Zebu, a next-generation defense-tech startup that is developing superior counter-drone and unmanned systems for the armed forces, has secured $1 million in a pre-series A investment headed by Bluehill VC.
The fund will be used to accelerate the development of four Zebu mission-critical drones from prototype to battlefield deployment, thereby aiding India’s defense modernization and enhancing indigenous military capabilities.
With the current funding, Zebu will speed advanced field testing of these systems to production readiness, with the goal of becoming a key supplier to the Indian armed services. The company is now preparing for the next $5 million investment round for integration with the armed forces and global market expansion.
Zebu has developed 4 products for the Indian armed forces. This includes:
- Hostile drone neutralizing IAF Net Drone with a revolutionary six cartridge system
- Sea surface combat and rescue Indian Coast Guard Drone
- Swarm enabled offensive IAF Combat Drone
- Tethered Surveillance Drone for the Army border patrol
Zebu is a pioneering defense-tech startup founded in 2021 by Santosh Balajee Banisetty, a visionary Ph.D. in Intelligent systems and Robotics. It develops mission-ready counter drone systems for armed forces around the world.
Breakthroughs in Four Combat-Ready Unmanned Systems
Zebu has made significant breakthroughs in four combat-ready unmanned systems, putting them closer to battlefield deployment.
Highlights include establishing a Guinness World Record in 2024 for the longest drone endurance under 5kg, demonstrating Zebu’s leadership in UAV innovation.
In the previous six months, the IAF Net Capture Drone, a sky-sentinel capable of trapping hostile drones mid-air like a future spiderweb, has progressed from a skeletal model to radar integration and military-grade certification. The company is also in advanced talks with a leading defense manufacturer about supplying its drones.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Drone search and rescue drone has passed rigorous tests, including heat resilience, water resistance, and motor failure simulations. Its AI-powered “return-to-base” autonomy is already being tested on actual coast guard ships, while manufacturing facilities prepare for commercial orders.
The company is developing an Anti-Drone Swarm System for the Air Force, complete with rapid-fire pneumatic launchers and scheduled for operational readiness in late 2025. It is intended to overwhelm opposing drones through coordinated strikes.
The Army’s 24×7 Eye in the Sky, the Tethered Surveillance Drone, could be widely deployed by mid-2025, enabling continuous border monitoring, and has already been accepted by many regiments.
Zebu is well on its way to becoming a trusted DefTech supplier to the armed forces, with seven patents submitted, two trademarks obtained, and further intellectual IP under active development.
Unique High-Performance Battery Pack for Nano Drones
The company just announced its first commercial success with a unique high-performance battery pack for nano drones, indicating immediate market traction for its indigenous technology. Zebu intends to produce most components in-house, ensuring complete control and autonomy over the supply chain.
Zebu’s all-Indian Ground Control Station (GCS), a next-generation “mission brain” that allows commanders to control entire drone fleets from a single, unified interface, is currently being tested with the Indian Coast Guard. The GCS is expected to replace expensive and cumbersome foreign alternatives.
The company is also rapidly indigenizing crucial components, including as Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) and military-grade stabilized camera gimbals, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and supply chain risks.
Each Zebu component manufactured in India is one less arrow in the US-China defense supply quiver.
Expanding into Commercial Industries
Beyond government contracts, Zebu is rapidly expanding into commercial industries by adopting military-grade technology for enterprise applications. Its custom drone battery packs represent the first wave of subsystem commercialization, while improved camera gimbals and electronic speed controllers are being repurposed for industrial inspection, logistics, and unmanned operations.
Meanwhile, Zebu’s patented Ground Control Station (GCS) is generating significant attention from commercial OEMs in India, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
Zebu’s strategy focus on developing a strong intellectual property portfolio assures that company can meet both national security requirements and global commerce expectations.
Vertically Integrated Counter-Drone
Zebu is on track to become India’s largest vertically integrated counter-drone and autonomous systems company, with various products in production, early financial traction, and a rapidly developing intellectual property portfolio.
This year’s roadmap positions Zebu not just as a defense technology supplier, but also as a full-service provider of unmanned platforms and crucial subsystems to both military and commercial industries around the world.
The company is also looking to hire important leaders in the organization, including a CBO and defense advisors.
Leadership Comments
Sridhar Parthasarathi, General Partner, Bluehill.VC, says, “The global counter drone market is expected to reach $11 billion by 2030. Zebu is rightly positioned to capture this market with its top of the line offerings for the armed forces. Its drones have completed extreme tests and are now ready for deployment. We believe given the sensitive border that we share with our neighbours on both sides, such tech should be developed in India by an Indian company and such advancements will put India in a strong position when it comes to defending our borders and further empower our armed forces on the land, in the sky and oceans.”
Santosh Balajee, Founder CEO, Zebu, says, “The battlefield of the future is AI-led and unmanned, that is inevitable — Zebu is making it indigenously available. It’s not just exporting counter drone technology but exporting India’s defense sovereignty to the world stage. There is a massive opportunity to fill the vast gap that exists in integration of tech in our defense sector.”
“Global arms markets restrict their defense sales to India, having homegrown brands like Zebu ensures India’s defense modernisation isn’t held hostage by foreign powers or inflated costs. This is Aatmanirbhar Bharat in action: sovereign technology, affordable excellence. It is our aim to accelerate Zebu’s growth, expand our global footprint, and play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of unmanned defense systems, added Santosh.“
