrain data, and software.

7. TimeTooth Technologies (Noida)

Founders: Girish Mudgal, Sudhakar Medepalli, and Amitav Chaudhuri

The last position in the top defence-based tech startups in India belongs to TimeTooth Technology in Noida. This company aims to develop new products in a bid to improve functional performance. It is now manufacturing landing gears for Rustom II – a made-in-India unmanned aerial vehicle.

All of the 30 members of TimeTooth Technologies are working on designing, developing, and manufacturing landing gears. The defence forces in India use this drone with the company’s landing gears to conduct surveillance from above.