Odisha’s Growing Innovation Landscape
In recent years, Odisha has quietly emerged as a promising hub for entrepreneurship, with state-led initiatives, investor interest, and policy support attracting a steady flow of capital into technology and infrastructure projects. From IT services to renewable energy, startups in the state are gaining traction in both domestic and global markets. The government has signed several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with technology firms to strengthen digital infrastructure and foster research collaborations. For instance, in 2024, Odisha inked agreements worth over ₹2,000 crore across deep-tech, AI, and renewable energy sectors, signaling its intent to position itself as a key innovation-driven state. Against this backdrop, the recent achievement of an Odisha-based startup in defence robotics underscores the region’s growing role in India’s technological self-reliance journey.
Coratia Technologies’ Landmark Defence Deal
Bhubaneswar-based Coratia Technologies has secured a ₹66 crore ($7.5 million) contract with the Indian Navy to supply and maintain indigenously developed Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (UWROVs). The agreement, signed in the presence of senior naval officials, represents the Navy’s first large-scale induction of Indian-made underwater robotics into active operations.
Coratia has designed advanced platforms such as Jalasimha and Jaladuta—two UWROVs—and Navya, an autonomous surface vessel. Equipped with AI-driven analytics, sonar mapping, and machine learning algorithms, these systems can operate in both defence and civilian environments. Their cost-effective engineering offers India a viable alternative to expensive imports, aligning with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision.
Investor Backing and Growth Prospects
This breakthrough follows Coratia’s successful ₹17.4 crore ($2 million) Pre-Series A funding round in July 2025, led by MGF Kavachh with support from Pontaq Ventures India. The funds are earmarked for expanding research, strengthening intellectual property rights, and pursuing exports.
Investors have hailed Coratia’s ability to deliver indigenous innovation in a sector traditionally dominated by global suppliers. As Raj Sethia of MGF Kavachh explained, supporting Coratia not only strengthens India’s technological sovereignty but also builds resilience against global supply chain uncertainties. With the global underwater robotics market valued at $5.08 billion in 2025 and expected to nearly double by 2030, Coratia is strategically positioned to capture significant share in both defence and civil segments.
Beyond Defence: Civil and Industrial Impact
While naval deployment is a milestone, Coratia’s technologies are already serving diverse sectors. Companies like SAIL, Indian Oil, Indian Railways, and Tata Steel are deploying UWROVs for dam inspections, bridge assessments, marine ecosystem monitoring, and offshore asset management. The systems also play a vital role in subsea cable inspections, disaster recovery, and water quality studies—applications that directly contribute to India’s blue economy.
By diversifying their use cases, Coratia demonstrates how defence innovations can translate into industrial productivity and environmental sustainability. This dual-use model amplifies the startup’s value proposition, extending its relevance beyond military preparedness to broader economic growth.
Strengthening India’s Defence Ecosystem
For the Indian Navy, adopting Coratia’s solutions is a strategic step towards reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and securing cost-effective, cutting-edge technologies domestically. It reflects a larger trend of the armed forces engaging startups through initiatives such as iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), which encourage indigenous development and foster collaboration between innovators and the military.
This deal also highlights a paradigm shift in India’s defence landscape: startups are no longer peripheral players but central contributors to the nation’s strategic capabilities. Their agility and frugal engineering models make them valuable partners in areas where rapid innovation is critical.
Odisha’s Role in India’s Tech Future
The success of Coratia Technologies is more than just a commercial contract—it is a symbol of Odisha’s growing capacity to nurture high-impact startups that serve both national and global markets. With rising investments, MoUs in technology sectors, and a supportive ecosystem, the state is building a foundation for sustained innovation-led growth.
As India looks ahead to becoming a $1.5 trillion economy by 2047, stories like Coratia’s reinforce how regional entrepreneurship can power national ambitions. Odisha’s ascent in the innovation map suggests that the next wave of technological breakthroughs may well emerge from beyond the traditional hubs, proving that local talent, when supported, can deliver solutions of global significance.
(With agency inputs)
