Chennai, July, 2025 — Zuppa Geo Navigation Technologies, a Chennai‑based deep‑tech startup focused on autonomous drone systems, has secured $1.5 million in a bridge funding round led by entrepreneur Rahul Dewan (founder of Srijan Technologies), along with participation from Ajay Gupta (Capital Foods) and the Mangwani Family Office.
Founded by aerospace engineers, Zuppa has built a high‑barrier drone intelligence platform featuring proprietary flight-control systems, vision-guided navigation, secure cyber‑physical stacks, and AI‑powered targeting. Its standout feature: the ability to operate independently of GPS or high‑bandwidth internet, making it optimized for complex, remote, and defence use‑cases .
Why It Matters
Zuppa is making a strategic play in the defence and dual‑use drone sector, establishing itself as one of the few fully indigenous players in a space traditionally dependent on foreign tech. The startup has already been active in post‑Operation Sindoor deployments, filling gaps in India’s drone capabilities. With a patent‑backed IP stack and partnerships with academic and government bodies, Zuppa is also shaping national drone policy and standards.
What They’ll Do with the Money
The latest fundraise will be channelled into deepening R&D, accelerating defence‑grade deployments, and strengthening operations in rural and mission‑critical environments. Already backed by Garuda Aerospace and MapmyIndia, Zuppa has previously raised about ₹10–12 crore, and this bridge round adds both capital and high‑impact entrepreneurial mentorship.
What’s Next
Zuppa is poised to scale its GPS‑free navigation stack, extend its AI targeting systems, and pursue further funding to expand its footprint across defence, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and disaster management.
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