Shark Tank India Startup Coratia Technologies Raises Rs 5 Crore to Transform Underwater Robotics
Odisha-based deeptech startup Coratia Technologies, known for its groundbreaking underwater robotics and a memorable appearance on Shark Tank India, has raised Rs 5 crore in a fresh funding round led by Piper Serica Angel Fund. The investment is another big milestone in the company’s rapid rise in the underwater technology sector, placing it among the top deeptech innovators emerging from India.
Founded in 2021 by Debendra Pradhan and Biswajit Swain, Coratia has become a name to reckon with in autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, which are used for defence operations, subsea inspections, industrial monitoring and deep-water maintenance. With India’s focus shifting toward ocean exploration, maritime security and infrastructure development, Coratia’s technologies are gaining both national and global attention.
What the Funding Means for Coratia’s Next Phase
With the newly secured Rs 5 crore, Coratia plans to double down on its research and development, scale up manufacturing and strengthen its existing lineup of underwater drones. A major part of the investment will also be directed toward international expansion, allowing the startup to tap into global blue economy markets where underwater robotics play a key role.
The founders emphasise that this round is not just about scaling production; it is about building world-class, indigenously developed systems that match global standards in subsea analytics, surveillance and maintenance.
The Products Powering Coratia’s Growth
Coratia is currently building four major underwater systems that define its technological landscape:
Jalasimha
A heavyweight AUV designed for deep-sea inspections and defence-related missions. It can perform long-duration underwater tasks, making it ideal for maritime security and border surveillance.
Jaladuta
A versatile underwater drone that provides real-time analytics for industrial and environmental applications, such as dam inspections, pipeline monitoring and subsea structure assessments.
Oceanus
Engineered for complex subsea operations, Oceanus is capable of advanced mapping, infrastructure inspection and data analytics across underwater assets.
Navya
A more compact, agile AUV developed for research institutions, educational use and small-scale underwater surveys.
Together, these systems form the backbone of Coratia’s mission to establish India as a powerhouse in subsea robotics.
Backed by Top Incubators and Investors
Coratia has received strong support from some of the country’s leading technology incubators, including:
- NIT Rourkela’s FTBI
- STPI Bhubaneswar Electropreneur Park
- Startup Odisha
- i-Hub Gujarat
The startup’s investor network is equally impressive. In July 2025, deeptech-focused funds MGF Kavachh and Pontaq Ventures jointly invested over Rs 17 crore to fuel Coratia’s vision. This earlier investment came at a crucial time when India was aggressively pushing for technological self-reliance in defence and marine industries.
In addition to all this, Coratia gained nationwide visibility after appearing on Shark Tank India Season 3, where the founders received an offer from OYO’s Ritesh Agarwal. Their pitch showcased India’s potential to build highly advanced AUVs at a fraction of the global cost, a factor that impressed both investors and viewers.
The Founders’ Vision: Building a Global Supply Chain from India
Debendra Pradhan, Co-Founder and CEO, highlights the long-term mission:
“This investment goes a long way to support our vision to transform underwater robotics and strengthen India’s position within the global blue economy. We are building a global supply chain from India. Our focus remains on developing and exporting indigenously developed capabilities that serve both strategic and commercial needs across friendly markets.”
His statement underscores a core goal: tapping into the multi-billion-dollar global demand for underwater systems while ensuring that India becomes a key supplier of cutting-edge maritime technology.
Biswajit Swain, Co-Founder and CTO, emphasizes innovation under extreme environments:
“We’re building systems that redefine operational efficiency and reliability under extreme environments at a fraction of the cost globally.”
This commitment sets Coratia apart from competitors who often rely on expensive imported components and systems. By building everything in-house, the startup keeps costs controlled and maintains full control over its intellectual property.
Investor Confidence: Coratia’s Strong Technological Moat
The funding round led by Piper Serica Angel Fund reflects a strong belief in Coratia’s future.
Ajay Modi, Director of Investments at Piper Serica, said:
“We’re proud to back Coratia as it redefines underwater robotics and accelerates India’s rise as a technology powerhouse by 2030. Debendra and Biswajit have built an exceptional technological moat, and the landmark Navy order is powerful proof of Coratia’s potential. The company is poised for rapid growth.”
The mention of a landmark Navy order is a critical indication of trust from one of the country’s most strategic institutions. Defence adoption not only validates the technology but also positions the startup for long-term contracts and international defence collaboration opportunities.
Why Underwater Robotics Is the Next Big Frontier
Underwater robotics is expected to become one of the fastest-growing deeptech sectors in the coming decade. Several global forces are accelerating this shift:
- Rising demand for maritime surveillance
- Increasing underwater infrastructure such as pipelines, cables and ports
- Climate research and ocean data analytics
- Offshore wind energy and renewable installations
- Growing emphasis on blue economy development
India, with its vast coastline and expanding naval capabilities, is uniquely positioned to become a key player. However, the country has been heavily dependent on imports for high-end maritime tech. Coratia is among the few Indian companies trying to change that narrative by building indigenous subsea robotics that can compete globally.
Coratia’s Journey Reflects India’s Deeptech Transformation
The rise of Coratia from an Odisha-based idea to a deeptech powerhouse demonstrates how India’s innovation landscape is evolving. The country is witnessing a boom in sectors such as robotics, AI, semiconductor design, space technology and electric mobility.
Incubation programs, government initiatives, early-stage funds and platforms like Shark Tank are helping more founders turn high-tech ideas into commercially viable businesses. Coratia’s success is a testament to the potential of founders coming not just from metro cities but from smaller towns with strong engineering talent.
What’s Next for Coratia Technologies?
The next couple of years will be crucial as the startup plans to:
- Expand its R&D team and develop advanced prototypes
- Scale manufacturing to meet defence and industrial demands
- Enter new international markets across Asia, the Middle East and Europe
- Strengthen global partnerships in subsea engineering
- Build a more robust supply chain entirely within India
If successful, Coratia could become one of the world’s leading producers of low-cost, high-efficiency autonomous underwater vehicles.
Conclusion
Coratia Technologies is not just another startup securing funding; it represents the frontier of India’s deeptech revolution. With strong investor backing, advanced in-house engineering, and a vision to build a global supply chain from India, the company is well on its way to reshaping underwater robotics.
Its Rs 5 crore funding round marks another major step towards transforming India into a maritime technology leader by 2030. As global interest in the blue economy continues to rise, Coratia’s innovations may become key assets in both commercial and strategic domains.
