Dubai Airshow 2025 launched its first Inspiration Zone, bringing together dynamic initiatives under one roof and on one runway, from November 17 to 21 at the DWC.
The zone featured areas designed to accelerate innovation, promote wellbeing, and empower the next generation of leaders in aviation and aerospace. The zone hosted five flagship programmes and a fitness challenge— Vista, Wellness experiences, NextGen Leaders, Future Flight: Powered by Women, and Youth Circles — reinforcing Dubai Airshow’s position as a global hub where industry and society converge to shape the future of aerospace.
At the centre of the Inspiration Zone was Vista, the pioneering aerospace start-up platform connecting early-stage innovators with global investors, decision-makers, and mentors. Supported by leading partners including FADA, EDGE, VentureOne, SteerAI, Dubai Airports, Boeing Ventures, and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, Vista hosted pitch competitions, reverse pitches, and thought-leadership sessions that catalyse cross-border innovation and investment.
Vista also focussed on bringing together startups, students, and industry innovators to showcase new technologies and participate in challenges. The “Vista Inspiration Cup” was a key event within this track, where selected startups competed for a title. Other parts of the Vista track included showcasing Indian startups through a partnership with iDEX. Purpose: To connect startups, students, and innovators in the aerospace, defense, and space sectors.
Sagar Defence, an iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) winner, secured the “Accelerating the Autonomous Robotics Revolution” challenge under the VISTA Track at the airshow, bagging a US$ 5,000 prize for its autonomous systems concept. iDEX congratulated the team, noting that the achievement highlights India’s growing footprint in defence innovation.
Sagar Defence said its pitch centred on “Genesis”, described as a “boat-in-a-box” concept built around an AI-powered, platform-agnostic module that can be retrofitted onto existing vessels. Sanyukta Singh from the company said, “We were grateful to give a three-minute pitch to the grand jury and also been awarded for the same. As part of the startup vista challenge, we brought forward our concept of Genesis, an AI-powered solution that can make existing vessels semi-autonomous, fully autonomous or remotely operable.”
iDEX, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, iDEX has emerged as a game-changer in the defence ecosystem. In a short span, it has gained momentum, fostering a growing community of start-ups in the sector. It is currently engaged with over 650 start-ups and MSMEs.
The award comes as 15 iDEX-backed startups participated in the Dubai Airshow, presenting a broad range of technologies across robotics, space systems, electronic warfare, battlefield awareness, and autonomous platforms. Their showcased solutions include a multi-sensor satellite integrating SAR and EO payloads, an autonomous cargo aerial vehicle, battlefield surveillance technologies, a portable SAR image disrupter designed to protect critical infrastructure, AR/VR-based training solutions, drone and anti-drone systems, and an AESA radar developed for counter-UAS operations.
The strong interest from global OEMs and investors underscores the rising relevance of India’s innovation-led defence ecosystem. iDEX, launched in 2018 as Innovations for Defence Excellence, it supports over 650 startups and MSMEs.
The Dubai Airshow, featured the Vista Startup Zone, offering mentorship, investor access and pitch platforms to startups such as, providing global visibility for their emerging technologies.
