Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup AquaAirX has raised ₹12.5 crore in a seed round led by Rainmatter, the investment arm backed by Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath, with participation from several strategic investors. The capital injection underlines investor confidence in the company’s work on autonomous air‑to‑water systems and reflects growing interest in defence and maritime deep‑tech in India.
Amphibious and Underwater Robotics for Multi‑Domain Missions
Founded in 2024, AquaAirX develops robotic platforms that operate across aerial and underwater domains. Its core products include amphibious drones capable of transitioning autonomously between flight and submerged operation, and a hovering autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) designed for deep‑water inspection, monitoring and intervention.
These platforms integrate autonomy algorithms, sensor fusion, advanced communication and control systems to handle challenging, unpredictable environments where human access is limited or hazardous. Potential applications span defence, maritime surveillance, offshore infrastructure monitoring, search and rescue, and environmental data collection.
Use of Funds and Product Roadmap
The ₹12.5 crore will be deployed primarily to accelerate product development and scale engineering capabilities. AquaAirX plans targeted investments in autonomy stack refinement, sensor integration, communication resilience and control mechanisms to ensure reliable air‑to‑water transitions and mission readiness.
A substantial portion of the funding will support hiring across robotics, embedded systems, artificial intelligence and systems engineering, alongside expanded testing, validation and performance optimisation to meet mission‑critical standards and regulatory requirements.
Indigenous Deep‑Tech Ambitions
The founders position AquaAirX as part of a broader push for indigenous design and engineering in areas traditionally led by international firms. They aim to build mission‑ready autonomous systems that can be deployed at scale in India and exported to global markets.
According to the team, the company has reached meaningful technology readiness milestones and is preparing for real‑world pilot deployments that will demonstrate operational capability in relevant maritime and defence settings.
Implications for India’s Defence and Deep‑Tech Ecosystem
The seed round highlights increasing investor appetite in India for startups focused on robotics, autonomy and defence‑oriented solutions. Backing from Rainmatter and other strategic investors positions AquaAirX to advance its development roadmap and contribute to the maturation of India’s maritime and defence technology ecosystem.
As global demand for advanced unmanned systems grows, AquaAirX’s progress reflects a wider trend of engineering‑driven startups emerging from India to address complex, high‑impact challenges.
