Sanlayan Raises Rs 186 Cr to Expand Indigenous Defence Electronics

Sanlayan Technologies, a Bengaluru-based aerospace and defence startup founded in 2023 by former Zetwerk executives, has raised ₹186 crore in a Series A funding round led by marquee investors including Ashish Kacholia, Lashit Sanghvi, and Jungle Ventures. The startup specializes in developing advanced electronic systems for avionics, naval operations, radar infrastructure, and space applications, contributing to key projects such as Chandrayaan-3 and India's unmanned underwater vehicle program. Sanlayan follows a three-pronged strategy of acquiring Indian defence MSMEs, developing in-house technologies, and forging global partnerships, recently acquiring a majority stake in embedded systems firm Dexcel Electronics, known for its work on Jaguar, Sukhoi, and LCA Tejas programs. With the fresh capital, Sanlayan plans to significantly expand its engineering team and invest in critical technologies like electronic warfare and counter-unmanned aerial systems, aiming to support large-scale indigenization and upgrade programs. Investors highlighted the startup's strong operational execution and strategic discipline, viewing it as a key player accelerating indigenous defence electronics capabilities crucial for national security. The funding round also included participation from existing investors Gemba Capital, Singularity Ventures, and new investor Shastra VC, reinforcing confidence in Sanlayan's growth trajectory.