insideFPV
Category: AI in Defense / Aerospace
Indian deep-tech startup building indigenous, combat-ready FPV, kamikaze, surveillance and interceptor drones for defence applications. insideFPV was founded in 2020. The company is led by Arth Chowdhary. Based in Surat, Gujarat, India. Team size: 11-50. Total funding raised: $1.81M. Latest round: Seed. Key investors include GVFL, Inflection Point Ventures, Firstport Capital, DLabs, Fossbytes, Mumbai Angels, Soonicorn Ventures.
- Founded
- 2020
- Headquarters
- Surat, Gujarat, India
- Team size
- 11-50
- Total funding
- $1.81M
Value proposition
Make-in-India tactical drone systems engineered for extreme battlefield conditions (tested at high altitude in Ladakh, operating down to -35°C), with rapid deployment, operator training and repair support.
Products and solutions
FPV drones, kamikaze drones, surveillance systems, interceptor drones, Elevate Z1 surveillance drone (60-min flight, thermal imaging, laser rangefinding), BIR V2 (design patented), drone lab setups and pilot training programs.
Unique value
Indigenous, plug-and-fly FPV drones that work in real combat conditions — validated by Indian Army deployments, Him Dron-a-thon win at Wari La Pass, and a ₹10 crore Ministry of Defence contract delivered in two months.
Target customer
Indian armed forces (Indian Army, Ministry of Defence), plus agriculture and consumer FPV drone markets.
Industries served
Defence & national security, agriculture, consumer drones, STEM education (drone labs).
Technology advantage
In-house drone engineering tested in extreme high-altitude/low-temperature environments; design patents (detachable battery frame, BIR V2); rapid manufacturing and deployment capability (100 drones to Army in 60 days).
How they differentiate
Focus on FPV/kamikaze combat drones for extreme high-altitude conditions with plug-and-fly ease, backed by direct Indian Army validation and rapid emergency-purchase delivery, versus larger incumbents focused on surveillance/agricultural drones.
Main competitors
ideaForge, Garuda Aerospace, Asteria Aerospace
Key partnerships
IIIT Surat (MoU for Drone Lab & research), Indian Army (Him Dron-a-thon winner, Trishakti Dron-A-Thon 2024, HIMTECH 2024), Ministry of Defence (₹10 crore contract).
Notable customers
Indian Army, Ministry of Defence
Major milestones
Founded 2020 after Galwan clash, won Him Dron-a-thon (Indian Army, Wari La Pass, Ladakh), Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024, Shark Tank India, ₹10 crore MoD contract delivered in 2 months, GVFL-led ₹6 crore Pre-Series A (Jan 2026), new Gurgaon office.
Growth metrics
Delivered 100 combat drones to Indian Army in 60 days; executed ₹10 crore Ministry of Defence contract in two months (April 2026); trained 300+ army personnel; 160 personnel trained in Ladakh.
Market positioning
Emerging indigenous defence drone manufacturer in India's growing Make-in-India defence ecosystem; ranked #9 among top drone startups in India; aims to become a global defence drone manufacturer in 3-5 years.
Geographic focus
India (defence procurement), with global expansion ambitions.
Patents and IP
Design Rights for Detachable Battery Frame for Drone with Cover; Design Patent for BIR V2 drone.
About Arth Chowdhary
Co-founder & CEO of insideFPV since 2020; B.Tech Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT); Seed Fund Program, Indian School of Business. Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2024; Shark Tank India; KBC appearance.
Latest news about insideFPV
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Official website: https://insidefpv.com