About Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC
The Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC comprises 3.79K companies, including 372 funded companies having collectively raised $4.8B in venture capital money and private equity. Out of these, 277 are Series A+ funded.
Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC has seen 92 acquisitions and 136 IPOs. This represents almost 6.0% of all such companies - which is higher than the 5.0% exit rate of tech companies in general.
This sector includes companies that are involved in the manufacturing, sales, and management of aircraft, spacecraft, ships, and defense equipment.
It includes defense contractors and traditional aircraft and ship manufacturers. It also includes companies providing services to the aerospace, maritime and defense industry stakeholders. It excludes companies manufacturing advanced aircraft, spacecraft, ships and military equipment. It also excludes companies that provide software solutions to aircraft, spacecraft, ship manufacturers, and sellers as well as to the defense industry and those providing them with tech heavy hardware and advanced materials.
Key Metrics
Total Companies
Top Companies
Total Funding
Funded Companies
Series A+ Companies
Series C+ Companies
IPOs
Acquisitions
Top Aerospace, Maritime and Defense Companies in APAC
There are 3,787 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense startups in APAC which include Paras Defence & Space Technologies, Unimech Aerospace, Swan Energy, Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Hyundai Heavy Industries. Out of these, 372 startups are funded, with 277 having secured Series A+ funding.
Over the past 10 years, an average of 68 new companies have been launched annually. Notably, several of these startups have been founded by alumni of IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore.
Here is the list of top Aerospace, Maritime and Defense startups in APAC
Company offering wide range of defence products & solutions. It offers a range of products and solutions, include optical components, Imaging Systems, Electronic Systems, Cybersecurity Solutions, Production of heavy structures, flow-formed rocket motor tubes, special purpose machines, Titanium Fabrication, Electromagnetic Pulse Protection, Shielding Products, Drones and Anti-Drone Systems, Spacecraft Integration and Testing, Remote-Controlled Defense Systems, and Custom Engineering Solutions.
Key facts about Paras Defence & Space Technologies
- Founded Year: 1972
- Location: Navi Mumbai (India)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $4.57M
- Investors: Pooja Unichem, Paras Gate India and 38 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Jun 13, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 73/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 1 of 505 Competitors
Manufacturer & supplier of aircraft parts and components. The company specializing in the manufacturing of complex products for industries such as aerospace, energy, and semiconductors. Its services includes machining, fabrication, assembly, testing, tooling, and engine handling.
Key facts about Unimech Aerospace
- Founded Year: 2016
- Location: Bengaluru (India)
- Stage: Public
- Total Funding till date: $30M
- Investors: Evolvence Equity Partners, Steadview and 5 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Series B, Jul 19, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 67/100 What is this?
3. Swan Energy
Key facts about Swan Energy
- Founded Year: 1909
- Location: Mumbai (India)
- Stage: Public
- Investors: Goldman Sachs, SBI Life Insurance and 9 Others
- Latest Funding Round: Post IPO, Feb 29, 2024, $*****
- Tracxn Score: 64/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 14 of 1,000 Competitors
Sichuan Chengfa Aero Science&Technology provides aviation weaponry and civil aviation equipment to aerospace and defense industry. Other offerings include military transport aircraft, helicopters, airborne systems, auto parts, general aviation, aviation research, flight test. It also provides multiple services such as aviation supply chain, military trade, asset management, finance, and engineering construction to automotive and other industries. Additionally, it also provides high-end equipment for advanced manufacturing. In 2018, the company recorded annual revenues of $8.2B, and a net loss of $-85M.
Key facts about Aviation Industry Corporation of China
- Founded Year: 1951
- Location: Chaoyang (China)
- Stage: Acquired
- Investors: Rencent Capital, Zhonghe Capital and 3 Others
- Tracxn Score: 64/100 What is this?
- Competitors Rank: 2 of 139 Competitors
Hyundai Heavy Industries is a machinery industry. The company operates through business segments such as shipbuilding, offshore and engineering, industrial plant and engineering, engine and machinery, electro electric systems, green energy, and construction equipment.In 2020, the company recorded annual revenues of $12.7 B and a net loss of $-706.7 M
Key facts about Hyundai Heavy Industries
- Founded Year: 1972
- Location: Ulsan (South Korea)
- Stage: Public
- Tracxn Score: 63/100 What is this?
Companies founded year-on-year in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC
118 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense startups in APAC were founded in 2019 - this is the most number of startups founded in any year in the last 10 years.
- Total Number of Companies
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | 6 |
2024 | 27 |
2023 | 59 |
2022 | 98 |
2021 | 108 |
2020 | 90 |
2019 | 118 |
2018 | 94 |
2017 | 81 |
Stage-wise distribution of Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector companies in APAC
Out of the total 3,787 Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC, 372 have secured funding. Among them, 277 have reached Series A or higher, and 247 to Series B or beyond.
Founded - 3,787
Funded - 372
Series A+ - 277
Series B+ - 247
Series C+ - 237
Company Stage | No. of companies |
|---|---|
Founded | 3,787 |
Funded | 372 |
Series A+ | 277 |
Series B+ | 247 |
Series C+ | 237 |
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Funding Trends in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC
Total funding year-on-year in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC
The Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC saw a total funding of more than $4.5B in the last 10 years. The most amount of funding was in 2018 at more than $1.13B.
- Total Funding
Year | Total Funding |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | $192M |
2024 | $660M |
2023 | $318M |
2022 | $167M |
2021 | $916M |
2020 | $146M |
2019 | $703M |
2018 | $1.13B |
2017 | $272M |
Recent Funding Rounds in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense in APAC
In the year 2026, till January 2026, Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC have raised equity funding across 1 round.
In the same period last year (i.e. till January 2025), Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC had raised $19.2M across 3 rounds.
Here are some recent, important funding rounds in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC:
Company | Round Raised | Amount Raised | Funding Date | Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Seed | 1399 | Jan 06, 2026 | ||
Seed | 1845 | Dec 12, 2025 | ||
Seed | 7057 | Dec 06, 2025 | - | |
Seed | 7455 | Nov 26, 2025 | ||
Seed | 4551 | Nov 18, 2025 |
Top Investors in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense in APAC
Starburst is the top investor in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC based on number of companies invested.
Here are some top investors in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC:
Investor | Location | Top Portfolio Companies |
|---|---|---|
Los Angeles (United States) | ||
Coimbatore (India) | ||
New York City (United States) | ||
Washington, DC (United States) | - | |
New York City (United States) | - |
M&A activity in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC
In the year 2025, till October 2025, 7 acquisitions happened in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC. Last year, in 2024, a total of 10 acquisitions happened in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC.
Here are some recent, important acquisitions in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC:
Company | Acquisition Type | Acquisition Date | Acquirers |
|---|---|---|---|
Business Acquisition | Oct 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jul 02, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jun 27, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jun 27, 2025 | ||
Business Acquisition | Jun 22, 2025 |
Acquisition trends in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC
Here are the acquisition trends in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC:
- Total Number of Acquisitions
Year | No. of companies |
|---|---|
2026 | - |
2025 | 7 |
2024 | 10 |
2023 | 11 |
2022 | 10 |
2021 | 11 |
2020 | 8 |
2019 | 10 |
2018 | 6 |
2017 | 2 |
IPOs in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense in APAC
In the year 2025, till December 2025, 3 IPOs happened in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC.
Here are some recent, important IPOs in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense sector in APAC:
Company | IPO Date | Exchange Symbol |
|---|---|---|
Dec 10, 2025 | Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), National Stock Exchange (NSE) | |
Aug 19, 2025 | Korea Exchange (KRX) | |
Aug 01, 2025 | Korea Exchange (KRX) | |
Dec 31, 2024 | National Stock Exchange (NSE), Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) | |
Dec 09, 2024 | National Stock Exchange (NSE) |
Colleges which produce the most Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC
Companies founded by alumni from top colleges in the Aerospace, Maritime and Defense in APAC
Most number of Aerospace, Maritime and Defense startups in APAC have been founded by alumni from IIT Madras, IIT Delhi and IIM Bangalore.
College | No. of companies |
|---|---|
IIT Madras | 7 |
IIT Delhi | 4 |
IIM Bangalore | 3 |
IIT Kanpur | 2 |
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | 2 |
BITS Pilani | 1 |
Cornell University | 1 |
IIM Ahmedabad | 1 |
IIM Calcutta | 1 |
INSEAD | 1 |
Total funding in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies founded by alumni from top colleges in APAC
In the last 10 years, IIM Bangalore graduates' Aerospace, Maritime and Defense companies in APAC have raised the most funding among top colleges. IIM Ahmedabad alumni are second, and IIT Kanpur alumni are third.
College | Total Funding |
|---|---|
IIM Bangalore | $33.5M |
IIM Ahmedabad | $30M |
IIT Kanpur | $4.15M |
IIT Delhi | $3.46M |
Indian Institute of Science | $3.46M |
Nanyang Technological University (NTU) | $1.05M |
University of Manchester | $186K |
BITS Pilani | - |
Cornell University | - |
IIM Calcutta | - |
Top News in Aerospace, Maritime and Defense in APAC
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Svitzer, Cochin Shipyards shake hands on electric tug manufacturing in IndiaOffshore Energy•Oct 31, 2025•Svitzer, Cochin Shipyard
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Florintree sits on neat upside on less than year-old technology betVCCircle•Sep 19, 2025•Data Patterns
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JMU Completes Delivery of New Future-Fit 159,097 dwt Suezmax TankerOffshore Energy•Sep 02, 2025•Jmuc
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South Korea's $287M fund to acquire logistics warehouses across Georgia for global supply chain.Metro Atlanta CEO•Aug 19, 2025•KOBC
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IHI, Vopak to jointly develop, operate ammonia terminal in JapanOffshore Energy•Jul 11, 2025•IHI, Vopak
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Beihai Shipbuilding launches first 319,000-dwt VLCC for EuronavPortNews•Jul 03, 2025•Bhshipyard, CMB.TECH
