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.

Board of Directors

VC Sir

Prof (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel

Chairman

AIC RRU Incubation Foundation

Prof (Dr.) Bimal N. Patel

Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University, serves as the Chairman of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation. Under his leadership, the center promotes innovation, mentorship, and funding for startups focused on national security and policing.

PRO-VC Sir

Prof.(Dr.) Kalpesh. H. Wandra

Managing Director
AIC RRU Incubation Foundation

Prof. (Dr.) Kalpesh H. Wandra

 Pro Vice-Chancellor of Rashtriya Raksha University, brings expertise in wireless communication, AI, and IoT to his leadership role. He supports the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation by fostering partnerships aimed at developing national security technologies.

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. Bhawanisinh Rathore
serves as a Director of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where he provides strategic oversight and mentorship to foster a security-focused startup ecosystem. He leverages his expertise in SMART policing and internal security to guide innovators in developing indigenous technologies that address critical national defense and safety challenges.

Dr. Keyur Patel

Director

Dr. Keyur Patel
 serves as a Director of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where he provides strategic leadership to foster a security-focused startup ecosystem. He leverages his expertise in emerging technologies like AI, IoT, and cybersecurity to mentor innovators in developing indigenous solutions for India's national security challenges

Noorin Choudhary

Director

Dr. Noorin Chaudhary
serves as the Acting Director and Assistant Professor at the
SBSFI and is a Director on the Board of the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation. She leverages over 12 years of experience in forensic psychology and mental health to mentor startups in developing indigenous, technology-driven solutions for crime prevention and national security. 

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.

 

Our Team

Our team at AIC RRU comprises experienced mentors, industry experts, and dedicated professionals committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ankit Kharol

Incubation Manager

Ankit Kharol serves as an Incubation Manager at the AIC-RRU Incubation Foundation, where he oversees the lifecycle of startups from onboarding to acceleration. He contributes by managing daily incubator operations, providing hand-holding support to entrepreneurs, and coordinating technical resources to help bridge the gap between innovation and security force requirements.

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.

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.