D-Propulse Aerospace Raises INR 25 Cr from IAN Alpha Fund

D-Propulse Aerospace, a deeptech aerospace startup has raised INR 25 Cr (about $2.7 Mn) from IAN Alpha Fund. 

The startup will use the new funding to hire engineers, expand computing and simulation capabilities, and build limited testing infrastructure. It is also developing flight-ready propulsion systems and has started initial talks with the Indian military.

IAN Alpha Fund said it invested in D-Propulse because aerospace propulsion systems are often expensive and complex, limiting scalability. The fund believes that simpler, more efficient propulsion technology can help India develop high-speed defence platforms at lower costs.

Read also- Cleantech Startup ScrapUncle Raises INR 22 Cr led by Orios Venture Partners and Acumen

Saurav Jha, Founder & CEO, D-propulse Aerospace, said, “We have entered an era where speed is the new stealth. Defence budgets across the major power centres of the world are pivoting in recognition of this new reality. Our vision is to ensure that India is fully equipped to not merely navigate but potentially dominate this emerging era of high-supersonic and hypersonic systems and platforms. Towards that end, we are progressing indigenous air-breathing rotating detonation engine technology and also building bespoke systems around it. Our plans are not limited to developing RDE-powered effectors but extend to the creation of high-supersonic drones as well.”

Rajnish Kapur, Managing Partner, IAN Alpha Fund, said, “Propulsion is the hardest and most capital-intensive problem in high-speed aerospace systems, and it has historically been the limiting factor for scale. What excites us, at IAN, about D-Propulse is not just the choice of Rotating Detonation technology, but the way it fundamentally changes system economics, simpler engines, higher efficiency, and dramatically lower costs. Affordability is the real unlock if India is to move from a few exquisite platforms to true scale. We see D-Propulse’s team that understands both the physics and the strategic context, and are delighted to back them as a long-term partner in building this for India.”

About D-Propulse

Founded in last year by Saurav Jha and Ramanujachari V, D-Propulse is developing rotating detonation engine (RDE) technology, a propulsion system for high-speed platforms like missiles and drones.

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Unlike traditional jet engines, RDE systems have no moving parts, making them simpler to build and easier to scale. The startup says its technology can deliver higher efficiency, reduce system size, and lower costs, enabling more defence platforms to be produced in larger numbers.

The founding team includes former DRDO scientists and researchers from IIT Madras, with former DRDO chairman and NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Saraswat serving as the company’s chief mentor.

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