DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations, a BSE SME-listed company, has signed a term sheet to merge with AVPL International, the operator of AITMC Ventures. This strategic partnership seeks to redefine India’s drone sector, blending the strengths of both companies to deliver industry-specific solutions across agriculture, defence, logistics, and space tech.
DroneAcharya and AVPL Merger – A Transformative Collaboration
DroneAcharya called the merger a “transformative step” in a recent announcement, underscoring its potential to revolutionize the drone ecosystem. The collaboration is expected to bring expertise in hardware, software, automation, and skill development under one roof.
Prateek Srivastava, Founder and MD of DroneAcharya, described the merger as a “force multiplier,” emphasizing its potential to set new benchmarks globally. Preet Sandhuu, Founder and MD of AITMC Ventures, shared similar optimism, calling it a milestone toward building a dominant presence in drone technology. Discussions began in December 2024, with the merger expected to conclude within eight months, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
Operational Synergies
Post-merger, the companies will merge key functions like finance, legal, and compliance while maintaining their brand identities. The combined entity, tentatively named “AVPL DroneAcharya,” will focus on developing cutting-edge solutions, including robotics, IoT integration, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), and GIS expertise.
AVPL’s extensive infrastructure spans 12 Indian states, managing 50 Global Incubation and Skill Hubs (GISH) and 20 World Incubation and Skill Hubs (WISH), with an emphasis on agriculture and drones. DroneAcharya, renowned for its R&D and operations expertise, recently secured a contract with the Indian Army for drone training, valued at INR 7.53 lakh.
Financial Snapshot
DroneAcharya went public in December 2022 with a strong debut on the BSE SME platform. However, the company reported a 62.1% profit decline to INR 1.50 crore in H1 FY25, attributed to election-related disruptions, even as revenue rose 28.8% to INR 26.90 crore. Srivastava remains optimistic about Q4 FY25, citing promising projects in the pipeline.
AITMC Ventures, meanwhile, recorded a 95.2% surge in operating revenue to INR 41.87 crore in FY24, with profits up 82.6% to INR 8.84 crore. The company’s plans for an IPO on NSE Emerge have been paused as it focuses on the merger. A mainboard listing for the merged entity is anticipated within eight months post-merger.
Strategic Growth
Both companies have been pursuing aggressive expansion. DroneAcharya recently entered the Middle East market and partnered with Canada’s Volatus for advanced drone solutions. It also introduced an Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) to align employee interests with organizational goals.
AITMC Ventures continues to expand its presence in the agri-drone space, leveraging its skill hubs and training programs. The merger is expected to further strengthen its capabilities by incorporating DroneAcharya’s technology-driven expertise.
The Road Ahead
The merger between DroneAcharya and AVPL is a bold step toward creating an integrated ecosystem for drone innovation. By combining robust infrastructure with technological advancement, the collaboration aims to set new standards in drone technology, training, and services.
As the Indian drone industry evolves, this partnership could position the new entity as a global leader, offering cutting-edge solutions to domestic and international markets. The journey ahead promises significant milestones for Indian innovation in unmanned aerial systems.
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