Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Nabhdrishti Aerospace has raised INR 25.64 crore (USD 3 million) in a seed funding round led by Accel, with additional participation from IIMA Ventures and other existing investors. The funding marks a major milestone in the company’s mission to develop indigenous, sustainable propulsion and power generation systems tailored for India’s evolving aerospace ecosystem.
Nabhdrishti Aerospace Overview
Established in 2023 by aerospace veterans Rohit Chouhan, Arjun Srivatsa, and Antanu Sadhu, Nabhdrishti Aerospace is pioneering the development of fuel-flexible small gas turbines. These are designed to cater to a wide range of applications including:
- Hybrid Urban Air Mobility (UAM)
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
- Hybrid Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft
- Decentralized power generation appliances
- Light aircraft, helicopters, and hybrid electric flights
- Commercial sectors like hospitals, heavy vehicles, and manufacturing units
The founding team brings over five decades of combined experience from top aerospace organizations such as GTRE (DRDO), GE, and Rolls-Royce. They’ve contributed to major propulsion technologies including the Trent XWB engine powering the Airbus A350 and collectively hold over 55 US patents in turbine design.
Use of Funds
The newly raised capital will be channeled into the development and testing of three engine prototypes, with flight trials planned in partnership with UAV manufacturers. Nabhdrishti also intends to:
- Generate early revenues from pilot deployments
- Expand its team across engineering, production, and customer support by the end of 2025
- Scale operations to support a growing product line and customer base over the next few years
Management’s Vision
“India’s dependence on imported propulsion systems has long constrained our aerospace ambitions,” said Rohit Chouhan, Co-founder and CEO of Nabhdrishti Aerospace. “At Nabhdrishti, we are shifting that paradigm by building high-performance, sustainable engines that run on green fuels, including green hydrogen.”
The startup’s dual focus on propulsion and power generation is being positioned as a key differentiator in a global landscape seeking sustainable aviation alternatives.
Investor’s Vision
Accel partner Mahendran Balachandran highlighted the critical need for innovation in propulsion systems:
“Propulsion technology is one of the most complex and critical bottlenecks in aerospace innovation, especially in emerging markets like India. Nabhdrishti’s balanced strategy between commercial viability and long-term sustainability puts it in a strong position to transform not just aviation, but also adjacent industries.”
A Competitive and Growing Market
Nabhdrishti joins a rising group of Indian aerospace startups like Garuda Aerospace, Bellatrix Aerospace, and Agnikul, that are actively working on indigenous innovations. The sector has also seen recent moves from companies like Sarla Aviation, The ePlane Company, and LAT Aerospace, pointing to a broader momentum toward clean energy and aerial mobility solutions.
In April 2024, Nabhdrishti had earlier raised INR 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by IIMA Ventures.
Future Outlook
By 2032, Nabhdrishti aims to become India’s leading propulsion technology provider, with aspirations to rank among the top global players. With sustainability at its core, the startup is positioning itself at the forefront of India’s aerospace ambitions—building not just engines, but an entire ecosystem for indigenous propulsion innovation.
