Latest news with #AatmanirbharBharat
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Raphe mPhibr raises $100 million in landmark defence drone funding round
In a major boost to India's indigenous defence tech sector, drone manufacturer Raphe mPhibr has secured $100 million in fresh funding, marking the largest private fundraise in the country's drone industry to date, The Times of India reported. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Think Investments, Amal Parikh, and several family offices. With this, the total capital raised by the company has reached $145 million. Drones made by Raphe mPhibr were deployed during the recent Operation Sindoor in May. The new funding will be used to scale up Raphe mPhibr's end-to-end capabilities in aircraft design, engineering, and production. The company plans to enhance its facilities to better meet India's growing demand for homegrown aerospace technologies, the news report said. 'This funding is more than an investment; it is a commitment to build in India what the country can no longer afford to import,' the company said in a statement, aligning its mission with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Raphe mPhibr's product lineup: From drone swarms to maritime reconnaissance Founded in 2016, Raphe mPhibr offers a wide range of defence-grade UAVs: -mR10: A drone swarm platform for coordinated missions -mR20: Designed for high-altitude logistics delivery -Bharat Drone: A man-portable surveillance solution -X8: Built for maritime patrol and reconnaissance Raphe mPhibr was established by Vikash Mishra and Vivek Mishra, two technologists with deep roots in aerospace and engineering. Vikash is an MIT-trained aerospace engineer with past experience at Idaho National Laboratory and CERN, while Vivek holds a PhD from Georgia Tech and has worked extensively in bio-inspired algorithms and sensor networks. Expanding India's indigenous defence ecosystem The company operates a comprehensive aerospace manufacturing campus, staffed by over 600 employees and housing specialised departments in aerodynamics, structural mechanics, thermodynamics, materials science, and electronics. It claims to have logged over one million km of flight across its platforms and developed more than 100 unique intellectual properties. Its manufacturing capabilities include facilities for metal processing, composite materials, engine development, and military-grade electronics, enabling it to build equipment that performs in extreme conditions — ranging from deserts to high-altitude mountains and marine environments.
The Print
a day ago
- Business
- The Print
MSMEs are foundation of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat': CM Yogi Adityanath
'MSME units are the foundation of an 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat',' the chief minister said in a post on his official X handle. He made the remarks on the occasion of International MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Day. Lucknow, Jun 27 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday said MSMEs are the backbone of a self-reliant India. 'Heartfelt wishes to all entrepreneurs who, through their tireless efforts, are advancing Uttar Pradesh towards self-reliance,' Adityanath said. Further, he said, 'Under the guidance of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the double-engine government is continuously working to promote enterprise and entrepreneurship.' According to an official, the chief minister is scheduled to launch several schemes at a programme being held at Lok Bhawan in Lucknow on Friday as part of the International MSME Day celebrations. The event is aimed at boosting employment, entrepreneurship, and giving global recognition to local products. Special benefits will be provided to youth and artisans, the official said. Adityanath will also launch the CM-Yuva Mobile App during the event. PTI KIS SHW SHW This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Scientists in India turn sunlight into fuel - Green hydrogen tech could power homes, cars
New Delhi: In a development that could significantly advance India's green hydrogen ambitions, scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have designed and tested a next-generation device that produces green hydrogen by directly splitting water molecules using sunlight and earth-abundant materials. Unlike the conventional route—where solar panels generate electricity that powers an electrolyser to split water—this new system uses a direct photoelectrochemical (PEC) process. Here, sunlight itself triggers the water-splitting reaction, eliminating the need for an external power supply or fossil-fuel-based backup. This makes the process simpler, more efficient, and potentially cheaper. The research, led by Dr Ashutosh K. Singh and his team at CeNS—an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)—focuses on building a sustainable and scalable system for green hydrogen generation. The work has been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The device and its design At the core of the innovation is a novel silicon-based photoanode featuring an n-i-p heterojunction architecture. This includes layers of n-type titanium dioxide (TiO₂), intrinsic silicon (Si), and p-type nickel oxide (NiO). The structure enhances light absorption, improves charge separation, and ensures efficient charge transport—critical for direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion. The materials were deposited using magnetron sputtering, a commercial-scale thin-film technique known for precision layering and structural stability. The device operated in alkaline electrolyte conditions and maintained structural integrity over extended hours of use. Key performance indicators The prototype achieved a surface photovoltage of 600 millivolts and a low onset potential of 0.11 volts versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE), indicating high photoelectrochemical efficiency and a low energy threshold. It ran continuously for over 10 hours under simulated solar irradiation with only a 4% drop in performance. 'The heterostructure was specifically designed to maximise PEC efficiency while maintaining long-term stability,' said Dr Singh. 'This brings us closer to building practical, fossil-fuel-free hydrogen systems.' Scalability and impact To demonstrate scalability, the team tested a 25 cm² photoanode, which performed effectively under solar water-splitting conditions. This scale-up shows promise for moving from lab to pilot applications and potentially to commercial hydrogen production. The device's design avoids rare-earth or high-cost catalysts, does not require high pressure or temperature, and is compatible with different lithium-ion battery chemistries for renewable storage integration—making it flexible and economically viable. National relevance The innovation supports India's clean energy goals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. By producing green hydrogen directly from sunlight without relying on electricity or imported materials, the device contributes to energy self-reliance and carbon-neutral fuel alternatives for mobility, power generation, and industry. According to the DST, such breakthroughs can accelerate India's leadership in solar hydrogen technology and help build decentralised hydrogen hubs with localised energy ecosystems. Outlook The CeNS team is exploring further scale-up pathways, industry partnerships, and integration into existing hydrogen infrastructure. They also plan to test the device in varied climatic conditions to assess long-term field performance across India. If successful, the technology could help build round-the-clock renewable energy systems, especially in sectors where direct electrification is difficult—offering a new route to affordable and indigenous green hydrogen at scale. te long-term field applications.
Business Upturn
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
Raphe mPhibr Secures $100M to Expand Aircraft Design and Manufacturing in India
NEW DELHI, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Raphe mPhibr (रेफी एम फाइबर), India's most innovative aircraft manufacturing company, announced today that it has raised $100 million in a round led by General Catalyst, with participation from existing investors, including Amal Parikh, Think Investments, and other prominent high-net-worth family offices. This is the largest round of private funding raised by an Indian company in this industry to date and takes Raphe mPhibr's total capital raised to $145 million. 'We are proud to join forces with Raphe mPhibr on their transformative journey to redefine engineering-led manufacturing across a spectrum of critical applications,' said Neeraj Arora, Managing Director at General Catalyst. 'What sets this team apart is their unwavering, mission-driven ethos, coupled with an expansive vision and formidable technological depth. The products emerging from Raphe mPhibr are already making a tangible impact on the ground, signalling what we believe will be a monumental shift. Their work is not only accelerating India's path to strategic self-reliance but also embodies the essence of our Global Resilience thesis at General Catalyst—building for a future that is secure, sovereign, and sustainable.' 'Raphe mPhibr is uniquely positioned to develop cutting-edge aircrafts and UAVs given their robust, end-to-end design, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities,' shared Shashin Shah, Managing Partner, Think Investments. 'We are excited to deepen our partnership with the Raphe mPhibr team, and this investment underscores our conviction that it will emerge as one of the foremost aerospace companies in India.' Built with Purpose Founded nearly a decade ago, Raphe mPhibr grew alongside India's national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India. These policies laid the foundation for building essential technologies within the country, especially in defence, where the needs of security forces continue to evolve in a complex and fast-changing world. Raphe mPhibr was born to serve that mission: to design and build solutions in India for those who protect it. Inspired by Nature Raphe mPhibr's engineering has always drawn from a timeless source: nature. As Aryabhata wrote, nature operates through laws and patterns that reveal themselves through observation and analysis. That philosophy shapes how the company builds and organises itself. Raphe mPhibr is built around strong engineering and science departments, with dedicated teams in aerodynamics, materials science, structural mechanics, vibrations, thermodynamics, electromagnetics, and more. Not just to model the world, but to build systems that move with its logic, not against it. Turning observations into working solutions demanded more than insight; it required capability. To deliver technology that India's forces could rely on in mountains, deserts, oceans, and beyond, Raphe mPhibr had to create India's most advanced, end-to-end aerospace manufacturing campus. Building End-to-End 'India has single-handedly developed its technology […] without spying or stealing the knowledge from other countries.' — Dr. R. Chidambaram, in his Science Popularisation Lecture at the 2019 Goa Science Film Festival. That belief in building with integrity and technical depth continues at Raphe mPhibr. The company didn't set out to assemble parts, it set out to engineer solutions end-to-end. And to do so, Raphe mPhibr created a campus where design, simulation, manufacturing, and testing all work together, under one roof. As a result, the headquarters houses India's most advanced metal processing, composite manufacturing, engine design and testing, and military-grade electronics facility. Every manufacturing centre was designed with a single goal: to deliver systems our security forces can rely on. Many of these systems are already in the field: mR10: The world's first operational drone swarm. The world's first operational drone swarm. mR20: The world's first high-altitude logistics platform for resupply in remote forward areas. The world's first high-altitude logistics platform for resupply in remote forward areas. Bharat: A lightweight man-carried drone for rapid surveillance in complex terrain. A lightweight man-carried drone for rapid surveillance in complex terrain. X8: A compact platform for maritime patrol and situational awareness at sea. They help teams move faster, see further, and stay safer. Other products are in the making too, currently in the final stages of validation. And their echoes are now being heard far beyond India, in Paris, Dubai, and London, where Raphe mPhibr's engineering is increasingly shaping the global discourse. The company's motto, 'We innovate for a better society', guides how the company works and the partners it chooses. Raphe mPhibr partners with national institutions, in line with the mission laid out by India's Prime Minister: Make in India, innovate in India, and become truly Aatmanirbhar. It also works with international partners such as Dassault Systèmes, HENSOLDT, and Safran. 'Raphe mPhibr's implementation of our 3DEXPERIENCE platform shows how virtual worlds help innovators achieve speed and sovereignty by accelerating the entire product lifecycle from concept to certification,' noted Olivier Sappin, CEO, CATIA, Dassault Systèmes (France). 'We've worked closely with Raphe mPhibr's teams and seen first-hand their ability to deliver advanced mil-grade electronics and mechanical systems,' stated Oliver Dörre, CEO, HENSOLDT (Germany). 'Raphe mPhibr is a technological and industrial adventure the likes of which can only be found in India. We're proud of the partnership we are building with this company which could become one of the world's major players in the drone industry,' shared Alexandre Ziegler, Executive Vice President, Defense GBU, Safran Electronics & Defense (France) via LinkedIn. People First 'A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself.'— Abraham Maslow, founder of humanistic psychology and one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. All strong philosophies, whether scientific, strategic, or national, ultimately rest on people. And for people to do exceptional work, they must feel safe, supported, and fulfilled. That's why Raphe mPhibr is committed to building not just technology, but culture. A culture that is psychologically safe, emotionally grounded, organically grown, and quietly rigorous. One that helps people become not just better engineers, but better versions of themselves. As the Raphe mPhibr team often says: 'If we eat well, we innovate well.' It's a simple truth that makes Drongans feel good and when people feel good, they build what others think is impossible. Making It in India 'The world is looking at India with new eyes, and it's time we matched our vision with capability.' — Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an annual Independence Day address to the nation. This funding is not just capital; it is a commitment. A commitment to build in India what the country cannot afford to depend on others for. To turn policy into product. To make Aatmanirbhar Bharat not just a campaign, but a living, flying ecosystem. About Raphe mPhibr Raphe mPhibr is India's most innovative aircraft manufacturer. Conceptualised in 2016, the company has logged over 1 million kilometres of flight, delivered the world's first operational drone swarm, and developed India's first indigenous state-of-the-art military grade autopilot, and lightweight internal combustion engine. From metals to composites and electronics, Raphe mPhibr designs and builds everything under one roof. With 600+ team members, over 100 unique IPs, and world-class design and manufacturing facilities, Raphe mPhibr innovates for a better society. Raphe mPhibrAman ChhabraPresident General+91 84477 43095 [email protected]
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Standard
India opens new application window to invite global EV manufacturers
In a push to promote electric vehicle manufacturing in India, a new portal has been launched for the application process under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI). The initiative, unveiled by Union Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy, invites global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to invest and set up local production units. 'The launch of this portal under the SPMEPCI scheme opens new avenues for global electric vehicle manufacturers to invest in India's rapidly evolving automotive landscape,' Kumaraswamy said. Investment from international EV makers can position India as a leading manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. 'This scheme not only supports our national commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2070, but also reinforces our resolve to build a sustainable, innovation-driven economy. It strengthens the pillars of 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat', and positions India as a trusted global hub for next-generation automotive manufacturing and technology leadership,' the minister said. Reliefs linked to investment pledge under SPMEPCI Approved applicants will be allowed to import Completely Built Units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers (e-4Ws). The imported CBUs must have a minimum CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of $35,000. These will be subject to a reduced customs duty of 15 per cent. The concessional duty will be applicable for a period of five years from the date of approval. Approved applicants will be required to make a minimum investment of ₹4,150 crore, as per the provisions of the scheme. Tesla stays away, others join in With the minimum investment threshold of ₹4,150 crore, the scheme is expected to encourage top global and Indian companies to set up long-term manufacturing in India. While Tesla Inc has not shown interest in India's scheme to attract global investment in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, global automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, Škoda Auto Volkswagen, Hyundai Motor, and Kia Motors are keen to participate, Kumaraswamy said. Embassies tapped to boost EV drive India is reaching out to countries like the US, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Vietnam, as well as their respective embassies, to attract investment from global automotive companies to manufacture electric vehicles in India. A four-month window will be given for these companies to apply for SPMEPCI. As of now, Tesla has not shown interest in participating in the scheme. 'Ultimately, we will know which global automakers come on board by October 21,' said Kamran Rizvi, secretary of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
