A new model for nurturing India’s engineering talent is emerging, centred on real-world projects and direct industry experience. Leading this movement is BonV Aero, a deep-tech drone solutions company that serves as both an employer and a partner in innovation for young engineers.
Building Talent Through Hands-On Experience
BonV Aero’s journey starts in colleges and innovation hubs, including its incubation at AIC at CV Raman Global University in Odisha. The company recruits engineers from institutes like IIT Mandi and local colleges, offering them opportunities in research, design, and operational deployment.
“Our goal is not just to build drones, but to nurture the people who will lead the next generation of aerospace innovation in India. From day one, we encourage them to take charge, and their creativity has exceeded expectations,” said Satyabrata Satapathy, Co-Founder & CEO, BonV Aero.
Turning Ideas into Real-World Impact
Young engineers at BonV Aero are already delivering solutions with direct societal impact. One group designed a para-dropping mechanism that enables drones to release supplies with precision mid-air, which was later integrated into live missions. Another team supported a high-stakes rescue operation during the Sikkim landslide by deploying drones equipped with Ground Penetrating Radar, helping the Indian Army locate underground features.
Breaking Records and Barriers
BonV Aero also made history when one of its UAVs set a world record by hovering with a 30 kg payload at 19,024 ft AMSL at Umling La Pass, the world’s highest motorable pass. This achievement not only showcased youth-led innovation but also gave engineers first-hand experience in systems integration, high-altitude performance, and problem-solving under extreme conditions.
A Culture of Ownership and Innovation
The company fosters an environment where young people are encouraged to take ownership of their work. With a focus on indigenous technology and a mission-driven culture, engineers at BonV Aero work on projects that create tangible impact.
“The energy of these young minds is what drives us,” said Gaurav Achha, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, BonV Aero. “We provide the mentors and the facility, but they are the ones who learn through doing, creating solutions to real-world challenges.”
Building India’s Drone Future
This model—combining academic collaboration with real-world operations—is setting the tone for a self-reliant drone industry in India. More importantly, it helps transform India’s youth from being drone users into global drone innovators. By empowering them with real ownership, BonV Aero is shaping a new generation of leaders who will define the future of drone and AI technologies.