Bengaluru-based Tsalla Aerospace, a deep-tech startup developing an AI autonomy stack for unmanned systems, has raised $1 million in its first funding round led by Sunny Stalnaker (ASML), with participation from SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India) and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence).
The funding will be used to scale defence and industrial deployments, strengthen R&D capabilities, and expand manufacturing infrastructure, marking a significant step toward building indigenous, intelligent drone systems for India’s strategic and commercial needs.
Founded by Vinayak Tsalla, the company is building a unified autonomy ecosystem where satellites, aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, and underwater platforms can think, decide, and operate together without human intervention.
Vinayak Tsalla, Founder & CEO, said,
“With this milestone, we move from proving what’s possible to scaling what’s inevitable. Our vision is to create an interconnected ecosystem of autonomous systems that collaborate seamlessly across domains. This funding helps us accelerate toward that future.”
The investment reflects growing investor confidence in India’s deep-tech and defence-tech innovation, as AI-driven autonomy reshapes the future of surveillance, logistics, and tactical operations globally.
