Investment to Drive Localized Product Development, Manufacturing, and Rural Outreach
Marut Drones, a DGCA-certified drone technology company based in India, has secured $6.2 million in Series A funding from Lok Capital. With this fresh capital, Marut Drones plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities, develop new agricultural applications, and establish a stronger presence in rural communities across India.
Navigating India’s Drone Import Ban to Boost Domestic Innovation
In February 2022, India imposed a sweeping ban on importing drones, with limited exceptions for defense, security, and R&D purposes. Unlike the U.S. import restrictions on DJI drones, which focus on military use, India’s ban is comprehensive, impacting consumer drones and heavily affecting the domestic market. This shift aimed to limit the country’s reliance on Chinese-made drones.
With the ban in place, Marut Drones and other domestic manufacturers have gained a unique opportunity to lead in India’s growing drone market. The government’s decision has been portrayed as a way to bolster the Indian tech sector, create local jobs, and build self-sufficiency. This focus aligns with Marut Drones’ goal of creating drones specifically designed to meet local agricultural and industrial needs.
Hari Krishnan, Director of Lok Capital, expressed enthusiasm about the investment, stating, “We’re excited to partner with the team at Marut to bring solutions to farmers and the broader rural economy. Drones for agriculture are a novel technology that can secure the health of crops, while also saving water, preserving soil health, avoiding exposure to chemicals, increase yield to farmers and providing income to village-level entrepreneurs.”
Leveraging New Funding for Rural and Agricultural Innovation
Marut Drones aims to use this funding to support agricultural advancements and create rural job opportunities. Its strategy includes the development of drones specifically tailored to agricultural needs, expanding service centers in tier 2 and 3 cities, and launching 17 new drone training academies. These efforts will address a growing demand for trained drone professionals and increase access to Drone-as-a-Service for rural communities.
The funding will also boost Marut Drones’ manufacturing capabilities, with a target to produce up to 3,000 drones per year. This aligns with India’s goal of creating a strong domestic drone manufacturing base. CEO and Co-Founder Prem Kumar Vislawath commented on the impact of this funding, noting, “This significant investment reinforces Marut Drones’ commitment to empower Indian farmers and develop applications for aggregating drone-based services for institutions across sectors. The fresh capital will also allow us to make investments in building our team, increasing our manufacturing capacity to 3000 drones per annum, and marketing to continue scaling at a rapid pace to reach a revenue target of 1000 cr in the next five years.”
Expanding Partnerships and Building Local Manufacturing Capacity
Founded in 2019 by Prem Kumar Vislawath, Suraj Peddi, and Sai Kumar Chinthala, Marut Drones has focused on establishing a strong pan-India presence. The company’s AG365H, India’s first DGCA Type Certified medium-category multi-utility agricultural drone, demonstrates its commitment to innovation tailored for the Indian market. In addition to agriculture, Marut Drones is exploring applications in disaster management and security, reinforcing its broader mission to serve multiple sectors with reliable, locally manufactured drone solutions.
Marut Drones also seeks partnerships with agri-entrepreneurs, agricultural equipment companies, and retailers to enhance its market reach. By fostering these partnerships, Marut Drones aims to support rural entrepreneurship, providing new economic opportunities in regions impacted by the shift away from foreign drone suppliers.
About Marut Drones
Marut Drones, founded by IIT alumni, focuses on delivering drone solutions that address critical societal needs in agriculture and beyond. The company operates with over 200 team members, supporting a fleet of 750 drones and over 1,000 drone pilots across 14 states.
For more information, visit Marut Drones’ website.