Zebu, an emerging Indian defence-tech startup focused on advanced counter-drone and unmanned systems, has raised $1 million in a pre-Series A round led by Bluehill VC. The investment will expedite the deployment of four mission-critical drones designed for the Indian armed forces, furthering the nation鈥檚 defence modernisation and self-reliance goals.
Founded in 2021 by Dr Santosh Balajee Banisetty, Zebu has developed four cutting-edge drones:
1. IAF Net Drone, a hostile drone neutraliser with a six-cartridge trap system
2. Coast Guard Surface Drone for search and rescue missions
3. Swarm-Enabled Combat Drone for coordinated aerial strikes
4. Tethered Surveillance Drone for uninterrupted border monitoring
The company is now advancing field tests and preparing for production, with sights set on securing a further $5 million to scale integration and explore global markets. Zebu recently set a Guinness World Record for drone endurance and is actively working with the Indian Coast Guard and Army on system trials and certifications.
Bluehill VC partner Sridhar Parthasarathi commented, 鈥淶ebu is ideally placed to tap the $11 billion global counter-drone market. Their field-proven technologies are essential to India鈥檚 security landscape.鈥�
Zebu is also investing heavily in in-house component manufacturing鈥攊ncluding high-performance battery packs, electronic speed controllers (ESCs), and stabilised gimbals鈥攖o reduce foreign reliance. Its indigenous Ground Control Station (GCS) is currently being evaluated by the Coast Guard and is positioned as a next-gen command interface to rival foreign systems.
The company has filed seven patents, secured two trademarks, and is scaling its IP-driven commercial offerings. Beyond defence, Zebu is adapting military-grade components for industrial applications in logistics, inspection, and unmanned systems.
With its vertically integrated approach and commitment to indigenous innovation, Zebu is poised to become a global leader in unmanned platforms and subsystems.
Image source: orfonline
