While Aero India 2023 is bustling with activity, a group of startups and MSMEs from Karnataka are quietly making their presence felt with their creative range of products. The Karnataka Udyog Mitra stall at the 14th edition of India’s international air show has attracted 24 organizations, who have set up shop and garnered attention for their innovative offerings.
Compared to their corporate and global counterparts at Aero India 2023, these few entrepreneurs in the aerospace sector, being startups and MSMEs, may not have the same level of recognition and brand awareness.
Nonetheless, these home-grown companies are compensating for the lack of recognition with their impressive range of developed or innovative products. For instance, NopoNano Technologies, based in Bengaluru, is involved in the production of single-walled carbon nanotubes that have diverse applications in the aerospace industry.
Aero India visitors are expressing a growing interest in nanotubes, which have diverse applications such as coatings for aircraft, use in batteries, and in semiconductors.
According to Gadadhar Reddy, the founder of NopoNano Technologies, an aerospace startup located in Bengaluru, they are currently focusing on the development of single-walled carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes are considered an advanced material that has the potential to shape the future of aircraft and spacecraft. The company has successfully manufactured this material in Electronic City, which is situated in Karnataka, Bangalore. The nanotubes are incredibly small, approximately one lakh times smaller than a hair strand, and are produced with atomic precision.
At Aero India 2023, a number of entrepreneurs from Karnataka have demonstrated that there are no longer any limits to what can be achieved. Bengaluru, where the headquarters of the nation’s space programme is located, is also home to numerous defence organisations and public sector units. Local micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have utilized their technical and scientific expertise to participate in a variety of exciting projects on land, sea, air, and even in space
Aidin Technologies Pvt Ltd, a micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) that has been based in Bengaluru for the past 15 years, has made a name for itself by creating state-of-the-art products for organizations such as ISRO and BE. Their success story includes the creation of a space RF product subsystem for all satellites, as well as a data link modem that is employed in aerial target vehicles or UAVs. However, according to Harish, the CMD of Audin Technologies, their accomplishments do not end there.
Harish, the CMD of Audin Technologies, mentioned that their company has also been chosen to participate in the Indian human space flight programme. They have been contracted to carry out the avionics interphase and to design the bio-based electronics package that will be employed to monitor the astronauts’ health parameters during their space mission.
According to the homegrown entrepreneurs at Aero India 2023, the success of these relatively small enterprises in a highly competitive sector can be attributed to a number of factors. First and foremost, the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region has provided these businesses with ample opportunities for growth and innovation. Additionally, the proximity to potential clients in the form of space, aerospace, and defence establishments has allowed for closer collaboration and quicker response times. Finally, the support of the Karnataka state government has been instrumental in enabling these businesses to succeed and expand.
