Hyderabad-based drone technology firm Marut Drones has successfully raised $6.2 million in Series A funding from investment firm Lok Capital. The company, which specializes in innovative drone solutions for the agriculture sector, plans to utilize the funding to develop advanced agricultural drones, expand its channel partner network and service centers in Tier II and III cities, and establish drone agriculture service hubs for Drone-as-a-Service through various partnerships.
Marut Drones, founded in 2019 by IIT alumni Prem Kumar Vislawath, Suraj Peddi, and Sai Kumar Chinthala, aims to transform the agricultural landscape with technology-driven solutions that address farmers’ needs. The startup is committed to creating employment opportunities in rural areas, boosting agricultural productivity, and reducing input costs for farmers.
“We are excited to partner with the team at Marut to bring solutions to farmers and the broader rural economy,” said Hari Krishnan, Director of Lok Capital. “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,” he added.
The fresh capital will also help Marut Drones invest in team expansion, increase manufacturing capacity to 3,000 drones per year, and enhance its marketing efforts, according to the company’s Co-founder and CEO, Prem Kumar Vislawath. Marut Drones currently boasts a team of over 200 members, a fleet of 750 drones, and over 1,000 drone pilots across 14 Indian states. The company is actively recruiting across all verticals and aims to foster drone entrepreneurship in rural India.
To further strengthen its footprint in the industry, Marut Drones plans to launch 17 new drone academies to train skilled professionals. Additionally, the company is intensifying research and development in collaboration with leading institutions across India to create advanced applications, including direct seeding and crop monitoring.
Last month, Marut introduced its latest product, the AG365H—a DGCA Type Certified medium-category agricultural drone. The AG365H is designed for multiple purposes, such as fish feeding, broadcasting fertilizer granules, spraying pesticides, and training drone operators. Marut is also exploring the potential of drones in disaster management and surveillance, positioning itself as a comprehensive provider in the drone technology sector. The company has set an ambitious revenue target of Rs. 1,000 crore within the next five years.
According to a report by NITI Aayog, drone startups in India secured $50 million in funding in FY24, showing a threefold increase from the previous year. The Indian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market is projected to reach $15 billion by 2030. Market research firm Markets and Markets estimates that drone volumes in India will surge from 10,803 units in 2024 to 61,393 units by 2029, reflecting the sector’s substantial growth potential.
