IIT Delhi-incubated deeptech startup Green Aero secures 1.6 million from pi Ventures

Green Aero, a deeptech startup incubated at IIT Delhi, has raised $1.6 million in a seed funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from Antler, to develop next-generation propulsion systems for defence and hydrogen-powered civil aviation. With India largely reliant on imported turbine engines, the startup sees an opportunity to build indigenous propulsion systems.

The company recently announced that it had test-fired India’s first hydrogen-based aero engine. The funding will support Green Aero’s research and development (R&D) efforts and the establishment of an in-house testing facility. The capital will also be used for team expansion as it prepares for commercial pilots in defence and aviation.

Speaking to ET, founder Prithwish Kundu, a former research scientist at the US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory who has collaborated with NASA and the US Army, said the startup aims to build core propulsion technology for aerospace, naval, and hydrogen-powered civil aircraft, which will be a first for India.


“We are excited to be at the forefront of developing advanced aero engine technologies in India for the world. This is the need of the hour for modern defence and aviation requirements,” Kundu said. The startup plans to commercialise its first small-category engine within the next 12 months while laying the groundwork for a larger engine platform.

“India has historically lagged in aerospace innovation, but that’s changing fast. Green Aero is building world-class aero engines from the ground up in India, with a laser-sharp focus on efficiency and performance,” said Shubham Sandeep, managing director at pi Ventures.