• Titan Capital has launched a new investment vertical to support Indian defence-tech startups in hardware, aerospace, cybersecurity, and manufacturing.
  • The Indian government’s defence budget for FY 2025–26 stands at INR 6.81 lakh crore, with schemes like iDEX and TDF aiding innovation.

Titan Capital, one of India’s most prolific seed-stage venture firms, has launched a dedicated investment vertical to back startups in the defence and strategic technology sectors.

With a focus on advanced hardware, aerospace, cybersecurity, and manufacturing, the firm aims to plug funding gaps in a sector still dominated by public procurement and R&D.

Responding to Rising Geopolitical Tensions

As global uncertainties escalate and warfare technologies like AI, drones, and satellites evolve rapidly, Titan sees a critical need for private capital to accelerate India’s defence capabilities.

This move comes as part of a broader push for self-reliance, with India already making strides in areas like digital infrastructure and semiconductors.

The new vertical seeks to foster indigenous innovation that not only addresses national security challenges but also boosts deep-tech entrepreneurship and high-value job creation.

Titan Capital intends to invest in startups at the intersection of defence utility and commercial scalability, supporting India’s ambition to become a net exporter of strategic tech.

“We are at a historic inflection point where national security, deep-tech innovation, and startup agility are converging,” said Kunal Bahl, Co-founder of Titan Capital.
“India cannot achieve true self-reliance in defence by relying on imports or public funding alone. We need to back our brightest minds—engineers, researchers, and builders—to create sovereign, dual-use technologies that can shape not just India’s future, but the future of global defence.”

Global Momentum, Local Impact

This move mirrors international trends: U.S.-based Anduril Industries recently raised $1.5 billion, and Europe’s Helsing secured €450 million to develop AI-enabled defence platforms.

Domestically, with the defence budget reaching INR 6.81 lakh crore for FY 2025–26 and schemes like iDEX and TDF underway, Titan Capital’s new arm could serve as a vital link between policy, innovation, and capital.

With over 250 portfolio companies, including Ola, Razorpay, and OfBusiness, Titan is now setting its sights on fuelling India’s next wave of nation-building tech.

Edited by Annette George