January 21, 2025: Seven Indian startups have been handpicked for a path-breaking defence and space collaboration programme designed to foster innovation and bilateral cooperation between India and the United States.
This collaboration opens unprecedented access to the U.S. market, providing Indian startups a rare opportunity to engage with top-tier defence institutions, including the U.S. Department of Defense, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and others.
Launched in September 2024, this initiative, co-founded by Indian venture firm Indusbridge Ventures and U.S.-based FedTech, marks a historic effort to strengthen ties in the fields of defence and dual-use technologies.
The startups selected for the programme are at the forefront of technological innovation in fields such as space imaging, rocket manufacturing, and artificial intelligence. Notable companies include KaleidEO, a pioneer in space imaging, EtherealX, a rocket manufacturing startup, and Shyam VNL, an AI-driven technology firm.
These companies will not only gain access to critical resources, mentorship, and connections with U.S. industry leaders but also collaborate on cutting-edge projects that could significantly impact global defence capabilities.
Indian Startups Poised to make the big leap in the US Defence Market
This initiative is seen as a pivotal moment for Indian startups looking to tap into the lucrative U.S. defence market, valued at $1.5 billion annually in niche sectors. Industry experts estimate that these startups could collectively generate revenues of between $500 million to $1 billion annually, positioning them to compete globally in crucial technological domains.
The programme will also provide valuable exposure to advanced technologies and operational frameworks, with the potential to accelerate India’s aspirations to become a global hub for defence innovation.
The programme’s announcement comes shortly after high-level talks between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan in January 2025. These discussions focused on advancing bilateral defence collaborations and highlighted the growing importance of integrating emerging commercial technologies into military applications.
This cooperation builds on a broader transformation of U.S.-India defence relations, cemented through joint military exercises, technical agreements, and the strategic framework of the Quad partnership between India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia.
India’s push for indigenous innovation in defence, supported by initiatives like ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat, is gaining momentum. The selected startups represent the country’s growing capabilities in space, defence, and dual-use technologies, setting the stage for India to strengthen its presence in global defence supply chains. This collaboration programme is not just a commercial opportunity—it’s a strategic milestone that could redefine the future of Indo-U.S. defence relations.
As these seven Indian startups begin their journey in this exclusive programme, they stand at the forefront of a new era of innovation, cooperation, and shared aspirations between India and the U.S.
