Suparjya swain 
FEATURE: When one dares to dream big, the sky is not the limit—it becomes the playground. This belief lies at the heart of Bon V, a homegrown startup co-founded by a team of visionaries determined to redefine the future of aerial mobility in India and beyond. At the helm of its technological pursuits is Mr. Abinash Sahoo, the Chief Technical Officer whose journey from a small garage lab to the rugged Himalayan heights reflects resilience, ingenuity, and purpose.
Bon V was founded in 2019 with a bold mission—to democratize aerial mobility. “We wanted to take drones from elite, niche applications to everyday streets,” says Mr. Abinash. But this vision was never just about machines. It was about solving real-world problems—delivering medicine to inaccessible regions, supporting soldiers in extreme conditions, and eventually transporting people and goods affordably and efficiently.
The dream took root even earlier, in 2018, when Mr. Abinash and his team began building a futuristic flying vehicle. But the path ahead was anything but smooth: stringent aviation regulations, risk-heavy development, and a near-absence of infrastructure. In response, the team pivoted wisely, focusing first on logistics and drone stability—especially in high-altitude, remote environments.
Behind Bon V’s rise stands a close-knit team of six co-founders, each with a unique strength. While Mr. Abinash leads technological innovation, Mr. Satyabrata Satapathy drives growth as CEO, and Mr. Gaurav Achha forges global partnerships. Mr. Sultan Alam Khan, a manufacturing veteran and former mentor to Mr. Abinash, heads production. Mr. Rahul Kumar oversees product design, while Mr. Umang Rathi, a former ISRO engineer, manages operations. Their synergy is proof that collaboration, not competition, powers true innovation.
The core minds behind Bon V: (From left to right) Abinash Sahoo, Satyabrata Satapathy, Umang Rathi, Sultan Alam Khan, Gaurav Achha, and Rahul Kumar—co-founders driving India’s drone innovation forward.
From humble beginnings in a garage at Bhubaneswar Engineering College, Bon V has grown into a cutting-edge R&D center with over 6,000 square feet of workspace at AIC–CV Raman Global University. With support from Startup India and Startup Odisha, the startup now boasts more than 40 engineers turning bold ideas into airborne solutions.
Their first big breakthrough came with the Indian Army. The Army not only provided feedback but also field-tested Bon V’s prototypes in some of the world’s harshest environments. This collaboration led to a landmark achievement: developing India’s first 50kg payload drone capable of operating at 10,000 feet.
Another defining moment came when Bon V won the global startup pitch competition “Meet the Drapers” (Season 6). Competing with startups from around the world, Bon V’s triumph didn’t just earn accolades—it put Odisha on the global innovation map with pride.
Soon after, Bon V secured India’s first-ever logistics drone contract with the Indian Army. Their UAVs, designed to handle treacherous Himalayan terrain, were integrated into real-world operations and trained across 10–15 Army units. “Our drones became part of Army war simulations in Ladakh, near the China-Pakistan border. It was surreal,” recalls Mr. Abinash. This success deepened into a strategic partnership with the Army Design Bureau, opening doors to next-gen defense projects.
This earned the Bon V team national recognition—not only for their technological feat but for their impact on defense logistics in high-risk zones. In a moment of deep pride, they were celebrated across the nation as “Heroes of the Himalaya,” a title that reflects the admiration of the Indian people for their contribution to national security and high-altitude innovation.
But for Mr. Abinash, technology has always been a means to a deeper goal—social impact. During deployments in Ladakh, he was struck by the sight of basic vegetables being sold at exorbitant prices, all because supply chains were broken. “Why shouldn’t remote villagers get affordable essentials year-round?” he asks. “If we can bring drone delivery costs close to that of a truck, we can completely rewrite the rules of logistics.” For him, drone logistics isn’t just about speed—it’s about dignity, accessibility, and equality.
Bon V is now developing a 200kg heavy-lift drone for medical evacuations and is enhancing its existing 50kg model to reach altitudes of 18,000 feet by 2025. With over 95% indigenous components, Bon V’s drones are not only robust and cost-effective but also proudly and strategically Indian.
Their technology is already drawing attention from sectors like power transmission, where traditional methods are both costly and environmentally damaging. Bon V’s drones can zip between transmission towers in dense forests and steep hills, saving both trees and taxpayer money.
Global opportunities are on the horizon. Bon V is being evaluated by the US Department of Defense through the India-US Indus program, at a time when nations are seeking alternatives to Chinese tech. A 100% non-Chinese, Indian-made drone solution is a timely and powerful alternative on the world stage.
Yet, for all this global traction, Odisha remains close to Mr. Abinash’s heart. He urges the state government to model initiatives like UP’s Defence Corridor to support high-tech startups and position Odisha as a defense and innovation hub. “We want Bon V to be synonymous with Odisha’s spirit of engineering and excellence,” he says passionately.
To the next generation of innovators, Mr. Abinash offers simple yet profound advice: “Execution is everything.” Ideas are plenty, but building, failing, and learning from the ground up is where the magic lies. “Mistakes teach faster than theory. Go build something. That’s how we discovered Ladakh’s challenges—not in books, but in the field. That’s where innovation begins.”
He leaves young dreamers with a message: think big, work hard, and remain grounded in purpose. “Innovation isn’t about glamour—it’s about impact.”
Mr. Abinash Sahoo’s story is not just about a startup that took flight; it’s about a vision that lifts people along with technology. From a modest garage in Bhubaneswar to the mountain passes of Ladakh, Bon V is proof that when technology serves humanity, even the sky can’t hold you back.
