Pune: Volar Alta, a pioneering drone-tech startup transforming industrial inspections with AI-powered, non-destructive testing (NDT) solutions, has been declared the winner of Cohort 3 of the Maruti Suzuki Incubation Program.
This prestigious program, backed by IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL, supports early-stage deep tech startups focused on mobility and disruptive technologies.
Founded in 2021 by Niharika Kolte Alekar, Volar Alta provides cutting-edge drone inspection solutions that help manufacturing and process industries enhance safety, reduce downtime by up to 96 per cent, and ensure regulatory compliance.
Its intelligent platform spans drone fleet management, flight planning, data analytics, and predictive maintenance – redefining industrial vigilance with precision and sustainability.
Niharika’s journey from a finance professional at PwC and KPMG to a tech entrepreneur has been marked by strategic vision and innovation.
Her leadership has steered Volar Alta to significant milestones, including:
- Winner of the TiE Pune Global Pitch Competition (2023)
- Recipient of the “Women to Watch in Emerging Aviation Technology” award at CES Tech Fest, Las Vegas (2023)
“At Volar Alta, we are revolutionizing inspections through smart technology. Our mission is to elevate industrial safety and sustainability while maximizing operational efficiency,” says Niharika Kolte Alekar, Founder and CEO, Volar Alta.
The Maruti Suzuki Incubation Program, powered by NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore, is designed to support startups developing high-risk, disruptive technologies with real-world applications in mobility. The initiative opens doors to a wide spectrum of opportunities for impactful innovation in India’s automotive and industrial ecosystems.
Full List of Winners – Maruti Suzuki Incubation Program, Cohort 3:
Winner: Volar Alta – AI-powered drone inspection and logistics platform
- 1st Runner-up: Sandlogic Technologies – GenAI and Edge AI hardware solutions
- 2nd Runner-up: Divum.ai – Enterprise-grade GenAI development tools
- 3rd Runner-up: LegoAI Technologies – No-code platform for data-driven GenAI insights
- 4th Runner-up: Defect Scanner – GenAI-based quality monitoring for manufacturing
With this win, Volar Alta cements its position at the forefront of India’s drone-tech ecosystem, driving the next wave of industrial automation and smart inspection technologies.
