India Accelerator introduces RUMS (Robotics, Unmanned & Space), a pioneering initiative aimed at driving innovation and growth in the robotics and unmanned sector.
India Accelerator (IA) has unveiled RUMS (Robotics, Unmanned & Space), a new vertical dedicated to fostering innovation and advancement in the robotics and unmanned industry. Leveraging a diverse pool of experts, IA aims to nurture startups in this burgeoning sector, with Lt. Gen Anil Chait, a former Indian Army veteran, leading the charge with his strategic guidance and extensive experience.
Lt. Gen. Anil Chait brings over four decades of expertise in armoured corps operations, counter-insurgency warfare, and disaster relief missions, making him a valuable asset for defence startups. In his role as Chief Advisor of RUMS at India Accelerator, Lt. Gen. Chait expressed enthusiasm for venturing into uncharted territories, emphasizing the pivotal role of robotics and unmanned technologies in modern defense, healthcare, and other critical industries.
“The vertical represents the venture into unchartered territories as Robotics and Unmanned technologies are the forerunners of modern defence, warfare, healthcare accessibility and other critical industries. Excited to lead this endeavour with IA as we look forward to cultivating innovation in revolutionising diverse industries and fortifying national security,” Lt. Gen. Anil Chait stated in a statement.
India has set ambitious goals to become a leader in defense production and aims to establish itself as a global hub for drones by 2030. With recent regulatory reforms, including liberalized drone rules, and other government initiatives, Indian startups are increasingly focused on reducing dependency on foreign technology. Through RUMS, IA seeks to spearhead the development of robotics and unmanned startups, aligning with the country’s Make in India initiative.
Arindam Mukhopadhyay, Partner & Head of Corporate Innovation at India Accelerator, highlighted the growing significance of robotics and unmanned technologies across diverse sectors. “As innovation knows no bounds, we are continuing to witness an upsurge in robotics and unmanned startups in defense use cases, but at the same time, the use of robotics and UAVs has expanded to agriculture, warehousing, healthcare, logistics, and more,” Mukhopadhyay stated.
To kickstart RUMS, IA has invested nearly $1 million in a Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup through Finvolve, a premier Micro VC fund. This startup specializes in advanced air defense aerial systems, catering to rapid deployment, resilient ISR, precision strikes, and countermeasure capabilities in contested environments. The investment underscores IA’s commitment to nurturing a robust ecosystem, fostering business sustainability for robotics and UAS startups in India.
