From gold medals to drones: Agnishwar Jayaprakash on steering Garuda Aerospace into Industry 5.0

In defence, drones will work alongside soldiers, offering real-time situational awareness and reconnaissance, ultimately making operations safer and smarter.

- By Aanchal Ghatak

Agnishwar Jayaprakash's journey has taken him from the swimming pool to the skies. A six-time South Asian Games gold medallist, he honed the discipline, tenacity, and focus required to succeed in competitive sports—skills that later powered him into the high-pressure, capital-intensive world of drones and entrepreneurship.

As Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, he has transformed a fledgling start-up into one of India's top drone companies, celebrated for indigenous innovation and profitability in an industry where many struggle to stay afloat. Under his leadership, Garuda developed India's first Drone-as-a-Service aggregation platform, connecting farmers, businesses, and defence with affordable access to premium drone offerings. With operations across 84 cities, Garuda is now preparing for rapid global growth and a future IPO.

Garuda's success has come from balancing vision with execution: focusing on scalable service models over capital-heavy sales, investing in local manufacturing to build resilience, and navigating evolving drone regulations. Looking ahead, Jayaprakash envisions drones not as automated machines but as AI-powered collaborators, working alongside humans to shape the Industry 5.0 era.

From being a six-time South Asian Games gold medallist swimmer to leading one of India's most successful drone start-ups, how did this personal journey shape your vision for Garuda Aerospace?

I began as a swimmer and transitioned into a drone entrepreneur; my journey and Garuda's vision are closely linked. The discipline, focus, and drive to excel in competitive swimming helped me build the company. The lessons of setting ambitious goals, working hard, and overcoming setbacks shaped my belief that with dedication and creativity, we can navigate the complexities of this capital-intensive industry and tackle any challenge.