Tamil Nadu-based drone startup Yali Aerospace has announced a strategic investment from SaaS giant Zoho to propel the development and deployment of its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones.
Transforming Healthcare Delivery
Founded in 2022 by the husband-wife duo Dinesh Baluraj and Anugraha, Yali Aerospace is on a mission to revolutionize healthcare delivery, particularly in rural India. The startup specializes in manufacturing VTOL drones and aims to bridge the gap between primary healthcare centers in rural areas and government hospitals in cities to prevent maternity deaths and fatalities from snake bites.
Leveraging Breakthrough Technology
Yali Aerospace manufactures VTOL drones equipped with autonomous docking stations and other subsystems, including flight controllers and navigation systems, in-house. The company’s innovative drones facilitate the long-distance transportation of critical medical commodities such as organs, blood supplies, and essential medical items, significantly enhancing healthcare accessibility in remote regions.
Strategic Partnership with Zoho
The investment from Zoho underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging technology for social impact. Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu was impressed by Yali Aerospace’s potential to transform healthcare services during a visit to the startup’s facility. This investment not only validates Yali Aerospace’s breakthrough capabilities but also demonstrates Zoho’s belief in the startup’s ability to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector.
Advancing Technological Milestones
Yali Aerospace’s current VTOL drone model boasts a 7 kg payload capacity and a range of 150 km per hour. The startup is gearing up to launch its first pilot project in September this year and is actively pursuing Type certification for its drone within the next two months. The investment from Zoho will accelerate Yali Aerospace’s manufacturing capabilities, facilitating progress towards certification and expanding its reach beyond India, with potential pilot projects in Africa.
Thriving Drone Market in India
India’s drone technology landscape is witnessing rapid growth, with over 200 startups in the sector having collectively secured more than $140 million in investment since 2014. The Indian drone market is projected to reach $13 billion by 2030, driven by increased adoption across various industries, including healthcare and ecommerce. Yali Aerospace competes with leading players such as Redwing Labs and Skye Air in this burgeoning market.
Zoho’s Diversification Strategy
Zoho’s investment in Yali Aerospace aligns with its broader strategy of diversifying its offerings. Earlier this year, Zoho launched Zakya, a new business division aimed at empowering retail businesses with comprehensive solutions for billing, accounting, ecommerce, mobile billing, mobile store management, and back-office tasks.
The partnership between Yali Aerospace and Zoho represents a synergy between cutting-edge technology and social impact. With Zoho’s support, Yali Aerospace is poised to drive innovation in healthcare delivery and expand its footprint, ultimately improving access to essential medical services in underserved communities. As the Indian drone market continues to evolve, Yali Aerospace is well-positioned to lead the charge in leveraging drone technology for positive societal change.
