NEW DELHI / BENGALURU: Drone technology startup Airbound, one of India’s fastest-rising deeptech companies, is set to raise $30 million in fresh funding in a round led by prominent Silicon Valley investor Greenoaks Capital, with strong participation from existing backer Lightspeed, according to people familiar with the development.
This new infusion—Airbound’s second fundraise in just two months—underscores the rapid momentum behind the Bengaluru-based startup and reflects growing global investor confidence in India’s deeptech ecosystem.
A 20-Year-Old Founder Driving India’s Drone Ambitions
Airbound was founded in 2023 by 20-year-old Naman Pushp, who began building drones at just 15. Pushp’s early fascination with autonomous systems laid the foundation for Airbound’s current work in next-generation drone hardware, long-range autonomous flight systems, and specialised aerial robotics.
Despite his age, Pushp has already built a robust network of supporters in global tech and defence circles. Investors say his R&D-first approach—rare among consumer-focused Indian startups—has been key to Airbound’s appeal.
Back-to-Back Funding Amid Surge in Deeptech Bets
In October, the startup raised a seed round of $8.65 million, bringing prominent names on board including Lachy Groom, Lightspeed, and top executives from defence-tech and engineering giants such as Anduril, Tesla, and Ather Energy.
The quick turnaround to a significantly larger round signals a shift in venture capital behaviour: investors are aggressively backing deeptech and frontier-tech companies, particularly in robotics, aerospace, and defence-focused hardware.
With India ramping up its push for domestic innovation in strategic sectors, startups like Airbound are now seen as critical players in building future-ready capabilities—from surveillance to logistics to disaster response.
What the New Capital Will Power
According to industry sources, the upcoming $30 million round will be used to:
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Accelerate R&D on advanced drone platforms
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Scale manufacturing of high-end UAV systems
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Expand hiring across engineering, avionics, and AI systems
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Deepen partnerships in defence, logistics, and industrial automation
Airbound is also exploring collaborations with major healthcare and logistics networks after piloting medical-grade drone delivery routes earlier this year.
A New Chapter for India’s Drone Sector
The company’s rapid rise mirrors a broader shift in India’s startup landscape, where hardware-led, IP-heavy, and deeptech-first companies are finally attracting sustained global capital. With the government easing drone regulations and pushing for indigenous capabilities, the sector is gaining unprecedented momentum.
If the deal closes as expected, Airbound will become one of the best-funded drone startups in India, solidifying its position at the forefront of the country’s aerospace innovation wave.
The funding round is expected to be formally announced in the coming weeks.
