“We’re building technologies that protect national infrastructure and elevate India’s position in global defence innovation,” says Debendra Pradhan, CEO, Coratia Technologies
OdishaPlus Bureau
In a remarkable leap for India’s underwater robotics and defence technology sector, Coratia Technologies., an underwater robotics startup founded by Odisha’s Debendra Pradhan and Biswajit Swain have secured Rs 17 Crore ($2 Million) in Pre-Series A funding from MGF Kavachh, a SEBI-registered Category II AIF venture capital fund.
The announcement comes soon after the duo captivated national attention with their appearance on Shark Tank India season 3, where they secured Rs 80 Lakh from Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and CEO of OYO Rooms, for 1% equity, without any negotiation.
Graduates of NIT Rourkela with backgrounds in mechanical engineering and mechatronics, Debendra and Biswajit left their high-paying corporate careers to pursue a bold vision: to build India’s own unmanned underwater robotic systems.
Their journey began as a student project at NIT Rourkela and evolved into a full-fledged startup, Coratia Technologies, in the year 2021. With deep mentorship from NIT’s professors and access to high-end research support, they developed two advanced underwater robots – Jaladuta, which operates up to 150 meters underwater, and Jalasimha, capable of diving to depths of 300 meters.
“These robots are designed for infrastructure inspection, underwater threat detection, and national defence, with ongoing collaboration with the Indian Navy. Both robots can detect damage or threats beneath the surface of structures like bridges and dams. They’re also being explored for sensitive defence applications,” says Debendra Pradhan, CEO, Coratia Technologies.
From an initial investment of just INR 1 Lakh, Coratia Technologies has grown into a deep-tech powerhouse. Today, it serves reputed clients including: Indian Navy, Indian Railways, Tata Steel, SAIL, Hindalco, IOCL, and NINL.
The Pre-Series A funding from MGF Kavachh will fuel the Expansion of R&D at its Rourkela headquarters, the establishment of production offices in Bangalore and Bhubaneswar, the development of advanced AUVs, sonar systems, and swarm technologies, and strategic hiring to scale operations and defence integration.
The Coratia team, now 14 members strong, has won multiple awards for innovation and was invited to showcase their technologies to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. With their work, they’ve not only brought pride to Odisha but also contributed to India’s march toward technological self-reliance in underwater defence systems.
“Our startup is deeply rooted in research. NIT Rourkela is our home ground. Our professors are involved, and this place gives us the edge,” says Biswajit Swain, CTO, Coratia Technologies.
The startup’s growth reflects India’s broader defence-tech boom. With INR 2.09 Tn in defence contracts signed in FY25 and a government target of INR 35,000 Cr in exports by 2025, Coratia is uniquely positioned to be a strategic player in India’s underwater domain awareness and maritime security landscape.
“We’re building technologies that protect national infrastructure and elevate India’s position in global defence innovation,” adds Debendra.
