Yali Aerospace, a drone startup based in Tamil Nadu, has received investment from software giant Zoho to boost the development and deployment of its advanced drones. These drones, designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), aim to improve healthcare delivery, especially in rural parts of India.
Founded in 2022 by Dinesh Baluraj and his wife Anugraha, Yali Aerospace focuses on making VTOL drones and autonomous docking stations. They also produce various drone subsystems, including flight controllers and navigation systems.
Baluraj, cofounder and CEO, explained their mission: “Our motto is to connect all the primary healthcare centres in rural areas to the government hospitals in cities to stop maternity deaths and deaths from snake bites.” Their drones are intended to transport critical medical supplies such as organs and blood over long distances.
The investment came after Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu visited Yali Aerospace’s facility four months ago. Impressed by the startup’s potential to revolutionize rural healthcare, Vembu decided to support their efforts. Yali Aerospace highlighted that Vembu’s belief in their technology affirms the startup’s capability to significantly impact the healthcare sector.
Currently, Yali Aerospace’s VTOL drone can carry a payload of 7 kg and travel at speeds of up to 150 km per hour. The startup plans to launch its first pilot project in September and aims to obtain Type certification for the drone within the next two months. The funding from Zoho will help ramp up manufacturing to meet certification requirements.
Additionally, Yali Aerospace is exploring opportunities for pilot projects in Africa.
The Indian drone industry, which includes over 200 startups and has secured more than $140 million in investments since 2014, is projected to grow to $13 billion by 2030. Drones are increasingly being used in logistics, from healthcare to ecommerce. Yali Aerospace faces competition from companies like Redwing Labs and Skye Air.
Zoho’s investment in Yali Aerospace is part of its broader strategy to expand its business offerings. Earlier this year, Zoho launched Zakya, a new division in India to assist retail businesses with various tasks, including billing, accounting, ecommerce, and back-office operations.
