In the heart of India’s innovation hub, two visionaries dared to reimagine the skies. Besta Prem Sai, an aeronautics enthusiast and now CEO, and Rajeshree Deotalu, a tech visionary and CTO, shared a singular ambition—to push the boundaries of unmanned aerial systems. What began as a passion project in the classrooms of IIT Delhi and NIT Nagpur soon transformed into one of India’s most exciting drone technology startups: VECROS Technologies.

Their journey wasn’t just about building drones. It was about challenging norms, solving real-world problems, and crafting systems that could think, adapt, and navigate autonomously. VECROS emerged not as a company that builds drones but as a pioneer shaping the future of autonomous systems.

From Challenges to Innovation: The Birth of VECROS

As a student at IIT Delhi, Besta Prem Sai immersed himself in aeromodelling, mastering the art of flight mechanics and design. Yet, his growing expertise revealed a significant gap—most drones relied heavily on GPS for navigation, making them vulnerable in urban canyons, dense forests, or conflict zones. These limitations inspired a bold vision: drones that could navigate autonomously, even in GPS-denied environments.

Rajeshree, with her strong engineering background and determination to solve industrial challenges, brought a complementary perspective. Together, they laid the foundation for VECROS in 2018, with a mission to merge AI, robotics, and spatial intelligence into cutting-edge autonomous systems.

ATHERA and JETPIX: Defining the Future of Autonomy

VECROS’s breakthrough came with the creation of ATHERA, a spatial AI-powered drone designed for real-world, complex environments. Unlike traditional drones, ATHERA didn’t just follow pre-set paths; it understood its surroundings, planned its movements, and executed tasks independently.

At the heart of this innovation was JETPIX, VECROS’s proprietary operating system. JETPIX enabled precise navigation, real-time obstacle detection, and decision-making powered by advanced AI algorithms. Whether inspecting infrastructure, surveying landscapes, or monitoring logistics, ATHERA delivered with precision and reliability.

These developments showcased VECROS’s technical ingenuity and redefined what drones could achieve. They became collaborators capable of augmenting human capabilities, not just tools.

Scaling New Heights: Milestones and Recognition

By 2024, VECROS had established itself as a trailblazer in the drone ecosystem. The journey was marked by numerous accolades and milestones:

  • First Place at the Big 5 Startup Pitch Competition in Dubai.
  • Winners of the Idex BRO Challenge under the Defence India Startup Challenge.
  • A feature on Shark Tank India Season 3, securing investment from Aman Gupta.
  • Selection for the Qualcomm Women Entrepreneurship in India Program and CXXO Kalaari Capital’s “Build It” Program.
  • Recognition in Power 100: Women in Innovation by PwC India and inclusion among India’s Top 30 Drone Startups.

In addition to accolades, VECROS raised a substantial pre-seed funding round, led by Rebalance Angel Community and supported by Eternal Capital, OTP Ventures, and TDV Partners. This milestone signified the growing industry confidence in VECROS’s transformative vision.

Further endorsements came from the Indian Army’s IDEX program, NVIDIA’s Inception program, and the Sterlite Innovation Challenge, underscoring the company’s strategic importance in defense, AI, and automation.

Innovating for Tomorrow

VECROS continues to innovate relentlessly. Among their upcoming advancements is an in-house battery management system (BMS), designed to enable seamless battery swapping during missions. This technology will significantly reduce operational downtime and enhance the efficiency of mission-critical tasks.

Looking ahead, VECROS aims to introduce new drone models equipped with groundbreaking features. With a sharp focus on customer needs, these innovations promise to redefine drone performance and utility across industries.

Global Aspirations

With the world as their stage, VECROS is gearing up for global expansion by 2026. Their sights are set on obtaining certifications that will open international markets, enabling the commercial sale of their drones and accessories.

The company’s ambitious targets for the coming year include expanding sales of drones and JetCore modular carrier boards, reflecting the scalability and growing demand for their innovative offerings.

Overcoming Challenges: Resilience in Action

Like any pioneering startup, VECROS faced its share of hurdles. Developing autonomous drones capable of navigating GPS-denied environments required substantial investments in AI and machine learning. Building a team of experts and convincing industries to adopt these advanced systems were daunting tasks.

Funding constraints and market skepticism further tested their resolve. Yet, Prem Sai and Rajeshree persisted, drawing strength from their vision and their customers’ trust. Winning prestigious competitions like the Start-Up City award at the Big 5 Global event validated their efforts and showcased their ability to innovate under pressure.

The VECROS Vision: A Glimpse into the Future

As VECROS grows, their vision remains clear: to revolutionize industries with autonomous systems that enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability. They envision a world where drones seamlessly integrate into daily operations, taking on tasks that free humans to focus on creativity and strategy.

The company’s future roadmap includes:

  • Expanding globally and strengthening partnerships.
  • Launching innovative products tailored to emerging market needs.
  • Scaling production to meet growing demands across industries.

VECROS’s commitment to innovation and societal impact ensures its continued relevance and leadership in the drone technology landscape.

A Legacy of Innovation and Determination

VECROS Technologies isn’t just a company; it’s a story of determination, resilience, and innovation. From the classrooms of IIT Delhi and NIT Nagpur to industrial sites and global stages, Prem Sai and Rajeshree have proven that with vision and persistence, the sky is not the limit—it’s only the beginning.

Their drones, powered by intelligence and autonomy, are more than machines—they’re enablers of progress, transforming industries and improving lives. As VECROS sets its sights on the future, it reminds us all of the power of dreams, innovation, and the human spirit to soar beyond boundaries.