RT team
The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has launched the UAV/UAS/Drone Acceleration and Networking (UDAAN) programme. This initiative, created in partnership with the Drone CoE Kanpur and the Drone Federation of India, is designed to catalyze the growth of drone startups in India.
UDAAN will annually select 20 startups in two cohorts to undergo an intensive acceleration journey. These startups will benefit from the state-of-the-art R&D facilities at SIIC, IIT Kanpur, receiving technical mentorship, funding opportunities, and connections with industry leaders.
Professor Ankush Sharma, who is in charge at SIIC, highlighted that UDAAN aims to equip startups with world-class resources and expert guidance to enhance the UAV industry’s expansion in India. The program is set to drive technological innovations that could transform multiple sectors.
Participants will receive comprehensive support including strategic product and business development, market analysis, customer targeting, and growth strategy formulation. They will also have access to specialized testing facilities like the Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, Flight Laboratory, and the National Wind Tunnel Facility at Drone CoE.
Moreover, the top six startups from each cohort will be awarded a fellowship of Rs 3 lakh per annum, providing essential financial support for their innovative projects.
Startups interested in the UDAAN programme should be registered as private limited companies, focused on product development in the UAV/Drone sector, and have an annual turnover not exceeding Rs 3 crore. Applications are open until June 20.
