Bengaluru-based marine robotics startup Rekise Marine has raised $9.7 million in a seed funding round co-led by Accel and NKSquared, marking a major milestone in India’s rapidly evolving defence technology ecosystem.
The round also witnessed participation from investors including Sameer Brij Verma, Sandeep Singhal, Industrial47, Singularity AMC, the company’s founders, and several family offices. Rekise had previously raised $4.72 million from Singularity AMC and other investors.
The fresh capital will primarily be used to complete and conduct sea trials of Jalkapi, strengthen the company’s in-house autonomy software capabilities, and significantly expand its engineering team across robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, embedded systems, naval architecture, and systems integration.
Founded in 2017 by Maitrai Maka and Shekhar, Rekise Marine develops autonomous ships and submarines designed for defence and commercial maritime applications. Unlike many global players, the startup builds its autonomy software entirely in-house while also designing, manufacturing, and integrating its vessels in collaboration with leading Indian shipyards.
One of its flagship innovations is Jalkapi, India’s first extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV), developed under the Indian Navy’s iDEX ADITI programme. The platform is designed to support missions for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and commercial maritime operators.
Rekise’s technology stack enables autonomous capabilities across a wide range of vessels—from compact, man-portable underwater vehicles to large submarines—with minimal software reconfiguration. The company works closely with premier shipbuilding partners, including Goa Shipyard Limited and GRSE Limited, to bring these advanced systems to life.
Its growing portfolio includes Jaldoot, an autonomous surface vessel already deployed with customers; Swadheen, an autonomous survey vessel that has successfully completed open-sea autonomous trials; and a lightweight autonomous underwater vehicle currently undergoing testing.
As India increasingly focuses on indigenous defence innovation and maritime security, Rekise Marine is positioning itself at the forefront of the country’s autonomous naval technology landscape. The startup joins a new wave of Indian marine-tech innovators, alongside companies such as Coratia Technologies, Planys, Eyerov, and Sagar Defence, that are redefining the future of underwater and surface robotics.
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