Coratia Technologies, a cutting-edge startup specialising in underwater robotics, has raised $2 million (approximately INR 17.1 crore) in a Pre-Series A funding round led by MGF Kavachh, a venture capital fund established by former defence secretary Ajay Kumar, according to sources cited by Inc42.
The funding round is a significant boost for the deep-tech startup, which is working on mission-critical underwater solutions aimed at transforming underwater inspection, surveillance, and infrastructure maintenance. With a growing emphasis on maritime security and infrastructure safety, Coratia’s innovations come at a crucial time for India’s defence and engineering ecosystems.
Founded by Debendra Pradhan and Biswajit Swain, Coratia Technologies was incubated at the prestigious National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela. Since its inception, the company has focused on developing sophisticated underwater robotic systems capable of operating in complex aquatic environments.
Coratia’s core product offerings include two major categories:
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) – These are self-guided robots that can navigate underwater without real-time human control. AUVs are especially useful for deep-sea exploration, seabed mapping, and environmental monitoring.
- Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) – These tethered robots are controlled from the surface and are primarily used for high-precision underwater tasks such as inspection, maintenance, and surveillance of critical infrastructure.
The startup’s products are designed for use across multiple domains including maritime security, energy exploration, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection—especially underwater assets such as bridges, dams, pipelines, and offshore rigs.
“Coratia Technologies is solving real-world challenges under the surface—their work has immense implications for maritime security, energy, and safety and longevity of critical underwater infrastructure like bridges and dams,” said Raj Sethia, managing partner at MGF Kavachh. He emphasized that Coratia’s technological foundation and domain-specific approach are aligned with India’s growing need for indigenous underwater systems.
This funding will allow Coratia Technologies to scale up its product development, expand its engineering team, and enhance manufacturing capabilities. The startup also plans to strengthen its research and development initiatives and potentially expand its market reach across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, where underwater infrastructure and maritime security are emerging priorities.
The Pre-Series A round reflects growing investor interest in the deep-tech and defence tech sectors in India, which have seen increased government focus through initiatives like Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence).
As nations bolster their underwater capabilities in both civilian and defence sectors, startups like Coratia are poised to play a critical role. Their ability to blend academic research with real-world industrial and defence applications makes them one of the most promising players in India’s rapidly growing tech-driven industrial ecosystem.
With fresh capital and strategic backing, Coratia Technologies is well-positioned to make a substantial impact—both below the surface and beyond.
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