EndureAir Secures ₹25 Cr in Unmanned Aviation Funding Led by IAN Alpha Fund

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September 11, 2025

Noida-based EndureAir Systems, a pioneering Indian developer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has received ₹25 crore in a funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, alongside the IAN Angel Fund. The investment will accelerate the company’s advancements in deep-tech drone technology designed for both defense applications and commercial enterprise solutions, with a specific focus on next-generation high-altitude logistics and aerial robotics.

Indigenous Innovation Takes Flight

Established in 2018 by Dr. Abhishek, a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, and his former students Rama Krishna and Chirag Jain, EndureAir distinguishes itself from many drone companies by developing both the hardware and software in-house. This approach is underpinned by over 15 years of rotorcraft research and a robust intellectual property portfolio of 8 patents.

The company’s commitment to indigenous progress provides a notable advantage in creating robust and adaptable UAVs suited to India’s diverse terrain. EndureAir has quickly become a frontrunner in India’s rapidly growing UAV sector.

Deployed in Critical Missions

EndureAir’s UAV platforms are already in active service, demonstrating their operational capabilities. The Sabal series, a family of heavy-lift logistics drones capable of carrying payloads from 10 to 70 kilograms, has been inducted into the Indian Army’s Eastern Command and leverages high-altitude performance. The Vibhram long-endurance UAV successfully supported Telangana’s “Medicine from the Sky” initiative, delivering crucial vaccines to remote areas. Additionally, the Alakh nano-UAV series assisted in high-stakes rescue operations, including responses to the Chamoli cloudburst, the Silkyara Tunnel rescue, and the earthquake in Turkey.

EndureAir is also expanding its collaborative efforts, co-developing high-altitude logistics drones with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and collaborating with druk Holding & Investments group (DHI) in bhutan on pilot programs delivering supplies to isolated monasteries.

A vision for UAV Leadership

“We are dedicated to promoting enterprise adoption of UAV technology and developing strong, domestic systems capable of functioning in challenging environments,” stated Rama Krishna, Co-founder & CEO of EndureAir.”This funding will enable us to accelerate development and position India as a global leader in UAV innovation, serving both the Indian armed forces and transforming business logistics.”

Sarika Saxena,Managing Partner at IAN Alpha Fund,emphasized EndureAir’s potential,saying,”EndureAir embodies the very best of India’s deep-tech capabilities. They are translating cutting-edge research into powerful, indigenous solutions that address critical needs in defense, enterprise, and disaster response.”

EndureAir Systems: Key Facts

Category	Details
Founded	2018
Headquarters	Noida,Uttar Pradesh
Key Technologies	UAV Hardware & Software Development
Patents	8+
funding Received	₹25 crore (IAN Alpha Fund & IAN Angel Fund)

EndureAir’s trajectory from IIT Kanpur research project to a mission-driven enterprise highlights the growing strength of India’s deep-tech sector.The company’s UAVs are already proving vital in defense, logistics, surveillance, and disaster relief, and this new funding is expected to further solidify its position as a key innovator in the field.

The Growing Drone Industry in India

The Indian drone industry is experiencing substantial growth, driven by increasing demand for applications across agriculture, infrastructure inspection, logistics, and defense. Recent reports indicate that the Indian drone market is projected to reach a valuation of US$5.8 billion by 2026, presenting significant opportunities for domestic UAV manufacturers like EndureAir.

Did You Know? The Indian government has implemented policies to encourage domestic drone manufacturing and research, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions about EndureAir Systems

• What types of UAVs does EndureAir Systems develop?

  EndureAir develops a range of UAVs including heavy-lift logistics drones (Sabal), long-endurance drones (Vibhram), and nano-UAVs (alakh).

• What is the primary use of the Sabal drone?

  The Sabal drone is designed for heavy-lift logistics and has been inducted into the Indian Army’s Eastern Command for high-altitude operations.

• How does EndureAir differentiate itself from other drone manufacturers?

  EndureAir develops both the hardware and software in-house, backed by extensive research and a portfolio of patents.

• What is the funding being used for?

  The ₹25 crore funding will be used to strengthen deep-tech drone capabilities, expand into enterprise markets, and advance the development of new platforms.

• What is the importance of the Medicine from the Sky program?

  EndureAir’s Vibhram UAV played a crucial role in the “Medicine from the Sky” program, delivering vaccines to remote areas in Telangana.

• What role does BEL play in EndureAir’s development?

  EndureAir is co-developing high-altitude logistics drones with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).

• What is IAN Alpha Fund’s investment focus?

  IAN Alpha Fund invests in innovative startups across sectors like deep tech, healthtech, and cleantech.

What are your thoughts on the growing role of drones in disaster relief efforts? Do you believe increased investment in indigenous drone technology is vital for national security? Share your insights in the comments below!

How does EndureAir’s funding allocation prioritize its growth strategy, specifically regarding teh percentage dedicated to R&D versus manufacturing & scaling?

Funding Details & Investment Breakdown

EndureAir, a leading innovator in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, has successfully closed a ₹25 Crore (approximately $3 million USD) funding round. The investment was spearheaded by IAN Alpha Fund, wiht participation from other prominent angel investors. This significant injection of capital will fuel EndureAir’s expansion into key sectors leveraging drone technology, including precision agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and logistics.

Here’s a breakdown of the funding allocation:

Research & Development (R&D): 40% – Focused on enhancing existing UAV capabilities and developing next-generation drone solutions. This includes advancements in flight endurance, payload capacity, and autonomous navigation.

Manufacturing & Scaling: 30% – Expanding production capacity to meet growing demand for EndureAir’s products. This involves investing in advanced manufacturing equipment and streamlining supply chain logistics.

Sales & Marketing: 20% – Strengthening the company’s sales and marketing efforts to reach new customers and expand market share within the commercial drone landscape.

Team Expansion: 10% – Recruiting top talent in engineering, software development, and business development to support the company’s growth trajectory.

EndureAir’s Core Technology & Applications

EndureAir specializes in developing long endurance drones designed for a variety of industrial applications. Their core technology centers around hybrid propulsion systems, combining the benefits of electric and internal combustion engines to achieve extended flight times. this is a critical differentiator in the UAV market, where flight duration is often a limiting factor.

Key submission areas include:

Precision Agriculture: Utilizing drones equipped with multispectral sensors for crop health monitoring,yield prediction,and targeted fertilizer/pesticide application. This contributes to sustainable agriculture practices and increased efficiency.

Infrastructure Inspection: Deploying drones for visual and thermal inspections of critical infrastructure such as power lines, pipelines, and bridges.This reduces inspection costs and improves safety compared to customary methods.

Logistics & Delivery: Developing drone-based delivery solutions for last-mile delivery of goods,especially in remote or difficult-to-access areas. This addresses challenges in drone delivery services.

Surveillance & Security: Providing aerial surveillance solutions for security applications, including border patrol, perimeter security, and event monitoring.

IAN Alpha Fund’s Rationale for Investment

IAN Alpha Fund, known for its strategic investments in early-stage companies with high growth potential, identified EndureAir as a promising player in the rapidly evolving drone industry.

key factors influencing their investment decision:

Strong Technological Differentiation: EndureAir’s focus on long endurance drones addresses a critical market need.

Experienced Management Team: The company is led by a team of seasoned professionals with deep expertise in aerospace engineering and business management.

Scalable Business Model: EndureAir’s business model is designed for rapid scaling and expansion into new markets.

Large Addressable Market: The UAV market size is experiencing exponential growth, driven by increasing demand for drone-based solutions across various industries.

The Growing Indian Drone Ecosystem

This funding round underscores the growing maturity of the Indian drone ecosystem. Government initiatives such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and the liberalized drone rules are fostering innovation and attracting investment in the sector.

recent developments include:

Drone Acharya Aerial Innovations IPO: The accomplished IPO of Drone Acharya demonstrates investor confidence in the Indian drone market.

Increased Adoption of Drone Technology: Various state governments are actively promoting the use of drones for applications such as land surveying, disaster management, and agricultural monitoring.

Rise of Drone Startups: A burgeoning ecosystem of drone startups is emerging across India, developing innovative solutions for diverse applications.

Benefits of Long Endurance Drones

The development and deployment of long flight time drones offer significant advantages over traditional methods and shorter-duration UAVs:

Increased Coverage Area: Longer flight times allow drones to cover larger areas in a single mission, reducing the need for frequent battery changes or refueling.

Reduced Operational Costs: Fewer flights translate to lower operational costs, making drone-based solutions more economically viable.

Improved Data Quality: Extended flight durations enable the collection of more comprehensive and accurate data.

Enhanced Efficiency: Long endurance drones streamline workflows and improve overall efficiency in various applications.

Future Outlook for EndureAir

With this new funding, EndureAir is poised for significant growth and expansion. The company plans to:

Expand its product portfolio: Develop new drone models tailored to specific industry needs.

Strengthen its partnerships: Collaborate with leading companies in target industries to integrate its drone solutions into existing workflows.

Explore international markets: Expand its geographic reach beyond India.

* Invest in advanced technologies: Continue to innovate in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance drone autonomy and capabilities.