Engineer inspecting electronic substrate in manufacturing cleanroom
India’s manufacturing sector is experiencing a significant upswing, driven by a shift towards advanced technologies, increased localization, and high-value production. This momentum is highlighted by several promising startups making strides in key industrial areas.
Recent developments underscore investor confidence in the sector. Ethereal Machines, a precision manufacturing startup, secured $28.5 million, signaling strong backing for companies building core industrial infrastructure. Large enterprises are also expanding their manufacturing footprint, with Reliance Retail planning dedicated manufacturing platforms for various consumer goods.
The government continues to support the domestic manufacturing ecosystem through policy and infrastructure investments. Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently inaugurated Jabil’s advanced manufacturing facility in Pune, emphasizing the growing importance of AI data centers, electronics manufacturing, and localized supply chains in India’s industrial strategy.
Against this backdrop, several manufacturing startups have emerged as key players to watch. These companies are innovating across diverse areas, from autonomous cargo aircraft and aerospace components to clean-air hardware, advanced electronic substrates, and industrial robotics.
Airth: Revolutionizing Air Purification
Founded in 2020, Airth develops filtration technologies that transform existing air conditioners into air purification systems. Their FILTRIX technology, tested in collaboration with institutions like IISc Bengaluru and IIT Kanpur, addresses the growing need for affordable and effective indoor air quality solutions. Airth has already upgraded over 75,000 ACs across India, serving both residential and commercial clients.
Aspera Industries: Pioneering Autonomous Cargo Aircraft
Established in 2025, Aspera Industries is developing autonomous amphibious aircraft for logistics. The Bengaluru-based startup aims to provide a more cost-effective and faster alternative to traditional air freight, targeting logistics providers, freight forwarders, and defense organizations. Aspera is focusing initially on markets in Australia and Southeast Asia, with India as a long-term objective.
Estro Tech Robotics: Enhancing Retail with Robotics
Estro Tech Robotics, founded in 2020, operates at the intersection of robotics and retail marketing. Their flagship product, RobAd, is an automated interactive device designed to enhance shopper engagement in retail environments. By combining physical presence with interactive marketing, RobAd aims to boost product visibility and sales for brands across India’s expanding organized retail sector.
FledgeTec Systems: Precision Engineering for Aerospace and Defense
Founded in 2021, FledgeTec Systems specializes in precision engineering and aerospace manufacturing. The company develops custom-built components, assemblies, and engineering solutions for the aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors. FledgeTec’s comprehensive capabilities, spanning machining, sheet metal fabrication, and embedded systems, position it to capitalize on India’s growing precision aerospace components market.
Helionis Labs: Developing Next-Gen Electronics Substrates
Helionis Labs, a 2024 startup, is focused on advanced materials for electronics manufacturing. They develop insulated metal substrate (IMS) boards, crucial for managing heat in products like electric vehicles and LED lighting. Helionis’s innovative process, which prints dielectric material directly onto aluminum, offers improved heat dissipation and reduced manufacturing costs, targeting the global IMS market.
These startups represent the dynamic innovation occurring within India’s manufacturing landscape, contributing to the nation’s ambition to become a global manufacturing hub.
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