As part of the expansion, Starburst is deploying a local consulting team and venture development platform that will strengthen the capabilities of domestic players in aerospace and defence, and provide access to a global network of participants who are leaders in the industry. The expansion will also allow collaboration with frontier tech and heavy engineering companies, while providing specialty services to the startup community in India.

The platform will be operated out of Mumbai as an aerospace and defence services and corporate innovation centre to serve Indian and international client partners. Starburst is strategically setting up in the financial capital of India, while maintaining other strategic presence via operating resources and partners in the aerospace and defence ecosystems of Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

“With peaked interest in aerospace, aviation, and defence in India, Starburst becomes a powerful tool in connecting industries with emerging startups,” said Francois Chopard, CEO of Starburst. “We’re thrilled to announce our expansion into India to solidify a community that connects local startups while partnering with global entities.”

The expansion is led by Abhinav Anuket, Managing Partner and CEO of Starburst India. Anuket, who previously founded Magnivia Ventures, a US based, strategic investment and venture development firm, Co-founded the India program along with Francois Chopard, Founder and CEO of Starburst Aerospace. Other Co-founders of Starburst Aerospace include Van Espahbodi, Partner and Co-founder (US), and Sandra Budimir, Partner and Co-founder (Europe).

Starburst is also in the process of launching an early-stage accelerator program in India, which will connect Indian participants to Starburst’s network of global partners in government and private sectors. Starburst India is currently inviting corporate partners, aerospace and defence investors, government agencies, academic organisations, and startups to participate.