Drone infrastructure startup NxtQube raises funding led by Venture Catalysts

Drone infrastructure startup NxtQube has raised an undisclosed amount in a seed funding round led by Venture Catalysts, an incubator and accelerator platform in India.

The round also saw participation from Pontaq VC (STPI NxtVentures), Ananta Bizcon LLP, Rushikesh Bhandari, and other angel investors. 

What does NxtQube do?

Founded in April 2022 by Nikhil Rajput, NxtQube is at the forefront of developing automation solutions tailored for the drone industry.

The startup's flagship product, a universal drone docking station, is designed to handle critical tasks such as drone landing and takeoff, flight monitoring, charging, and data extraction.

The docking station is a versatile, modular system capable of integrating with various drones, eliminating the need for on-field pilots in operations like surveillance, monitoring, and logistics.

Operating on a hybrid business model 

NxtQube operates on a hybrid business model that combines capital expenditure for the docking stations with subscription and perpetual license options for its software.

The startup targets the defence and enterprise sectors, focusing on regions such as Asia Pacific, Europe, and the US.

It aims to serve the growing demand for autonomous drone operations, with a market potential of around 2 million drones globally.

Leadership comments

Nikhil Rajput, Co-Founder & CEO of NxtQube, said, "Our technology is designed to complement the existing drone ecosystem, providing a solution that enhances efficiency and autonomy. This seed round is a testament to the market's recognition of the critical role infrastructure plays in scaling drone operations. With the support of Venture Catalysts and our other investors, we are poised to accelerate our product development and market expansion."

"NxtQube's innovative approach to drone infrastructure aligns perfectly with the rapidly evolving drone ecosystem. Their universal docking station has the potential to significantly reduce operational costs and increase efficiency in drone deployments. We believe NxtQube is well-positioned to become a global leader in drone infrastructure, catering to the growing demand for autonomous drone operations across various sectors," said Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Co-founder and Managing Director of Venture Catalysts.