Venture Catalysts, India’s leading integrated incubator and accelerator platform, announced its leadership in a seed funding round for NxtQube, a pioneering drone infrastructure company. The investment round also saw participation from Pontaq VC (STPI NxtVentures), Ananta Bizcon LLP, Rushikesh Bhandari, and several other angel investors. This marks a significant milestone in NxtQube’s journey to revolutionize drone operations through advanced automation solutions.
Founded in April 2022, NxtQube is emerging as a key player in the drone industry, focusing on developing complementary automation solutions for drone manufacturers, service providers, and end-users. The company’s flagship product, a universal drone docking station, is set to transform the industry by addressing the need for on-field pilots in surveillance, monitoring, and logistics drone operations.
The universal drone docking station by NxtQube is a robotic enclosure designed to perform various pilot activities, including drone landing and take-off, flight monitoring, drone charging, and data extraction. With its modular design, the docking station can integrate with different drone categories from various manufacturers, making it a versatile solution for the industry, according to the company’s press release.
Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-founder, and Managing Director of Venture Catalysts, expressed confidence in NxtQube’s innovative approach, stating, “NxtQube’s innovative approach to drone infrastructure aligns perfectly with the rapidly evolving drone ecosystem. Their universal docking station has the potential to significantly reduce operational costs and increase efficiency in drone deployments. We believe NxtQube is well-positioned to become a global leader in drone infrastructure, catering to the growing demand for autonomous drone operations across various sectors. What particularly excites us is the scalability of their solution and its potential to revolutionize industries beyond just drone operations.”
NxtQube operates on a business model that combines capital expenditure for the docking stations with subscription and perpetual license options for the software. The company aims to cater to the 2 million drones operating in the defense and enterprise sectors across Asia Pacific, Europe, and the US, focusing on applications that require autonomy intervention.
Nikhil Rajput, Co-Founder & CEO of NxtQube, shared his excitement about the funding round, saying, “Our technology is designed to complement the existing drone ecosystem, providing a solution that enhances efficiency and autonomy. This seed round is a testament to the market’s recognition of the critical role infrastructure plays in scaling drone operations. With the support of Venture Catalysts and our other investors, we are poised to accelerate our product development and market expansion.”
