IAN Alpha Fund has invested INR 25 crore in Indian aerospace startup D-Propulse Aerospace Private Limited.

The investment will support the development of advanced propulsion technologies aimed at defence and civilian aerospace applications.

Founded in July 2025, D-Propulse Aerospace is working on indigenous rotating detonation engine (RDE)–based propulsion systems. RDE technology represents a departure from conventional jet engines, using continuous detonation waves instead of traditional combustion. These systems do not rely on moving parts, making them mechanically simpler and potentially more reliable and easier to manufacture at scale. According to the startup, RDEs can deliver thermal efficiency improvements of 25 percent or more, allowing smaller engines to achieve higher performance.

The startup aims to lower overall system costs while maintaining high-speed and precision capabilities. By doing so, it seeks to enable the deployment of advanced aerospace platforms in larger numbers, particularly for strategic and defence use cases.

D-Propulse is led by a team with deep experience in India’s defence research ecosystem. Dr VK Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog and former Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), serves as Chief Mentor. Founder and CEO Saurav Jha is a defence and strategic technology expert who has advised the Indian government and domestic companies. Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Dr V Ramanujachari previously led India’s scramjet engine programme at DRDO and contributed to the propulsion system used in the Akash missile. Prof S Chakravarthy of IIT Madras acts as Chief Advisor.

The startup claims to have achieved a notable level of technological readiness in air-breathing rotating detonation combustors and is now moving towards flight-capable demonstrator systems.

The seed funding from IAN Alpha Fund will be used to expand D-Propulse’s engineering team, enhance simulation and computing capabilities, and establish limited testing infrastructure. The company is also incorporating artificial intelligence into design and validation processes. Initial discussions with the Indian military are underway, while export opportunities will be explored later in coordination with the government.

Globally, rotating detonation technology is gaining attention across propulsion, power generation, and gas turbine applications, with market potential projected to grow significantly over the next decade.