Coratia Technologies, an Indian deep-tech startup developing underwater robotic systems, has raised ₹18 crore in a bridge funding round led by MGF Kavachh. The company will use the capital to execute its ₹66 crore Indian Navy contract, accelerate research and development, and expand manufacturing and deployment capabilities.
Co-founded in 2021 by Debendra Pradhan and Biswajit Swain, the Odisha-based startup develops indigenous underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for defence, industrial inspection and critical infrastructure. The latest investment follows its ₹17 crore pre-Series A round, which included MGF Kavachh, Piper and SIDBI.
The funding comes as Coratia moves from technology development towards larger-scale manufacturing and delivery for defence and industrial customers.
Rs 66 Crore Indian Navy Contract Drives Expansion
A key priority for Coratia is delivering its ₹66 crore contract with the Indian Navy under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative. The contract, signed in September 2025, covers indigenous underwater robotic systems for ship-hull cleaning, minor salvage operations and inspection of submerged infrastructure.
The bridge funding will help the company strengthen its manufacturing capacity, advance new products and build the operational capabilities needed to fulfil the contract.
Coratia’s flagship product, Jalasimha UWROV, has achieved Technology Readiness Level 9 (TRL-9), the highest level on the technology-readiness scale, indicating a system demonstrated in an operational environment. The company says the platform is designed for underwater inspection and maintenance at depths of up to 300 metres.
Underwater Robotics Beyond Defence
Coratia’s technology has applications beyond naval operations. Its potential markets include dams and reservoirs, ports, bridges, pipelines, offshore assets, ship infrastructure and subsea communication networks.
The company works with organisations including the Indian Navy, Indian Oil, Indian Railways, Tata Steel, Hindalco Industries, Steel Authority of India, Neelachal Ispat Nigam and Jindal Steel and Power, as well as NIT Rourkela, according to the company’s reported customer and partner list.
Underwater robots can help inspect submerged structures and collect data in environments where visibility is poor or human-diver operations are difficult. Such systems can support maintenance and inspection while reducing the need to expose divers to hazardous conditions.
MGF Kavachh Backs Indigenous Deep-Tech Manufacturing
The latest round represents a follow-on investment by MGF Kavachh, which backed Coratia before it secured the Navy contract. The earlier ₹17 crore pre-Series A round included Piper and SIDBI.
For Debendra Pradhan and Biswajit Swain, the next challenge is to turn an operationally validated technology into a reliable manufacturing and deployment business. Underwater robotics requires multiple systems, including cameras, sensors, navigation, control and mechanical components, to work together in demanding conditions.
Rs 18 crore investment provides additional capital for that transition. Coratia’s progress will depend on executing its Navy programme, maintaining technical reliability and converting its capabilities into repeat business across defence and critical infrastructure.
The broader opportunity lies in developing Indian underwater robotics for domestic requirements while building the engineering and manufacturing expertise needed to serve other markets.
