Meet the Founders Fueling India’s Defence & Aerospace Future | Startup Table with AJ S02 EP12

About this Video

• Video Title: Meet the Founders Fueling India’s Defence & Aerospace Future | Startup Table with AJ S02 EP12
• Channel: Rukam Capital
• Speakers: Arja Jagerdar, Vinay (Skyerve), Kajill Sha (Dreamfly Innovations), Hussein (Just Fly It), Gadada (Nano Technologies), Apurwa Masuk (Space Fields), Prem (Verros), N (Aerospace),
• Duration: 01:05:30

Introduction

This episode of "Startup Table with AJ" features a discussion with seven founders of Indian defense and aerospace startups. The main topic centers on the challenges these companies face in achieving exponential growth, focusing on obstacles related to procurement cycles, talent acquisition, and the overall ecosystem's maturity.

Key Takeaways

• Challenges in the Indian Defense and Aerospace Sector: The primary challenge highlighted is the cyclical and unpredictable nature of government procurement, making long-term business planning difficult. This contrasts sharply with more stable procurement cycles in other countries, like the US.
• Talent Acquisition and Skill Gaps: A significant hurdle is the lack of skilled individuals with strong fundamental knowledge, coupled with a cultural preference for leaving India for better opportunities abroad. This issue affects innovation and the ability to push technological boundaries.
• The Importance of Customer Interaction and Policy: Founders emphasize the need for increased collaboration with clients to ensure better alignment of needs and capabilities, leading to more predictable orders. Furthermore, they stress the necessity of startups actively participating in policymaking to create a more supportive regulatory environment.
• Funding and Capital: While funding was initially a less pressing concern compared to other challenges, the founders acknowledge the importance of financial prudence and the need for more risk-tolerant capital in the deep tech sector. Government initiatives like IDEX are cited as positive steps.
• Passion and Patriotism: A driving factor for many founders is a deep-seated love for the aerospace and defense sectors, coupled with a desire to contribute to India's technological sovereignty and independence.