Tsalla Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based deeptech startup, has raised $1 million in its first external funding round led by Sunny Stalnaker, Executive Vice President of ASML, the Dutch chipmaker.
The funding round also received support from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and equity-free grants from the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme.
The funds raised will be used to expand its autonomous systems platform and scale deployments for defence and industrial applications. The funds will also bolster its operational capabilities, accelerate its product development roadmap, enhance research and development initiatives, expand its manufacturing infrastructure, strengthen its market presence and scale operations.
Founded in 2019 and incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Tsalla Aerospace develops an AI-based autonomy stack for drones and unmanned systems. Its AI Pilot allows these platforms to operate without GPS or communication support, aiming for fully autonomous, zero-operator functioning.
The company specializes in the research, design, development, fabrication, and integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems.
Tsalla Aerospace focuses on creating sustainable military and industrial-grade products, incorporating redundant systems for enhanced reliability. Its product portfolio encompasses both Fixed-Wing and Multi-rotor UAVs, which are developed through a process of continuous experimentation and innovation.
Leveraging in-house design and manufacturing capabilities, Tsalla Aerospace offers comprehensive services from initial design and prototyping through to full production for specific client requirements.
The company works with the Indian Navy and Indian Army on several projects, including confined-space reconnaissance systems, backpack-based VTOL platforms for single-person use, and logistics solutions like ship-to-ship delivery in challenging weather conditions.
Tsalla competes with Indian defence and autonomy firms such as ideaForge, NewSpace Research & Tech, Sagar Defence, and CRON Systems, along with global dual-use autonomy developers.
The startup is also planning to raise $8 million in its upcoming Seed round to expand its AI autonomy stack globally and enter new defence and industrial markets.
Vinayak Tsalla, Founder & CEO of Tsalla Aerospace, said, “With this milestone, we move from proving what’s possible to scaling what’s inevitable. Our vision is to create a unified autonomy ecosystem where satellites, aircraft, ground vehicles, ships and underwater platforms operate seamlessly, thinking, deciding and acting together without human intervention. This funding helps us accelerate towards that future.”
