Zen Technologies to buy majority of Cogknit
By Abha Lohia ·
- Cogknit is a Bengaluru defence tech startup that builds a battlefield management system linking tanks, vehicles and soldiers in one live picture
- Zen Technologies will put ₹135.15 crore into Cogknit for 51.98% ownership, mixing fresh shares with existing ones, so Cogknit becomes its subsidiary
- Investor Ashish Kacholia and associates join the new share issue, and the founding team stays in charge once closing conditions are met
What happened
- Zen Technologies board approved a ₹135.15 crore investment.
- The money buys a 51.98% stake in Cogknit Semantics.
- It combines a subscription to new shares with purchase of existing shares.
- Ashish Kacholia and associates also join the new share round.
- Cogknit becomes a subsidiary after customary closing conditions.
Why it matters
- The deal fits Zen's plan for Samvid, a proposed AI platform for shared battlefield awareness.
- Cogknit adds the command-and-control layer that links tanks, vehicles and soldiers.
- The founding team keeps leading the company.
The business
- Cogknit is a Bengaluru-based defence technology company.
- It builds a battlefield management system for main battle tanks.
- The system gives every commander one real-time view of the field.
- It has completed field trials with the Indian Army.
- It won an iDEX challenge and the Raksha Mantri's Award for Innovation in 2022.
Who put in money
- Zen Technologies Acquirer — Indian defence training and technology company
- Ashish Kacholia Investor — Individual investor joining the primary round
What happens next
- Closing subject to customary conditions.
Words to know
- iDEX
- Government programme that sets defence challenges for startups
Terms in this story
- Startup: A startup is a young company built to find a new way of doing something and to grow fast, usually by serving many customers at low extra cost. India's government also has a narrower legal definition that decides who gets scheme benefits.
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