About Us
Our Vision
To establish as a leading incubator that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship in the National Security Sector. We aim to cultivate an ecosystem that nurtures startups that pioneer technologies to enhance the Nation’s Security Infrastructure.
Our Mission
To empower the next generation of innovators, we cultivate pioneering technologies to cater to the critical Defence and National Security Challenges. We promote Atmanirbhar Bharat by fostering startups and encouraging Research, Development and Innovation, and also help in the commercialization of the technologies for a self reliant ecosystem in the National Security Sector.
Executive Directors
Prof (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel
Chairman
AIC RRU Incubation Foundation
Prof.(Dr.) Kalpesh. H. Wandra
Managing Director
AIC RRU Incubation Foundation
Non-Executive Directors
Major General CS Mann, PVSM, AVSM, VSM
Non-Executive Director
Distinguished military veteran and former ADG of the Army Design Bureau, bringing extensive strategic expertise in indigenous defense technology. As a Non-Executive Director at AIC RRU, he bridges the gap between military operational requirements and the startup ecosystem to guide the development of cutting-edge national security innovations.
Air Marshal RGK Kapoor (Retd)
Non-Executive Director
Former Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command with extensive expertise in operations, intelligence, cyber strategy, and military aviation. As a Non-Executive Director at AIC RRU, he leverages his strategic command experience to mentor defense startups and drive cutting-edge national security innovations.
Independent Directors
Dr.Dharmeshkumar Prajapati
Director
Registrar and Deputy Registrar (HRB) at Rashtriya Raksha University, manages key administrative functions and governance as a member of the Executive Council and Board of Governors. He also serves as a Director of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, fostering indigenous technological innovation and mentoring startups for national security.
Jasbir Kaur Thadhani
Director
University Dean (I/C) and Assistant Professor at the School of Behavioural Sciences and Forensic Investigations at Rashtriya Raksha University, leading initiatives in cyber psychology and academic accreditation. As a Director of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, she fosters national security innovation and develops strategic partnerships for operational excellence.
Dr. Chandresh Parekh
Director
Dr. Chandresh Parekh
directs the School of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security (SITAICS) at Rashtriya Raksha University, providing technical leadership in cybersecurity and quantum technology research. As a director for the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, he fosters innovation in national security technologies and mentors startups.
Nimesh Dave
Director
Nimesh Dave
serves as the Director of the SPICSM at Rashtriya Raksha University and a Director of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, focusing on security sector innovation and startup mentorship. His work includes facilitating defense technology commercialization, driving skill development for youth, and supporting veteran transitions to corporate security roles.
Dr. Bhawanisinh Rathore
Director
Dr. Keyur Patel
Director
Noorin Choudhary
Director
Dr. Aparna Varma
Director
Dr. Aparna Varma is an Assistant Professor at the School of Internal Security, Defence and Strategic Studies, specializing in Political Science and strategic affairs. Within AIC-RRU, she contributes as a mentor and domain expert, leveraging her academic background to support startups focused on national security and internal defense strategies.
Yash Sharma
Director
Yash Sharma
is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Residential Management and Administration Branch at RRU, specializing in Sports Management and physical education. He contributes to AIC-RRU by advising on sports technology and wellness initiatives, ensuring that incubated security-related startups incorporate physical operational readiness and administrative efficiency.
Niraj Mandowara
Director
Niraj Mandowara is the Finance Officer (I/c) at Rashtriya Raksha University and a Director at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, with over 13 years of expertise in financial management and auditing. He contributes to AIC-RRU by overseeing financial strategy, regulatory compliance, and budget integrity, ensuring a sustainable fiscal ecosystem for national security startups.
Advisory Board
Air Commodore Rajnish Verma (Retd.)
Advisor, AIC-RRU | Centre Head, Aerospace Studies, RRU
Air Commodore Rajnish Verma (Retd.)
With over 35 years in the Indian Air Force and heading Aerospace Studies at RRU, Air Commodore Verma brings unparalleled strategic expertise. He mentors AIC-RRU startups in defense-tech, UAVs, and aerospace, guiding founders to align their innovations with national security requirements, defense acquisitions, and rigorous military-grade standards.
Mr. Rohitkumar Parasappa Savanur
Advisor, AIC-RRU | Former Chief General Manager (Instrumentation), ONGC
Mr. Rohitkumar Parasappa Savanur
brings decades of industrial and technical leadership from his tenure at ONGC. At AIC-RRU, he leverages his deep expertise in hardware engineering and process optimization to mentor deep-tech startups, guiding them in scaling industrial solutions, product development, and bridging the gap between early prototypes and market-ready products.
Dr. Umer Salim
Head- Printed Intelligence
Visionary technocrat and innovation strategist with extensive expertise in Printed Intelligence, flexible electronics, and cross-border technology ecosystems. As Head of Printed Intelligence at AIC RRU, he drives the incubation of advanced manufacturing and smart electronics startups to build globally competitive, indigenous technology solutions.
Ms. Sarita Bhatia
Director Project
Strategic leader with extensive experience in driving sustainable initiatives, corporate social responsibility. As Director of Projects at AIC RRU, she leverages her expertise in building robust networks to cultivate a culture of innovation, manage critical resources, and strengthen long-term growth for national security startups.
Mr.Ravish
Director Outreach
Strategic leader specializing in international cooperation, security, and strategic languages at Rashtriya Raksha University. As Joint Director I/c for Project and Training and Director of ICRB, he contributes to AIC RRU by facilitating capacity-building initiatives and fostering global partnerships that advance national security innovation.
Our Team
Soumendu Ray
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Soumendu Ray
serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, bringing extensive leadership experience to the organization's strategic management. He is instrumental in driving the incubator's mission to nurture startups within the national security and defense sectors, bridging the gap between innovative research and commercial viability.
Dr. Pramjit Singh
Joint Chief Executive Officer (Jt. CEO)
Dr. Pramjit Singh
Assistant Professor at the School of Internal Security, Defence and Strategic Studies and serves as the Joint Chief Executive Officer (Jt. CEO) of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation. He plays a pivotal role in bridging academic research with industrial innovation, specifically coordinating programs that focus on Information Warfare and the strategic development of national security technologies.
Addl DG Anil Harbola
Director(Projects)
(ADG) Anil Harbola serves as a Director of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation and brings extensive leadership experience from his career in the Border Security Force (BSF). He contributes to the incubator by providing high-level strategic guidance and operational insights, ensuring that startup innovations are effectively aligned with the practical needs of India's border management and internal security infrastructure.
Air Cmde Jayanta Sahu
Director (Projects)
Air Cmde Jayanta Sahu
Director of the School of Internal Security, Defence and Strategic Studies (SISDSS) at RRU, bringing decades of high-level strategic and operational experience from the Indian Air Force. Within AIC-RRU, he provides critical leadership and mentorship, ensuring that incubated technologies and startups are strategically aligned with the operational requirements of India’s defense and security forces.
Chandrakant Yadav
Establishment Manager
Chandrakant Yadav serves as the Establishment Manager at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where he oversees the core administrative and logistical framework of the incubator. He contributes by managing facility operations and human resources, ensuring a seamless organizational environment that allows startups to focus entirely on developing security and defense innovations.
Gaurav Shah
Partnership Manager
Gaurav Shah serves as the Partnership Manager at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where he focuses on building strategic alliances with industry leaders, government bodies, and academic institutions. He contributes by creating a robust collaborative network that provides startups with essential market linkages, co-innovation opportunities, and specialized resources within the defense and security ecosystem.
Yash Patel
Business Development Manager
Yash Patel serves as the Business Development Manager at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where he leads strategic outreach and corporate partnerships. He contributes to the ecosystem by facilitating market access for startups and building collaborative networks between innovators and industry stakeholders in the national security domain.
Mahendra Parmar
Account Manager
Mahendra Parmar serves as the Account Manager at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where he oversees the financial documentation and fiscal tracking of the organization. He contributes by managing grant disbursements, maintaining rigorous accounting standards, and ensuring financial transparency for both the incubator and its supported startups.
Krupa Valand
Executive
Krupa Valand serves as an Executive at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where she provides essential administrative and operational support to the management team. She contributes by streamlining internal communications and coordinating the logistical requirements of various startup programs, ensuring the smooth execution of the incubator's daily activities.
Our Mentors
Piyalee Chattopadhyay
Program Manager at TiE Global
Piyalee Chattopadhyay serves as a Program Manager at TiE Global and collaborates with AIC-RRU to drive entrepreneurship initiatives and startup mentorship. She contributes by bridging the global TiE network with the AIC-RRU ecosystem, facilitating international market access and strategic networking opportunities for defense and security startups.
Dr. Tejashree Shah
Expert Consultant (Startups)
Dr. Tejashree Shah serves as an Expert Consultant (Startups) at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, bringing extensive experience in mentoring and strategic advisory. She contributes by guiding early-stage ventures through the complexities of business modeling and go-to-market strategies, ensuring their innovations are both commercially viable and operationally effective for the security sector.
Ruzan Khambatta
Founder of Wajra O' Force
Ruzan Khambatta is the Founder of Wajra O' Force and a prominent social entrepreneur focused on safety and empowerment through technology. She contributes to AIC-RRU as a mentor and strategic advisor, leveraging her expertise in internal security and emergency response solutions to help startups develop impactful, community-centric safety innovations.
Dr. Debadatta Mishra
CEO of Apex Space Exploration
Dr. Debadatta Mishra is the CEO of Apex Space Exploration and an experienced academician specializing in aerospace engineering and space technologies. He contributes to AIC-RRU as a Mentor, guiding startups in the development of satellite technologies and space-based applications critical to national intelligence and communication infrastructure.
Ameet Parikh
Founder of Harmony International
Ameet Parikh is the Founder of Harmony International and a seasoned entrepreneur with extensive experience in international trade and business strategy. He contributes to AIC-RRU as a Mentor, providing startups with critical insights into global market expansion, cross-border collaborations, and the scaling of security-related innovations for international adoption.
Col. Tarun Kumar (Retd)
Startup Mentor
Col. Tarun Kumar (Retd) is a distinguished military veteran and leadership coach who brings nearly three decades of operational experience from the Indian Army to the startup world. At AIC-RRU, he serves as a Startup Mentor, specializing in "Battlefield to Boardroom" strategies that translate military precision, discipline, and tactical resilience into actionable growth frameworks for emerging entrepreneurs.
Sanjay Chakraborty
Founder and Chief Marketing Communication Advisor at ESS-K-SEE Consultancy
Sanjay Chakraborty is the Founder and CMCA at ESS-K-SEE Consultancy, boasting over three decades of experience in branding, advertising, and sales. At AIC-RRU, he serves as a Mentor, empowering defense and security startups with strategic marketing insights to build strong brand identities and effective communication frameworks.
Prof. Sanjay Vanani
Deputy Director at Ganpat University (GUNI)
Prof. Sanjay Vanani is the Deputy Director at Ganpat University (GUNI) and an expert in social entrepreneurship, impact investing, and governance. At AIC-RRU, he serves as a Mentor, guiding startups in developing resilient business models, navigating legal compliance, and leveraging social impact strategies within the national security and defense sectors.
Keyur Bhalavat
Founder & CEO of Plutomen
Keyur Bhalavat is the Founder & CEO of Plutomen, a pioneer in Extended Reality (XR) and Augmented Reality (AR) solutions for industrial frontline workers. At AIC-RRU, he serves as a Mentor, empowering startups to integrate immersive technologies like AR/VR into defense maintenance, remote training, and mission-critical operational workflows.
Dr. Rohit V. Nanavati
Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Bombay
Dr. Rohit V. Nanavati is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at IIT Bombay, specializing in intelligent guidance, nonlinear control, and path planning for autonomous systems. At AIC-RRU, he serves as a Mentor, providing startups with technical expertise in autonomous multi-robot coordination and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) disaster response technologies.
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