Latest news with #RaphemPhibr
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Raphe mPhibr raises $100 million in landmark defence drone funding round
In a major boost to India's indigenous defence tech sector, drone manufacturer Raphe mPhibr has secured $100 million in fresh funding, marking the largest private fundraise in the country's drone industry to date, The Times of India reported. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Think Investments, Amal Parikh, and several family offices. With this, the total capital raised by the company has reached $145 million. Drones made by Raphe mPhibr were deployed during the recent Operation Sindoor in May. The new funding will be used to scale up Raphe mPhibr's end-to-end capabilities in aircraft design, engineering, and production. The company plans to enhance its facilities to better meet India's growing demand for homegrown aerospace technologies, the news report said. 'This funding is more than an investment; it is a commitment to build in India what the country can no longer afford to import,' the company said in a statement, aligning its mission with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Raphe mPhibr's product lineup: From drone swarms to maritime reconnaissance Founded in 2016, Raphe mPhibr offers a wide range of defence-grade UAVs: -mR10: A drone swarm platform for coordinated missions -mR20: Designed for high-altitude logistics delivery -Bharat Drone: A man-portable surveillance solution -X8: Built for maritime patrol and reconnaissance Raphe mPhibr was established by Vikash Mishra and Vivek Mishra, two technologists with deep roots in aerospace and engineering. Vikash is an MIT-trained aerospace engineer with past experience at Idaho National Laboratory and CERN, while Vivek holds a PhD from Georgia Tech and has worked extensively in bio-inspired algorithms and sensor networks. Expanding India's indigenous defence ecosystem The company operates a comprehensive aerospace manufacturing campus, staffed by over 600 employees and housing specialised departments in aerodynamics, structural mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, and electronics. It claims to have logged over one million km of flight across its platforms and developed more than 100 unique intellectual properties. Its manufacturing capabilities include facilities for metal processing, composite materials, engine development, and military-grade electronics, enabling it to build equipment that performs in extreme conditions — ranging from deserts to high-altitude mountains and marine environments.
India.com
5 hours ago
- Automotive
- India.com
After Operation Sindoor, Noida-based drone startup raises over Rs 8300000000 in India's largest..., the company is...
(Image used for representational purpose only) Noida-based drone startup Raphe mPhibr has raised USD 100 million in fresh funding, led by US-based investment firm General Catalyst. This is the largest amount ever raised by an Indian aerospace manufacturing company, bringing the total funds raised by the startup to USD 145 million (over Rs. 1,200 crore). Raphe mPhibr's drones were part of the recent Operation Sindoor. Speaking to NDTV, Raphe mPhibr CEO Vivek Mishra said the key to staying ahead of countries like China in drone technology is to build a strong ecosystem that supports everything from designing and developing drones to making them right here in India. Sharing a real example, he said that when they were working on a drone that needed to fly for a long time, they could not find a suitable engine in the market. Most engines were either too bulky, too costly, or did not perform well enough. So instead of settling, the team decided to build their own internal combustion engine from scratch. 'We designed and made the engine ourselves to suit our drone's needs. It was the first time such an engine was built in India for drones. Our aim wasn't to copy anything, but to make something smaller, lighter, and more efficient that truly worked for our use,' Mishra told NDTV. He believes many Indian companies have the potential to focus on research and production. 'If we do that, we can create products that meet India's specific needs, rather than relying on foreign solutions,' he added. Raphe mPhibr used during Operation Sindoor
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
$100 million boost for drone startup Raphe mPhibr
Bengaluru: Indian drone startup Raphe mPhibr raised $100 million, led by General Catalyst, marking the largest private fundraise in the sector by an Indian company to date. The round also saw participation from existing investors Think Investments, Amal Parikh, and other family offices, bringing the company's total capital raised to $145 million. The fresh funds will be used to expand Raphe mPhibr's end-to-end aircraft design, engineering, and manufacturing facilities as it positions itself to support India's growing needs for domestically developed aerospace technologies. Founded in 2016, Raphe mPhibr focused on building mission-critical platforms for the Indian armed forces. Its offerings include the mR10 drone swarm, the mR20 high-altitude logistics platform, the Bharat man-portable surveillance drone, and the X8 for maritime patrol and reconnaissance. The company said it also developed India's first indigenous military-grade autopilot and internal combustion engine. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Raphe mPhibr was founded by Vikash Mishra and Vivek Mishra, technologists with deep expertise across aerospace and engineering disciplines. Vikash brings a background in aerospace engineering and nuclear science from MIT, with early experience at Idaho National Laboratory and CERN. Vivek holds a PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Georgia Tech, specialising in bio-inspired algorithms and sensor networks, and worked in engineering and operations at Bharat Petroleum. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo With over 600 staff, 100 unique IPs, and more than a million kilometres of flight logged across its platforms, Raphe mPhibr operates an aerospace manufacturing campus with dedicated departments in aerodynamics, structural mechanics, materials science, thermodynamics, and electronics. This allows it to design and produce critical equipment for challenging environments such as mountains, deserts, and oceans. Its state-of-the-art facilities cover metal processing, composites, engine design, and military-grade electronics. The company collaborated with global aerospace leaders such as Dassault Systèmes, Hensoldt, and Safran. Its focus, a statement said, is to build platforms and technologies that advance India's self-reliance in aerospace and defence, aligning with the country's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India policies."This funding is more than an investment; it is a commitment to build in India what the country can no longer afford to import," the company said in the statement.
NDTV
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- NDTV
After Op Sindoor Success, Indian Drone Startup Raises Massive $100 Million
New Delhi: UAV manufacturing startup Raphe mPhibr, whose drones participated in Operation Sindoor, has raised $100 million in a funding round led by General Catalyst. The Noida-based startup has so far raised $145 million (over Rs 1,200 crore) in the biggest ever fundraise by an Indian aerospace manufacturing firm. Raphe mPhibr Chief Executive Vivek Mishra told NDTV the key to beating China in drone technology and market is to build "a very strong ecosystem for design, development, and manufacturing." Giving an example from his own startup's experience, Mr Mishra said they needed an internal combustion engine for one of their long-endurance drones, but they could not find an ideal one, so they ended up building one that perfectly matched their needs. "For one of our long-endurance drones, we needed an internal combustion engine. Anything existing in the market would be either too expensive or too heavy or would not meet performance [parameters]. So we decided that we would design and manufacture the internal combustion engine here," Mr Mishra said. "And we were able to do it. This was India's first design of an internal combustion engine. The goal was not to recreate anything, but to reduce size, weight, increase performance, and attune it to the requirement for the UAV and hence the user," Mr Mishra said, referring to unmanned aerial vehicles. He added that a lot of companies in India can focus on research and manufacturing. "We can then come up with unique products for the unique requirements of India." Raphe mPhibr proved its mettle during Operation Sindoor, when India launched strikes against Pakistan in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 tourists. Their drones fired missiles at Pakistani targets. Since then there has been a huge surge in the Indian military's interest in acquiring more of these systems from domestic firms. The Indian Army, for instance, just ordered 450 suicide drones from a competitor and is all set to order hundreds more from the Noida-based startup. With enough resources, Raphe mPhibr is expected to innovate and deliver more capable drones to the military. "This was our Series B round where we raised $100 million, led by General Catalyst. A lot of our existing investors like Amal Parekh and Think Investment also pitched in this round as well. We$100 started almost a decade ago and this was a major [funding] round that we did to support the increase in capacity for our research and manufacturing," Mr Mishra told NDTV. On the huge interest in Raphe mPhibr's products following Operation Sindoor, Mr Mishra said their vision from Day 1 of operations was to develop a strong research and manufacturing capability in India. "We have been silently working for around a decade to develop the capacity where we are able to not only do research on the system level, but also do research and manufacturing on a subsystem level, where in each and every part of the drone, be it the structures, be it composites, be it electronics, wire harnesses, or even software - are designed and manufactured here," Mr Mishra said. "We have a unique manufacturing capability where state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques along with research are under one roof. For us, it's the same old vision. The value has increased wherein we are raising a larger amount compared to the last round, but this is towards the same vision that we have to be able to do more deep research into every field and focus on manufacturing and indigenous capabilities," the Raphe mPhibr CEO said. He expressed optimism that Indian engineers who leave the country to look for opportunities abroad would return in large numbers to work in the exciting field of drone tech. He said they have been seeing a trend where hundreds of scientists who have been working in the US for up to 15 years and even young scientists showing excitement in getting opportunities to work in drone tech and related fields in India. "The primary thing is that if you give people the kind of work that becomes an enjoyment, especially for engineers and scientists, they would definitely want to come. We are seeing this. A lot of Indians who have returned from the US and Europe are working with us. And not only Indians, we are proud to welcome other people as well who want to contribute in this sector," Mr Mishra said.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Pine Labs IPO; Raphe mPhibr, ShopOS raise funds
Pine Labs IPO; Raphe mPhibr, ShopOS raise funds Also in the letter: Pine Labs files for IPO with Rs 2,600 crore fresh issue; Peak XV, PayPal to pare stakes Who is selling? According to the DHRP, investors, including Peak XV Partners, Temasek, PayPal, Mastercard, Invesco, Actis, and Madison India, plan to partially exit via the OFS. Cofounder Lokvir Kapoor will also offload a portion of his stake. Pine Labs is additionally eyeing a Rs 520 crore pre-IPO fundraise. If completed, Pine Labs will adjust the final IPO size accordingly. A brief on Pine Labs: Founded in 1998, Pine Labs is among India's top five merchant payment processors, with a strong presence in offline payments. The company was primarily backed by Peak XV Partners (then Sequoia Capital), though the venture fund has diluted its stake to around 20%. After founder Lokvir Kapoor stepped back, Amrish Rau took charge. A seasoned fintech operator, Rau previously founded Citrus Payments and later led PayU India. The firm's cap table includes global investors such as Mastercard, PayPal, Temasek and Actis. The big plan: Bolster cloud infrastructure, enhance tech innovation, and launch new products. Expand into Southeast Asia and the Gulf countries. Pursue acquisitions to accelerate inorganic growth. Also Read: ETtech Done Deals: Drone maker Raphe mPhibr raises $100 million in round led by General Catalyst Round details: The fundraise values the Indian military drone manufacturer at nearly $900 million. With this round, the company's total funding now stands at $145 million. Existing investors, including stock market investor Amal Parikh, Think Investments, and several family offices, also participated in the round. FY24 financials: About the startup: Binny Bansal backs ShopOS to build AI-native ecommerce stack Why it matters: Founders: Zoom out: Sponsor ETtech Top 5 & Morning Dispatch! Why it matters: The opportunity: Reach a highly engaged audience of decision-makers. Boost your brand's visibility among the tech-savvy community. Custom sponsorship options to align with your brand's goals. What's next: AI and copyrights: The fight for fair use Driving the news: Double whammy: US District Judge William Alsup found that Anthropic's use of books for training was legal under copyright law, calling it 'exceedingly transformative.' He also held that Anthropic had infringed copyrights by storing pirated copies in a digital library. This marked the first US court ruling on the legality of training AI with copyrighted works. Also Read: What's next: Also Read: Bessemer sees $1 trillion digital economy opportunity in India Key growth areas: India footprint: Intel begins mass layoffs; chip and auto units hit Driving the news: Catch up quick: More pink slips: Also Read: Pine Labs has filed its draft red herring prospectus with Sebi for a Rs 2,600-crore IPO. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.■ AI firms' early copyright wins■ Bessemer's India outlook■ Intel layoffsAmrish Rau, CEO, Pine LabsMerchant payment processor Pine Labs has filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), aiming to raise Rs 2,600 crore through a fresh issue and an offer for sale (OFS) of up to 147.8 million IPO proceeds, Pine Labs has the following set of targets:Vivek Mishra and Vikash Mishra, founders, Raphe mPhibrRaphe mPhibr, a drone manufacturing startup, has raised $100 million in an equity funding round led by Silicon Valley investor General company posted revenue of Rs 86 crore in FY24, more than doubling the Rs 42 crore it reported the previous year. It also turned profitable, recording a net profit of Rs 9 crore during the same in 2016 by Vivek Mishra and Vikash Mishra, Raphe mPhibr builds a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Its portfolio includes a drone swarm platform, a high-altitude logistics drone, a surveillance drone and a compact maritime patrol system.(L-R) Sai Krishna V K, cofounder; ShopOS, Binny Bansal, cofounder, Flipkart; and Ajay P V, cofounder, ShopOSFlipkart cofounder Binny Bansal has invested $20 million in ShopOS , a startup building an AI-native operating system for global e-commerce brands. Bansal made this investment through his venture fund, Three State aims to automate the creation, management, and marketing of products across different markets. Its platform integrates AI agents throughout the entire process, from catalogue creation and personalised storefronts to targeted advertising was founded by Sai Krishna V K and Ajay P V, who earlier cofounded Scapic, acquired by Flipkart in 2020. The duo played a key role in setting up Flipkart Labs, where they led deep tech pilots. They are joined by Karan Sonawala, also a Flipkart alumnus, who built immersive, AI-led shopping company is betting on what it calls 'ambient agents' — AI systems that not only assist but autonomously run commerce workflows. It is already working with early customers in India, the UAE, and Europe, and plans to step up hiring and product integrations over the next Top 5 and Morning Dispatch are must-reads for India's tech and business leaders, including startup founders, investors, policy makers, industry insiders and Reach out to us at spotlightpartner@ to explore sponsorship Zuckerberg's Meta scored a partial win in a lawsuit filed by a group of authors who claimed the company trained its AI on their copyrighted books without District Judge Vince Chhabria ruled in Meta's favour, saying the plaintiffs had made 'the wrong arguments' and failed to present enough evidence to support their however, noted that using copyrighted material to train AI could be unlawful in 'many circumstances,' leaving the door open for future ruling follows a similar outcome in a separate lawsuit involving AI company a fresh lawsuit filed in New York, authors including Kai Bird, Jia Tolentino and Daniel Okrent allege Microsoft used a trove of nearly 200,000 pirated digital books to train its Megatron Valley VC firm Bessemer Venture Partners believes India's digital economy could surpass $1 trillion in value over the next decade, according to its latest firm identifies quick commerce, direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands, and mobile-first content platforms as key engines of value creation. Startups like Zepto, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and D2C players such as Blissclub, Mokobara, and Minimalist are seen as early report also points to rising investor appetite in emerging sectors, including micro-transactions, pet care, mobile gaming, and AI-driven consumer entering India in 2006, Bessemer has backed over 80 startups, including BigBasket, PharmEasy, and Urban Company. In March, it closed a $350 million India-focused fund, aimed at deepening its presence in AI, SaaS, fintech, and has begun laying off staff in the US , starting with 107 roles in California as part of a broader workforce reduction of up to 20% under new CEO Lip-Bu job cuts span engineering, chip design, and automotive units. Intel is also shutting down its Munich-based auto chip business and outsourcing marketing to layoffs are part of a plan to reduce costs by $500 million in 2025 and $1 billion in 2026. The company is promoting a leaner culture that rewards efficiency and reduces bloated teams, amid rising competition from Nvidia, AMD, and app Bumble will slash 30% of its global workforce , affecting over 240 roles. The company expects to save $40 million annually, with most of the savings allocated towards product and technology upgrades.
