• UDAAN will provide access to cutting-edge facilities, mentorship, financing opportunities, and business development assistance to help promising drone startups scale their businesses rapidly

• UDAAN connects startups with investors and provides financial support to fuel their growth and innovation

• Applications are open until June 20

Kanpur, 08 June, 2024: The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur has joined forces with the Centre of Excellence for Capacity Building, Training, and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at IIT Kanpur (Drone CoE Kanppur), an initiative by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Drone Federation of India (DFI) to launch the UAV/UAS/Drone Acceleration and Networking (UDAAN) Program. This program promises to be a game-changer for aspiring and promising drone startups in India, providing them with the resources and expertise needed to scale their businesses rapidly.

The UDAAN program will select 20 startups annually, divided into two cohorts, for an intensive acceleration journey. These startups will be incubated at SIIC, IIT Kanpur, gaining access to cutting-edge R&D facilities, technical mentorship, financing opportunities, and invaluable industry relationships.

The program offers a comprehensive support system designed to equip startups with the tools they need to thrive in the competitive drone landscape. This includes strategic product and business development assistance, market analysis, customer targeting, alliance building, and growth plan development.

Furthermore, startups will have access to state-of-the-art testing facilities at the Drone CoE, including the Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, Flight Laboratory, and the National Wind Tunnel Facility. They will also benefit from workshops, short courses, and mentorship from leading UAV experts and esteemed IIT Kanpur faculty.

To further accelerate their growth, the program will organize investor connect activities such as pitch sessions, demo days, and networking opportunities with angel investors, venture capitalists, and industry leaders. Additionally, the top six startups in each cohort will receive fellowship support of Rs. 3 lakhs per annum, providing crucial financial backing for their continued innovation and growth.

Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor in Charge at SIIC, IIT Kanpur, emphasized the program's significance. "The UAV/UAS Acceleration Programme is a testament to our commitment to nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship in the drone sector. By providing startups with access to world-class resources and mentorship, we aim to accelerate the growth of the UAV industry in India and contribute to technological advancements that have the potential to revolutionise various sectors."

Prof. Abhishek, Professor In Charge, of Drone CoE, IIT Kanpur added, “We are dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of UAV pioneers. By providing mentorship, state-of-the-art facilities, and customized support, our goal is to help startups succeed and drive significant advancements in unmanned aerial vehicles. Let's embark together on a journey of exploration, innovation, and endless possibilities."

Startups interested in participating in the UDAAN program must be registered as Private Limited companies with DPIIT, operate within the UAV/Drone sector, and focus on product development, testing, design verification, or technical consultancy. Additionally, their annual turnover should not exceed Rs. 3 crores.

The UDAAN program represents a unique and powerful collaboration between academia, industry, and government, all working together to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the drone sector. Startups eager to accelerate their growth and contribute to the advancement of UAV technology are encouraged to apply for this exclusive opportunity.

For more information and to apply, please visit https://siicincubator.com/about/drone_coe.php Applications close on June 20, 2024.

About Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre, IIT Kanpur

Established in 2000, the Start-up Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, is one of the oldest technology business incubators with many successes under its belt. In 2018, the leadership brought the incubator's operations under the Foundation for Research & Innovation in Science & Technology (FIRST), a Section-8 company promoted by IIT Kanpur. The multifaceted, vibrant incubation ecosystem nurtured over two decades continues to fill all the gaps on the road to convert an idea into a business.

About Centre of Excellence for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at IIT Kanpur fosters collaboration across users, developers, researchers, manufacturers, and service providers within the state. This interdisciplinary hub offers cutting-edge drone testing facilities at affordable rates for startups and companies affiliated with IIT Kanpur and UPEIDA. Key facilities include a state-of-the-art Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, a unique 1 km runway with DGCA-approved flight testing area, and the National Wind Tunnel Facility. This CoE plays a crucial role in supporting new startups and accelerating their growth into established companies.

About Drone Federation of India

The Drone Federation of India (DFI) is India’s premier sector-focused industry body, representing over 250 organisations, including drone manufacturers, service providers, and training organisations. Dedicated to promoting and building a safe and scalable domestic unmanned aviation industry, DFI collaborates with thought leaders, industry experts, and policymakers to enable the design, development, manufacturing, certification, operations, and export of high-quality, best-in-class drones from India.

About IIT Kanpur:

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared to be an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. IIT Kanpur is best known for the highest standard of education in science and engineering and for seminal R&D contributions over the years. The institute has a sprawling lush green campus spread over 1050 acres with a large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 25 centres and 3 interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 580 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.