Garuda Aerospace, founded by Agnishwar Jayaprakash and backed by MS Dhoni, secures ₹100 crore in Series B funding at a ₹1,875 crore valuation. Discover how this capital infusion will expand manufacturing, fast‑track defense R&D, and cement India’s leadership in drone technology.
Founder Spotlight: Agnishwar Jayaprakash’s Vision
At just 33, Agnishwar Jayaprakash—a Harvard Business School alumnus and former international swimming champion—built Garuda Aerospace from the ground up in Chennai. His goal? Transform India into a global drone powerhouse by 2030. With early support from cricket legend MS Dhoni, Jayaprakash turned a small startup into India’s largest drone manufacturer, serving agriculture, surveying, and now defense sectors Wikipedia.
Series B Success: ₹100 Crore at a ₹1,875 Crore Valuation
- Round: Series B
- Amount Raised: ₹100 crore
- Valuation: ₹1,875 crore post‑money
- Lead Investor: Venture Catalysts (VCAT)
- Existing Backers: MS Dhoni, WaterBridge Ventures, Unicorn India Ventures
This round ranks among the largest in India’s drone industry, signaling strong investor conviction in Garuda’s Drone‑as‑a‑Service (DaaS) model Tech & Data for VC and Investment Banks.
Strategic Allocation of Funds
1. Manufacturing Scale‑Up
Jayaprakash will expand Garuda’s Chennai facility, adding automated assembly lines to boost output from hundreds to thousands of drones per quarter. This meets surging demand for crop‑spraying, mapping, and inspection services across India.
2. Defense R&D Centre
A new research hub will focus on defense‑grade UAVs—featuring longer endurance, encrypted comms, and advanced payloads. This aligns with India’s push for indigenously developed surveillance and reconnaissance drones.
3. IP & Prototyping Studio
Investments in in‑house design and patenting will protect innovations like multi‑spectral sensors and autonomous flight controls, giving Garuda a durable competitive edge.
MS Dhoni’s Continued Partnership
Since his initial investment in 2022, MS Dhoni has:
- Advised on leadership and operations
- Opened government and corporate doors via his network
- Elevated brand trust—critical for defense procurement
His active role reflects confidence in Jayaprakash’s leadership and the startup’s technology roadmap Fortune India.
India’s Drone Market: Growth & Regulation
- Market Forecast: ₹16,000 crore by 2026
- Key Segments: Agriculture, infrastructure inspection, logistics, defense
- Regulatory Boost: “Drone Rules 2021” streamlined approvals for commercial and export operations
Garuda’s success demonstrates how policy clarity, combined with deep‑tech execution, can unlock rapid scale for compliant startups.
StartupByDoc Takeaway
- Founder‑Driven Growth: Agnishwar Jayaprakash’s mix of strategic vision and technical rigor shows the power of domain expertise.
- Celebrity Credibility: MS Dhoni’s backing accelerates partnerships and public trust—key in regulated sectors.
- Focused R&D: Specializing in defense drones commands premium valuations and long‑term contracts.
- Vertical Integration: Owning manufacturing, design, and service delivery creates strong moats.
- Policy Alignment: Engaging proactively with regulators and leveraging reformist policies fuels expansion.
Garuda Aerospace’s Series B milestone is more than a funding headline—it’s a blueprint for Indian hardware startups aiming to lead in strategic, high‑growth sectors. Under Agnishwar Jayaprakash’s leadership, and with MS Dhoni’s endorsement, Garuda is set to redefine India’s drone capabilities on the world stage.
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