DroneAcharya and AVPL Merger

27 January 2025

AITMC Ventures and DroneAcharya Unite to Transform the Drone Industry

DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations, a BSE SME-listed company, has signed a term sheet to merge with AVPL International, the operator of AITMC Ventures. This strategic alliance aims to reshape India’s drone industry by combining the strengths of both organizations to deliver specialized solutions in agriculture, defense, logistics, and space technology.

DroneAcharya hailed the merger as a “transformative step” in its recent announcement, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the drone ecosystem. The collaboration will integrate expertise across hardware, software, automation, and skill development into a unified framework.

Prateek Srivastava, Founder and MD of DroneAcharya, called the merger a “force multiplier,” emphasizing its capacity to set global benchmarks. Preet Sandhuu, Founder and MD of AITMC Ventures, echoed the sentiment, describing it as a key milestone in building a leading presence in drone technology. Discussions for the merger began in December 2024, with an expected conclusion within eight months, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Operational Synergies

Following the merger, the companies plan to integrate core functions such as finance, legal, and compliance while retaining their individual brand identities. The combined entity, tentatively named “AVPL DroneAcharya,” will focus on cutting-edge innovations like robotics, IoT integration, Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS), and GIS solutions.

AVPL International boasts infrastructure across 12 Indian states, including 50 Global Incubation and Skill Hubs (GISH) and 20 World Incubation and Skill Hubs (WISH), with a strong focus on agriculture and drones. Meanwhile, DroneAcharya, known for its R&D and operational excellence, recently secured an INR 7.53 lakh contract with the Indian Army for drone training.

Financial Overview

DroneAcharya debuted on the BSE SME platform in December 2022 but reported a 62.1% profit decline to INR 1.50 crore in H1 FY25 due to election-related disruptions, despite a 28.8% revenue increase to INR 26.90 crore. Srivastava remains confident about Q4 FY25, citing promising projects ahead.

AITMC Ventures saw a 95.2% surge in operating revenue to INR 41.87 crore in FY24, with an 82.6% rise in profits to INR 8.84 crore. The company has postponed its planned NSE Emerge IPO to prioritize the merger, with a mainboard listing for the merged entity anticipated within eight months post-merger.

Strategic Growth

Both companies have been pursuing aggressive expansion strategies. DroneAcharya recently entered the Middle East market, partnered with Canada’s Volatus for advanced drone solutions, and introduced an Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) to align employee goals with organizational objectives.

AITMC Ventures continues to strengthen its presence in the agri-drone sector through its skill hubs and training programs. The merger is expected to enhance these efforts by integrating DroneAcharya’s technology-driven capabilities.