Kanpur, Jun 10 (KNN) The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has launched a new programme called UDAAN to accelerate the growth of drone startups in India.

The UAV/UAS/Drone Acceleration and Networking (UDAAN) programme is a partnership between SIIC, the Centre of Excellence for Capacity Building, Training, and Design of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at IIT Kanpur (Drone CoE Kanpur), and the Drone Federation of India (DFI).

The UDAAN programme aims to provide drone startups with the resources, expertise, and facilities needed to scale their businesses rapidly.

It will select 20 startups annually, divided into two cohorts, for an intensive acceleration journey at the SIIC incubator at IIT Kanpur.

The selected startups will gain access to cutting-edge R&D facilities, technical mentorship, financing opportunities, and industry relationships.

They will receive support in areas such as product and business development, market analysis, customer targeting, alliance building, and growth plan development.

"The UDAAN programme will provide startups with access to world-class resources and mentorship, helping to boost the growth of the UAV industry in India," said Professor Ankush Sharma, Professor in Charge at SIIC, IIT Kanpur.

"It will also contribute to technological advancements that have the potential to revolutionise various sectors."

The startups will have access to testing facilities at the Drone CoE, including the Helicopter and VTOL Laboratory, Flight Laboratory, and the National Wind Tunnel Facility.

The launch of the UDAAN programme is a significant step towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the rapidly growing drone industry in India.

(KNN Bureau)