Shark Tank India 3: India's First Autonomous Spatial AI Drone for Agricultural Farms & Beyond Impresses Shark Aman Gupta
From monitoring crop health and assessing soil conditions to identifying pest infestations and optimizing irrigation patterns, Athera empowers farmers with actionable insights to enhance productivity and sustainability.
In the latest episode of Shark Tank India season three, a Delhi-based robotics company, 'Vecros,' made headlines by showcasing their groundbreaking autonomous spatial AI drone designed specifically for large agricultural farms, construction, energy plants, oil and gas, railways etc. The company managed to secure a lucrative deal with Aman Gupta, co-founder and CMO of BOAT, marking a significant milestone in their journey.
Vecros' Technological Advancement:
Vecros has developed a cutting-edge solution called Athera, which revolutionizes data collection in various industries, including construction, energy plants, oil and gas, utilities, railways, civil security, and emergency response. Traditionally, gathering data in these sectors required human operators to navigate challenging environments, leading to significant costs in terms of money, time, and safety risks. Athera, India's first autonomous spatial AI drone, addresses these challenges by constructing detailed 2D-3D maps autonomously, even in the most demanding conditions.
Deal on Shark Tank India:
During their pitch on Shark Tank India, Vecros' CEO Besta Prem Sai and CTO Rajeshree Deotalu sought funding of Rs one crore for a 2.5 per cent equity stake in their startup. Impressed by their innovation, Aman Gupta struck a deal with Vecros, investing Rs 20 lakh for a one per cent equity stake and providing an additional Rs 80 lakh as debt for three years at a 10 per cent interest rate, with repayment starting after a year. This partnership is poised to accelerate Vecros' growth and propel Athera's adoption in the agricultural sector.
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Impact on Agriculture:
Vecros' Athera drone holds immense potential for transforming agriculture. Equipped with eight cameras and advanced features such as GPS-denied navigation and 360-degree obstacle avoidance using computer vision, Athera can navigate agricultural farms autonomously, capturing vital data for farmers. From monitoring crop health and assessing soil conditions to identifying pest infestations and optimizing irrigation patterns, Athera empowers farmers with actionable insights to enhance productivity and sustainability.
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Pre-Seed Funding Round:
In addition to their success on Shark Tank India, Vecros also secured $250,000 in a pre-seed funding round led by Rebalance Angel Community. This funding will further fuel Vecros' mission to democratize access to advanced drone technology and expand its presence in the agricultural sector. What began as a small initiative at IIT Delhi has now evolved into India's foremost Spatial AI-powered Drone Systems company, with Vecros leading the way in autonomous spatial AI drone technology.
Vecros' journey from a student group at IIT Delhi to India's leading provider of autonomous spatial AI drones exemplifies the power of innovation and entrepreneurship. With their groundbreaking technology, Vecros is poised to revolutionize the agricultural sector, empowering farmers with actionable data to optimize their operations and drive sustainable growth. As they continue to garner recognition and support, Vecros is set to make a lasting impact on agriculture and beyond.
Also Read: Drone Revolution in Goa Agriculture: Addressing Labor Shortages and Boosting Productivity