Dronetech startup Zuppa raises $1.5 Mn in bridge round

Zuppa, a Chennai-based deep-tech startup focused on autonomous drone systems, has raised $1.5 million in a bridge funding round led by entrepreneur Rahul Dewan (founder of Srijan Technologies) with participation from Ajay Gupta (Capital Foods) and the Mangwani Family Office (ex-Aquapharm Chemicals). 

The round brings both capital and high-impact entrepreneurial backing to the company.

The new funds will be used to strengthen Zuppa’s R&D and deepen its presence in defence and dual-use drone technologies. 

Founded by aerospace engineers, Zuppa builds fully indigenous drone intelligence platforms including flight control systems, vision guidance, secure cyber-physical stacks, and AI-based targeting. These systems are designed to operate independently of GPS and high-bandwidth internet, enabling performance in complex and remote environments. 

The firm claims to have built a high-barrier entry position in the defence drone segment and is already involved in post-Operation Sindoor deployments where Indian drone tech was found lacking.

With deployments already underway and a patent-backed IP stack, Zuppa is also collaborating with academic institutions and government bodies to influence national drone policy and standards.