Podcast: Featuring First-Gen Defence Founders

In the complex tapestry of India’s journey towards self-reliance, a new thread of resilience is being woven by a unique breed of innovators: the Defencepreneurs. These are the builders, the visionaries, and the risk-takers who are translating cutting-edge technology into tangible security for our nation. It is their stories that we are proud to showcase in our new podcast series, Mic'd Up With. The genesis of this series lies in a powerful realization. The conversation around national security has evolved beyond traditional paradigms; it is now equally about bytes and code as it is about boots on the ground. When our S1E1 guest Ankit Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO, of ideaForge, shares how the sight of military helicopters during the 26/11 attacks became the catalyst for creating drones that would later see action in Operation Sindoor, it underscores a profound shift. It’s a story where a national need ignites an entrepreneurial mission, resulting in battle-proven technology. Through Mic'd Up With, we go beyond the headlines and into the trenches of deep-tech innovation. We sit down with the founders who are navigating the unique challenges of defence procurement, building for extreme environments, and competing for elite talent—all while aiming for global supremacy, not just parity. This series is more than a chronicle of business success; it is an intimate look at the grit and foresight required to build an Atmanirbhar Bharat from the ground up. Our goal is to illuminate the people who are not just participating in India's defence story, but actively shaping it. Join us as we amplify the voices of these modern-day nation-builders. Their journeys are a testament to the fact that the next chapter of India's security will be written in its innovation labs.