Bengaluru-based Alteon raises $2.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Lachy Groom to develop autonomous aircraft that harvest ocean wind through dynamic soaring. It plans to begin with maritime surveillance, and reports a Bay of Bengal test in which its aircraft completes seven autonomous O-shaped cycles, though it has not demonstrated energy-neutral sustained flight. Founded by Samay Sanghvi, Alteon has 20 employees and reports more than 200 test flights in the past 30 days.
India’s Airbound raises $8.65 million in seed funding led by Physical Intelligence co-founder Lachy Groom to develop its rocket-like, blended-wing-body delivery drones. Founded by Naman Pushp, the startup is piloting medical deliveries with Bengaluru’s Narayana Health, targeting 10 deliveries a day of tests, blood samples, and other supplies over three months. Its TRT drone is designed for small payloads and lower energy costs, and Airbound says the funding will expand manufacturing and operations.
