ANKIT MEHTA

ideaForge Technology

Ankit Mehta is the Co-founder and CEO of ideaForge, a drone manufacturer for defense, homeland security, and industrial applications. He has been associated with ideaForge since its incorporation and has experience in the drone industry. Ankit holds a degree in Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering under the dual degree programme and a degree in Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Computer Aided Design and Automation under the dual degree programme from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

Ankit with his team has led ideaForge to become one of the top global leaders among dual-use (Civil & Defense) drone manufacturers (DroneII). ideaForge caters across domestic and international market where it has a wide range of products with feature-based differentiation such as weight class, endurance class, altitude range, payload types, etc. In fact, ideaForge is one of the few original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) globally to have its own proprietary autopilot subsystem and ground control station software. The organization integrates complex technologies while optimizing the performance, reliability, and autonomy the product.

Apart from being listed as one of the top 35 entrepreneurs under the age of 35 in India by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2017, he was also recognized as the Young Achiever of the Year by the Ascent Foundation in 2017. ideaForge has been awarded the Best Product Design Company in A&D at the Deftronics Awards in 2017 by IESA and also received the Marico Innovation Foundation’s award for Business Innovation in 2018. Ankit and his Co-founders are also the recipients of the Young Alumni Achiever Award by IIT Bombay in 2020.

As a member of the Drones Task Force, BVLOS BEAM Committee & the UTM Committee of India, Ankit is playing a prominent role in defining & standardizing UAV regulations in India and providing neutral policy suggestions to positively impact the entire industry. He is also the Co-Chair, FICCI Committee on Drones.