All India – A new model for nurturing India’s engineering talent is taking shape—one rooted in real-world projects and hands-on industry experience. At the forefront of this movement is BonV Aero, a deep-tech startup specializing in advanced drone solutions. By partnering with academic institutions and empowering students with ownership of innovation, the company is helping transform India’s youth from drone users into global drone innovators.
From Classrooms to Cutting-Edge Labs
BonV Aero’s journey begins in colleges and innovation hubs, including its incubation at the Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) at CV Raman Global University, Odisha. The startup actively recruits young engineers from IIT Mandi and other local engineering colleges, offering them immersive opportunities in research, design, and operational deployment.
“Our goal is not just to build drones, but to nurture the people who will lead the next generation of aerospace innovation in India,” said Satyabrata Satapathy, Co-Founder & CEO, BonV Aero. “From day one, we encourage them to take charge, and their creativity has exceeded expectations.”
Youth-Led Innovations Making Real Impact
BonV Aero’s approach is already producing results that go beyond the lab:
Precision Para-Dropping Mechanism – A student-led team developed a system that enables drones to release supplies mid-air with pinpoint accuracy. After successful testing, it was deployed in live missions.
Disaster Response with Drone Tech – Another group supported a high-stakes rescue mission during the Sikkim landslide, where drones equipped with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) helped the Indian Army identify underground features.
World Record Achievement – One UAV, developed with contributions from young engineers, set a world record by hovering with a 30 kg payload at 19,024 ft AMSL at Umling La Pass—the world’s highest motorable pass. This gave students first-hand experience in systems integration, high-altitude operations, and problem-solving under extreme conditions.
Building Ownership and Indigenous Capability
BonV Aero’s culture empowers young engineers to take ownership of projects and see their contributions translate into real-world impact. By prioritizing indigenous technology, the company ensures that its mission aligns with India’s larger goal of self-reliance in aerospace and defense innovation.
“The energy of these young minds is what drives us,” said Gaurav Achha, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, BonV Aero. “We provide the mentors and the facility, but they are the ones creating solutions to real-world challenges.”
A Blueprint for India’s Drone Future
By combining academic partnerships, industry mentorship, and live operational exposure, BonV Aero is setting a precedent for how India can accelerate its drone and AI industries. The company’s model not only equips students with technical expertise but also instills leadership skills to help them shape the global future of aerospace.
Ultimately, BonV Aero is showing that with the right environment, India’s youth can drive the next wave of indigenous drone innovation—transforming the nation from an emerging market into a world leader in drone technology.
