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Devmalya Biswas and Divyanshu Mandowara - Co-founders Of Hyprix
It all started more than half a decade ago when two high school friends in Ahmedabad—Devmalya Biswas and Divyanshu Mandowara—bonded over their shared fascination with high-speed aviation and technology.
They dreamed of building high-speed aircraft engines and advanced defence technology but had no idea that one day, they would be at the forefront of a groundbreaking shift in India's defence industry.
Fast forward to 2024, these engineers took their passion to new heights by launching Hyprix, a cutting-edge defence and aerospace startup based in Bangalore.
Their mission? To revolutionise the Indian defence industry by building next-generation propulsion systems and artillery technology.
What started as an ambitious dream has now become a groundbreaking venture that has already made history.
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BREAKING BARRIERS: INDIA’S FIRST PRIVATE SUPERSONIC RAMJET ENGINE
The turning point came in 2023 when Devmalya, pursuing his bachelor's thesis at the DRDO, and Divyanshu, an electrical engineering graduate from the prestigious NIT Surat, realised a massive gap within India's high-speed aviation sector.
India has long been dependent on foreign nations for advanced defence technology, including propulsion systems for supersonic missiles, fighter jets, and artillery shells.
Ramjet engines, which enable projectiles to sustain supersonic speeds for extended durations, were primarily developed by government agencies and foreign defence giants.
There was no private company in India attempting this cutting-edge innovation. Devmalya and Divyanshu decided to change that.
In June 2024, Hyprix was born.
Their goal? To develop a ramjet engine—a propulsion technology that works best at supersonic speeds by using forward motion to compress incoming air, mix it with fuel, and produce thrust without the need for moving parts.
It was a daunting challenge, as no private Indian startup had ever successfully built such an engine before.
Government funding under Startup India and some other grants provided the initial push for Hyprix, and by August 2024, the duo started working on their first product.
In just five months, against all odds, they designed, developed, analysed, reviewed, and successfully tested their liquid-fuelled supersonic ramjet engine, Tezz, in January 2025.
Why is Tezz a big breakthrough?
> It can operate at speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 4, making it ideal for next-gen missiles and aerial platforms.
> It is three to four times more efficient than conventional solid rocket-powered missile systems, allowing projectiles to travel farther and sustain higher speeds.
> It significantly reduces reliance on foreign technology, aligning with India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
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CHALLENGES IN THE BATTLEFIELD OF INNOVATION:
The journey to building Tezz was anything but smooth.
> Scepticism from Experts: Even seasoned scientists doubted whether a young technology startup could achieve such a feat. Failure after failure tested their patience, but their persistence paid off.
> Financial Struggles: With limited government grants and no investors to seek support from, the founders stretched every rupee. Every prototype required costly materials and testing, pushing them to innovate on a shoestring budget.
> Operational Hurdles: Procuring high-end aerospace materials, navigating complex regulations, and assembling a competent team were monumental challenges.
“More than 50 scientists told us that a private company couldn't successfully build a ramjet in India. But we refused to accept that. We knew we could and would do it,” says Devmalya Biswas, the co-founder & CEO of Hyprix, during an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia.
When they finally tested Tezz successfully in January 2025, it was more than just a technological milestone—it was a symbol of the founders’ resilience and the growing prowess in indigenous defence technology under the umbrella of the larger Indian startup ecosystem.
AIMING HIGHER: RAMJET-PROPELLED ARTILLERY SHELLS FOR INDIAN ARMY
Fresh off their ramjet engine success, Hyprix is now developing its next big innovation—Kira M1, a 155mm ramjet-propelled extended-range artillery shell.
Why artillery shells? Because India is pushing to scale up its artillery shell production to meet future defence needs and this push synced perfectly with Hyprix’s vision of developing precision supersonic flying systems.
The current production in India stands at 300,000 shells per year, while actual wartime demand is estimated to be nearly 1.8 million. This glaring deficit presents a massive opportunity for new-age startups like Hyprix.
Only a handful of global defence giants, including Boeing, Raytheon, and Nammo, are currently developing similar artillery shells.
No home-grown company has ventured into this space, making Hyprix the first private Indian company to step into next-generation artillery technology.
Kira M1 is designed to revolutionise Indian artillery warfare. Unlike conventional artillery shells, which rely on explosive force alone, Kira incorporates ramjet propulsion and AI-guided precision guidance, drastically extending its range & accuracy.
Key Features of Kira M1:-
> Extended Range: Kira can travel four times farther than traditional 155mm shells, allowing Indian forces to strike enemy positions from safer distances.
> Precision Accuracy: Equipped with advanced navigation systems, it ensures minimal collateral damage.
> Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces dependency on costly imported shells while providing superior performance.
“We have already showcased a pre-prototype version of Kira M1 to the Indian Army, and discussions for vested development with Army’s Artillery Directorate are in progress.” Divyanshu Mandowara, the co-founder & COO of Hyprix, shares the news with excitement.
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THE ROAD AHEAD: GUNNING FOR GLOBAL DEFENCE LEADERSHIP
Though bootstrapped and pre-revenue, Hyprix is at a pivotal stage. Having proven their technological capabilities, they are raising funds to further their developmental efforts, however, the details of it remain private.
Their long-term ambition? To develop the next generation of AI-guided precision supersonic systems. This vision extends beyond defence applications, covering the development of commercial navigation systems for both supersonic and, ultimately, hypersonic flight.
With the government aiming to achieve ₹3 lakh crore in defence production by 2029, Hyprix is positioned at the forefront of this transformation.
But beyond numbers, their journey is about challenging the status quo. It is about proving that young Indian startups can take on complex defence projects, compete with global giants, and bring affordable yet cutting-edge innovations to the Indian armed forces.
“We are just getting started. India needs homegrown defence and aerospace startups to break global monopolies. We want Hyprix to be at the forefront of innovations in the Indian strategic technology sector,” says Devmalya with a confident smile.
With their unwavering determination, relentless innovation, and groundbreaking products, Hyprix is not just building supersonic ramjet engines and artillery shells—it is engineering the future of India's defence and aerospace industry.