India Accelerator (IA) has announced the launch of a new vertical called RUMS (Robotics, Unmanned & Space) to support startups in the fields of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Counter drone Systems, Ground Robots, and Space technologies. This initiative aims to spur innovation and growth in these industries.
RUMS is recognized as India’s first dedicated accelerator for the Robotics and Unmanned ecosystem. IA plans to invest US$8 to US$10 million in early-stage startups through its partner entity, Finvolve. The initiative will be led by Lt Gen Anil Chait, a former Indian Army veteran, who brings 40 years of experience in operations, counter-insurgency warfare, and disaster relief.
Expressing his enthusiasm about leading RUMS, Lt Gen Anil Chait stressed the importance of Robotics and Unmanned technologies in modern defence, healthcare, and other critical industries.
Arindam Mukhopadhyay, Partner & Head of Corporate Innovation at IA, highlighted the increasing applications of robotics and unmanned technologies in various sectors such as agriculture, warehousing, healthcare, and logistics. He noted that the launch of RUMS aims to meet the growing demand for agile technology solutions and support the proliferation of startups in these areas.
India aims to become a global leader in defence production and drone technology by 2030. The government’s liberalized drone rules and other initiatives are helping Indian startups reduce their dependency on other countries. RUMS aims to be a key player in supporting the country’s “Make in India” initiative by uplifting robotics and unmanned startups.
As part of the launch, IA invested nearly US$1 million in a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup through Finvolve. This startup develops advanced air defence aerial systems for rapid deployment and precision strikes in contested environments. This investment underscores IA’s vision to build a robust ecosystem for Robotics and UAS startups in India.
By January 2024, IA had supported 225 startups, with two-thirds successfully raising follow-on funding. IA has exited 33 percent of these startups, achieving six times return on investments over the past six years.
IA also focuses on other niches like Energy & Mobility, Circular Economy, Sustainable Development, Generative AI, and Media Entertainment & Gaming. The launch of RUMS further showcases IA’s commitment to helping startups succeed by providing financial and other resources for market acquisition and business sustainability.