VU Dynamics, a cutting-edge aerospace startup incubated at the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, has announced a strategic collaboration with Prakash Asphaltings & Toll Highways (India) Limited (PATH Group), a leading infrastructure company. This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s indigenous capabilities in defence manufacturing through the co-development of state-of-the-art aerial platforms.

The collaboration brings together VU Dynamics’ innovation-led aerospace engineering with PATH Group’s proven executional expertise in large-scale infrastructure. By uniting complementary strengths - deep-tech product development and robust implementation capabilities, the two organizations aim to deliver high-performance, indigenous aerial systems for strategic applications, contributing to the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Founded by Prof. Subrahmanyam Saderla, Associate Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Kanpur, and Dr. Sravanthi Saderla, VU Dynamics specializes in the design and manufacturing of next-generation aerial systems for defence and civilian use. These platforms are embedded with proprietary technologies that ensure long endurance, operational simplicity, and cost efficiency developed entirely in India.

Commenting on this development Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, stated, “It is a matter of great pride that a startup incubated on campus by a young faculty member Dr. Saderla, has attracted significant investment due to its innovative solutions in UAV space. I am sure that this partnership will achieve great success contributing towards our goal of creating impactful technological solutions.”

Prof. Subrahmanyam Saderla, Co-founder, VU Dynamics, remarked, “Our collaboration with PATH marks a pivotal step in scaling our aerial technologies for real-world impact. PATH’s operational depth and commitment to nation-building make them an ideal partner as we work toward strengthening India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities.”

Mr. Nitin Agarwal, Managing Director, PATH Group, said, “We’ve always admired the innovation emerging from institutions like IIT Kanpur. Taking these innovations to production scale is a major achievement. We are proud to support VU Dynamics and contribute to the national goal of technological self-reliance in defence.”

Mr. Anurag Singh, CEO, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, added, “This collaboration exemplifies the transformative potential of partnerships between startups and industry leaders. It is a powerful demonstration of how deep-tech innovation can be channelled into strategic national assets.”

This partnership, anchored by the support of SIIC, IIT Kanpur, one of India’s premier technology business incubators, demonstrates the potential of academia-industry collaborations in scaling deep-tech solutions to meet national priorities.

The PATH Group, led by Mr. Nitin Agarwal (Managing Director), Mr. Nipun Agrawal (Director), and Mr. Saksham Agrawal (Director), is a prominent player in India’s infrastructure sector. The company’s portfolio spans traditional EPC projects to modern Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models including BOT, DBFOT, OMT, Annuity, and HAM. With operations rooted in Central India, PATH’s expertise covers the complete infrastructure lifecycle from planning and design to construction, IT integration, and long-term maintenance.

With this alliance, VU Dynamics and PATH Group are poised to drive forward the indigenization of critical defence technologies laying the groundwork for a self-reliant, innovation-led future in Indian aerospace.

About IIT Kanpur:

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, established in 1959, is recognized as an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has significantly contributed to research and development over the decades. Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts various academic and research resources. The institute comprises 19 departments, 26 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and two specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur fosters innovation and academic rigor.

About VU Dynamics

VU Dynamics, established in 2022 at IIT Kanpur's SIIC, is a deep-tech aerospace startup developing advanced aerial platforms, UAV launchers, and simulation modules for defense and civilian use. The company focuses on indigenous solutions for surveillance and terrain mapping, ensuring operational readiness with real-time surveillance and precision payload delivery. Its simulator modules provide realistic training for pilots, enhancing mission readiness. VU Dynamics is committed to advancing aerospace innovation in India.

About PATH

Prakash Asphaltings & Toll Highways (India) Ltd. (PATH) is one of Central India’s most respected infrastructure companies, with decades of experience in road and bridge construction. Renowned for delivering projects marked by efficiency, quality, and reliability, PATH operates across the full spectrum of infrastructure development. Its expertise spans traditional EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) contracts as well as modern Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models including BOT, DBFOT, OMT, Annuity, and HAM.

About SIIC, IIT Kanpur

The Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is one of India’s oldest and most active technology business incubators. SIIC supports innovation-driven startups in diverse sectors, including aerospace, healthcare, energy, and deep tech. With a robust infrastructure, strong mentorship ecosystem, and strategic government and industry partnerships, SIIC enables startups to move from lab-scale prototypes to market-ready solutions.

SIIC plays a pivotal role in advancing India’s innovation landscape and fostering entrepreneurship aligned with national goals such as self-reliance and technology leadership through its programs, funding access, and institutional support.

For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in.