SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Nabhdrishti Aerospace has secured $3 million in a seed funding round led by Accel, with participation from IIMA Ventures and other existing investors. Announced in late March 2025, this infusion of capital will propel the company’s mission to develop fuel-flexible gas turbines for power generation and aircraft propulsion, addressing India’s long-standing reliance on imported propulsion systems. Founded by a trio of industry veterans with roots at General Electric (GE), Rolls-Royce, and DRDO-GTRE, Nabhdrishti is poised to redefine aerospace innovation with its cutting-edge technology.
The co-founders—Rohit Chouhan, Arjun Srivatsa, and Antanu Sadhu—bring a wealth of experience to the table. Chouhan, who also worked at the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (DRDO-GTRE), joins Srivatsa and Sadhu in leveraging their time at GE and Rolls-Royce to tackle one of aerospace’s toughest challenges: propulsion. Graduates of IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), respectively, the trio is channeling their expertise into a common-core micro gas turbine platform designed for dual-use applications.
At the heart of Nabhdrishti’s innovation lies the ND2000 and ND400 engines, built around a shared micro gas turbine core. This dual-use technology is engineered for both power generation and aircraft propulsion, offering versatility across industries. The ND400, for instance, targets UAVs and hybrid electric aircraft with up to 400 shaft horsepower, while the ND2000 scales up to deliver 2 megawatts of power for industrial and defense applications. This common-core approach reduces development costs and enhances scalability, a key advantage as the company eyes diverse markets.
“India’s dependence on imported propulsion systems has long constrained our aerospace ambitions,” said Rohit Chouhan, co-founder and CEO of Nabhdrishti Aerospace. “Our mission is to redefine the future of aerospace propulsion by building fuel-flexible, high-performance engines that are both sustainable and indigenously developed.”
The $3 million seed round will turbocharge Nabhdrishti’s development timeline. The company plans to test three engine prototypes and conduct flight trials in collaboration with UAV manufacturers, aiming to validate its technology in real-world scenarios. These trials will be a critical step toward commercialization, demonstrating the engines’ reliability and performance to potential customers in defense, aviation, and power generation sectors.
Beyond R&D, Nabhdrishti is focused on generating early revenue by targeting immediate opportunities, such as supplying micro turbines for UAVs and backup power systems. To support this growth, the company intends to expand its team, with new hires expected across engineering, production, and customer support by the end of 2025. Over the next few years, Nabhdrishti aims to steadily scale its workforce to keep pace with its expanding product portfolio and customer base.
The engines boast several standout features:
- Fuel-Flex Combustor: Capable of burning conventional fuels as well as sustainable alternatives like green hydrogen, the combustor aligns with global decarbonization goals while ensuring operational flexibility.
- Advanced Technology: Incorporating advanced aerodynamic design, recuperators for improved efficiency, and cutting-edge sealing technology, the engines promise high performance with reduced emissions.
- 3D Printing: By leveraging additive manufacturing, Nabhdrishti delivers elegant, lightweight designs at a lower cost, accelerating production timelines and enhancing affordability.
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