Zebu, a next-generation defence-tech startup pioneering advanced counter-drone and unmanned systems for the armed forces, has raised $1 million in a pre-Series A round led by Bluehill VC. The funds will accelerate the development of four of Zebu's mission-critical drones from prototype to battlefield deployment, supporting India's defence modernisation and strengthening indigenous military capabilities.
Zebu has developed four products for the Indian armed forces, including:
- A hostile drone-neutralising IAF Net Drone with a revolutionary six-cartridge system
- A sea surface combat and rescue drone for the Indian Coast Guard
- A swarm-enabled offensive combat drone for the IAF
- A tethered surveillance drone for Army border patrol
With the current funding, Zebu will advance field testing of these systems and move them towards production readiness, aiming to become a key supplier to the Indian armed forces. The company is already preparing for its next funding round of $5 million, focused on full integration into defence operations and expansion into international markets.
Sridhar Parthasarathi, General Partner at Bluehill VC, said: "The global counter-drone market is expected to reach $11 billion by 2030. Zebu is well-positioned to capture this opportunity with its top-of-the-line offerings for the armed forces. Its drones have completed rigorous testing and are ready for deployment. Given the sensitive borders we share with neighbouring countries, this technology should be developed in India by Indian companies. These advancements strengthen our national defence and empower our armed forces on land, at sea, and in the air."
Founded in 2021 by Santosh Balajee Banisetty, a visionary PhD in Intelligent Systems and Robotics, Zebu is a pioneering defence-tech company developing mission-ready counter-drone systems for global armed forces.
The company has achieved significant breakthroughs across four combat-ready unmanned systems, bringing them close to battlefield deployment. Notably, Zebu set a Guinness World Record in 2024 for the longest drone endurance in the under-5kg category, underscoring its leadership in UAV innovation.
Over the past six months, the IAF Net Capture Drone – a sky sentinel capable of trapping hostile drones mid-air like a futuristic spiderweb – has progressed from skeletal prototype to radar integration and is nearing military-grade certification. Zebu is also in advanced discussions with a leading defence manufacturer to supply its drones.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) search and rescue drone has excelled in extreme tests, including thermal resilience, waterproofing, and propulsion failure simulations. Its AI-powered "return-to-base" autonomy is currently being tested on actual coast guard ships, with manufacturing preparations underway to fulfil commercial orders.
Zebu is also building an anti-drone swarm system for the Air Force, equipped with rapid-fire pneumatic launchers and slated for operational readiness by late 2025. It is designed to overwhelm enemy drones through coordinated strikes.
Meanwhile, the Army's 24x7 tethered surveillance drone—its eye in the sky—is set for mass deployment by mid-2025, providing uninterrupted border monitoring and has already received approval from multiple regiments.
Santosh Balajee, Founder and CEO of Zebu, said:"The battlefield of the future will be AI-led and unmanned—this is inevitable. Zebu is ensuring that this transformation is indigenously driven. We're not just exporting counter-drone technology; we are exporting India's defence sovereignty. There is a vast gap in defence tech integration, and homegrown brands like Zebu ensure that India's defence modernisation is not held hostage by foreign powers or inflated costs. This is Aatmanirbhar Bharat in action: sovereign technology, affordable excellence. Our aim is to accelerate growth, expand our global footprint, and shape the next generation of unmanned defence systems."
With seven patents filed, two trademarks secured, and additional proprietary IP under development, Zebu is on course to become a trusted DefTech supplier for the armed forces. It recently secured its first commercial win with a custom high-performance battery pack for nano drones—signalling strong market demand for its indigenous technologies.
Zebu plans to manufacture most components in-house, ensuring full control and autonomy over its supply chain. Its all-Indian Ground Control Station (GCS)—a next-generation "mission brain" enabling commanders to manage entire drone fleets from a unified interface—is currently undergoing testing with the Indian Coast Guard and is poised to replace costly foreign alternatives.
The company is also rapidly indigenising key components by building electronic speed controllers (ESCs) and military-grade stabilised camera gimbals in-house, eliminating foreign dependencies and mitigating supply chain risks.
Each made-in-India Zebu component is one less arrow in the US-China defence supply quiver.
Beyond government contracts, Zebu is actively expanding into commercial markets by adapting its military-grade technology for enterprise use. Its custom drone battery packs represent the first wave of subsystem commercialisation, with advanced gimbals and ESCs being repurposed for industrial inspection, logistics, and unmanned operations. Zebu's proprietary GCS is also attracting significant interest from private OEMs across India, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
Zebu's strategic focus on building a robust IP portfolio ensures compliance with national security requirements while meeting global commercial standards. With multiple products nearing production readiness, strong early revenue traction, and growing IP assets, Zebu is poised to become India's most vertically integrated counter-drone and unmanned systems company.
This year's roadmap positions Zebu not just as a defence technology supplier but as a full-spectrum provider of unmanned platforms and critical subsystems for military and commercial markets worldwide.
The company is also looking to onboard senior leaders, including a Chief Business Officer and experienced defence advisors, to support its growth and strategic direction.
