Accel And NKSquared Back Marine Robotics Startup Developing AI-Powered Naval Platforms
Marine robotics startup Rekise Marine has raised $9.7 million in a seed funding round co-led by Accel and NKSquared, marking one of the largest early stage investments in India’s emerging autonomous maritime technology sector.
The round also saw participation from Sameer Brij Verma, Sandeep Singhal, Industrial47, Singularity AMC, the company’s founders, and several family offices.
The funding comes after Rekise previously raised $4.72 million from Singularity AMC and other investors.
Funds To Accelerate Autonomous Vessel Development
According to the company, the fresh capital will be used to complete and conduct sea trials of Jalkapi, strengthen its proprietary autonomy software platform, and significantly expand its engineering workforce.
The Bengaluru based startup plans to hire talent across robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, embedded systems, systems integration, and naval architecture as it scales development of autonomous maritime platforms.
Building India’s Next Generation Of Autonomous Naval Systems
Founded in 2017 by Maitrai Maka and Shekhar, Rekise Marine develops autonomous ships, submarines, and underwater vehicles for defence and commercial maritime applications.
Unlike many robotics companies that focus solely on software, Rekise designs, builds, and integrates both its autonomous platforms and autonomy software in-house.
The company works closely with leading Indian shipyards, including Goa Shipyard Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), to manufacture and deploy its systems.
Jalkapi Leads India’s Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Push
Among Rekise’s flagship projects is Jalkapi, India’s first extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), being developed under the Indian Navy’s iDEX ADITI programme.
The platform is designed to support naval and maritime missions while reducing the need for human-operated underwater systems.
The company says its software architecture enables autonomous capabilities to be deployed across a wide range of vessels, from compact portable underwater vehicles to large autonomous submarines, with minimal reconfiguration.
Growing Portfolio Of Autonomous Marine Platforms
Rekise Marine has already developed multiple autonomous maritime systems.
Its portfolio includes Jaldoot, an autonomous surface vessel that has already been delivered to customers, and Swadheen, an autonomous survey vessel that has successfully completed fully autonomous open-sea trials.
The company is also testing a man-portable autonomous underwater vehicle designed for defence and commercial applications.
These platforms are intended to serve a broad range of missions across naval operations, coast guard surveillance, maritime research, offshore infrastructure inspection, and commercial shipping.
India’s Marine Robotics Ecosystem Gains Momentum
The funding highlights growing investor interest in defence-tech, deep-tech, and autonomous systems startups in India.
As the Indian Navy and maritime agencies increasingly focus on unmanned and autonomous technologies, startups are emerging to address strategic and commercial requirements.
Rekise competes with a growing group of Indian marine robotics companies, including Coratia Technologies, Planys, Eyerov, and Sagar Defence.
With fresh capital and support from leading investors, Rekise Marine aims to strengthen India’s position in autonomous maritime technology and underwater robotics.
