Deep-tech startup AquaAirX raises Rs 12.5 Cr in seed round led by Rainmatter

Deep-tech startup AquaAirX has raised Rs 12.5 crore in a seed funding round led by Rainmatter, the investment arm of Zerodha, founded by Nithin Kamath. The round also saw participation from Prime Venture Partners, Wyser, and India Accelerator.

The proceeds will be used to strengthen the company’s core technology, including system autonomy, air-to-water transition reliability, sensing and communication capabilities, and to expand its engineering and research teams across robotics, autonomy, controls, and embedded systems, AquaAirX said in a press release.

Co-founded in 2024 by Jitendra Kumar Purnmal Saini and Gouthami T S, AquaAirX is a deep-tech startup building next-generation autonomous amphibious and underwater robotic systems for defence and high-value commercial applications. The company develops amphibious drones capable of seamless transitions between aerial flight and submerged operations, along with a proprietary Hovering Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HAUV) platform.

In addition to its amphibious drone platform, AquaAirX is developing the HAUV for precise underwater inspection, monitoring, and intervention, targeting defence and high-value commercial use cases.

According to the Bengaluru-based startup, it combines advanced autonomy, robotics, and mission-centric design to address critical gaps in maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, enabling safer, faster, and more cost-effective operations. The company works closely with defence and strategic partners and aligns with India’s vision for indigenous, future-ready defence technologies.

Looking ahead, AquaAirX plans to deepen collaborations with Indian and international defence partners, scale up large-scale trials, and prepare for manufacturing, with the goal of entering defence and commercial markets by 2027. Over the past 12 months, the company has achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 for its flagship amphibious platform.