AvaWatz

AvaWatz helps robots work together on the ground and in the air.

Its platform transforms these bots into teams of “cobots” that can execute complex tasks in challenging environments. The company’s software, pre-installed for specific missions, implements a detect-decide-act cycle to resolve challenges accurately — integrating team navigation, computer vision, information sharing, and group decision-making capabilities.

AvaWatz’s cobot solution enables companies to track dangerous debris on airfields, accelerate manufacturing output, track land management in challenging terrain, and support conservation tracking.

This company already serves customers including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and Department of Homeland Security.

Its technology targets the collaborative-robotic market, projected to reach nearly two trillion dollars by the end of this decade.

Team Background

Rajini Anachi - Co-Founder & CEO

Rajini is a serial entrepreneur who’s managed the development and marketing strategies of multiple tech products.

Prior to starting AvaWatz, she founded mZeal/CyGlass, an Artificial Intelligence-based cybersecurity company that was sold to Nominet, a competitor, in 2020.

She holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the Indian Institute of Science.

J.R. May - Director of Business Development

J.R. has more than twenty-five years of experience in Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial sales.

At AvaWatz, he leads direct sales to defense agencies and commercial customers, and also coordinates partnerships for R&D purposes.

Previously, he led business development and sales at mZeal/CyGlass, the cyber-security company acquired in 2020.

Bala Jana - Co-Founder & Vice President

Bala works part-time with AvaWatz, and has extensive experience in commercialization and production.

Most recently, he was a strategic advisor with mZeal/CyGlass, the cyber security company acquired in 2020. Before that, he was a senior database engineer with Refinitiv, a financial-services company.

Earlier in his career, he was a team lead with Zipcar, a car-sharing service that was acquired by AVIS, a car-rental company. Before that, he was a staff database engineer with Cartera Commerce, an e-commerce business focused on shopping and retail rewards.

Bala began his career as an engineer with Intuit, a financial-services company, and led product innovation at Navic Networks, a tech company acquired by Microsoft in 2008.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Madras.

Co-Investors