Chennai deeptech startup Vikra Ocean Tech raises $1 million to build indigenous ocean robotics stack

Chennai-based deeptech startup Vikra Ocean Tech has raised $1 million in a seed funding round led by Finvolve, with participation from India Accelerator.

The startup will use the raised capital to scale product manufacturing, strengthen its sales pipeline across defence and public sector undertakings (PSUs), and establish recurring revenue streams through service contracts and annual maintenance agreements.

Founded in 2019, Vikra Ocean Tech is working on what it claims is India’s first fully indigenous ocean robotics stack for underwater and surface operations.

The startup is building a modular ecosystem that includes deep-water remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous surface vessels (ASVs), amphibious crawling robots, and AI-enabled imaging and communication systems.

Vikra Ocean Tech said its technology is designed to reduce India’s dependence on imported underwater robotics by offering cost-effective solutions tailored for defence, subsea inspection, hydrographic surveys, and disaster response. Its systems are integrated through a unified control platform and supported by in-house hardware such as cameras, lighting, diver communication tools, and AI-based video enhancement systems.

The startup claims to have received two iDEX grants from the Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard, along with multiple innovation awards. Vikra has also developed a deep-ocean camera and lighting system capable of operating at depths of up to 2,000 metres. Its autonomous surface vessels are being used in offshore marine exploration.

Ashish Bhatia, Co-Founder of Finvolve and Founder & CEO of India Accelerator said, “Subsea robotics is fast becoming a strategic priority for India across defence, infrastructure, and disaster response. Vikra Ocean Tech is addressing this need with a fully indigenous, integrated robotics stack that combines deeptech innovation with strong on-ground validation. Their ability to build and deploy scalable, high-performance systems positions them well to lead this space from India.”

Rajagurunathan, Co-Founder, Vikra Ocean Tech, added, “Our vision is to build a globally competitive ocean robotics ecosystem from India. This investment enables us to accelerate product development, scale deployments, and deepen our engagement with defence and industrial stakeholders. We aim to significantly reduce India’s dependence on imported systems while delivering robust, cost-effective solutions built for real-world conditions.”

Rajeuv, Co-Founder, further added, “This investment will strengthen our R&D capabilities, scale manufacturing, and accelerate deployments across defence, offshore energy, research, and marine infrastructure sectors. We are committed to building reliable, world-class technologies that position India as a leader in ocean innovation.”