Indian aerospace and defence-tech startup Raphe mPhibr has secured $100 million in fresh funding. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Think Investments, Amal Parikh, and multiple family offices. This investment marks the largest private capital raise in India’s aerospace manufacturing space.
With this latest round, the company’s total funding has reached $145 million. The funds will be used to expand manufacturing operations, invest in research and development, and build stronger partnerships in India and globally.
Focus on Global Growth
After fresh funding, Raphe mPhibr is now working to increase its role in the international aerospace supply chain while supporting India’s push for self-reliance in defence technologies.
The company has already made significant strides with advanced drone systems and military-grade avionics. Among its key offerings are a drone swarm platform, high-altitude logistics drones, and man-portable surveillance drones, many of which are actively used by Indian defence forces.
Company Roots and Vision
Founded in 2016 by Vikash Mishra, Vivek Mishra, and Nitin Katiyar, Raphe mPhibr operates from Noida. Its vertically integrated aerospace campus includes teams working on everything from aerodynamics to engine development, ensuring complete in-house control.
The startup has also developed India’s first indigenous military-grade autopilot and lightweight internal combustion engines for UAVs. These innovations reflect its strong commitment to building cutting-edge defence products in India.
Backed by Global Leaders
The company collaborates with international defence firms such as Dassault Systèmes, HENSOLDT, and Safran Electronics & Defense. It uses Dassault’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform to integrate and manage end-to-end aerospace systems.
General Catalyst’s Managing Director Neeraj Arora said the firm is excited to back Raphe mPhibr’s journey of transforming engineering-led manufacturing and contributing to critical defence applications.
Aligned with National Goals
Raphe mPhibr’s mission aligns closely with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India programmes. With a workforce of over 600 and more than 100 unique patents, the company is helping reduce India’s dependence on imported defence systems.
Its technology is also drawing international attention from cities like Paris, Dubai, and London. The funding comes as India increases support for its private defence sector through innovation-friendly policies and programs such as iDEX.
