SpaceTech - developing electric propulsion systems to enable longer duration sattelite missions in Ultra Low Earth Orbit (ULEO) - i.e. below 250 kms altitude. ULEO has traditionally remained largely inaccessible due to high atmospheric drag and fuel constraints. LEO itself (500-700km altitude) is a crowded space - both in terms of competitors as well as space debris. Orbitt's propulsion system uses residual atmospheric gases as propellant instead of carrying traditional fuel. $1M pre-seed round. The fundraise will go towards a first space demo mission by mid 2026. Both founders are ex-ISRO scientists from its Space Applications Centre - working at ISRO the last eight years before starting Orbitt Space this February.

AI for QA and QC in the construction industry, that automatically detects and tracks every defect across the construction site. A ~30mm accurate 3D model of the site is built using helmet mounted 360 degree cameras. The company claims it is seeing early enterprise adoption in India and abroad. $1.2M seed round. Founded at Entrepreneur First. Founders: the CEO, IIT Bombay was an EIR at Entrepreneur First and Head of Autonomy at Airbound. The CTO, IIT Madras, was the AI Lead and on the founding team of the ePlane Company. Comps: SitePace (funded by SucSEED Ventures in April) is a direct comp.

CO2 removal company. Their tech locks away carbon for thousands of years through “enhanced rock weathering” on farmlands. This TechCrunch article explains the carbon removal process / the tech behind it well. Started out with a pilot on the founders own tea estate in Darjeeling, now scaling up across North Bengal. $12M seed round. Angels in the round: Jason Zhao, Amrendra Singh, Tanmay Bhat, Arjun Soin, Nakuul Mehta, Arjun Ramani, Advaith Vishwanath, Rahul Seth. Founders: CEO Shrey was Chief of Staff at SuperShare and Lead Product Manager at Seekho; Co-Founder & President Sparsh is also the Co-Founder of Dorje Teas. This TechCrunch article explains the carbon removal process at Alt Carbon well.

Off-grid zero-emission hybrid power systems for defense, homeland security, disaster management and telecom clients. Customers including DRDO, Indian Railways, Lockheed Martin and Bharat Electronics. Its Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology provides energy systems that can be used above 18,000 feet/in temperatures below -35°C. $1M seed round. The founder was with the central government for over twenty years, including as Network and Server Farm Incharge.

In-space servicing firm, with a goal to extend the operational lifespan of satellites and reduce orbital debris. The company is developing propulsion; robotics; and Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD) systems in-house. This fundraise is to space-qualify its technology over the next year. The company aims to combine India’s cost-effective engineering with hardware capabilities from East Asia. $5.6M seed round. Other investors in the round: Antler India, DeVC, MGF Kavachh, Anicut Capital. Speciale, Antler and Veda led the $1.5M pre-seed in 2023. The company is also supported by the Ministry of Defence’s iDEX Program. Founders: the CEO has been a professor at IIT Bombay since 2010. The CTO was a researcher there for eight years.

High-resolution thermal imaging through a constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Applications across agriculture, environmental conservation, urban planning and defence. "Beyond economics, thermal EO can help cut 2 Gigaton of GHG emissions annually and drive nature-positive action". In agriculture, for example, thermal imaging optimizes irrigation practices and prevents crop failure. Other investors in the round: Java Capital, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, angels Manish Gandhi and Dheer Baldua. Two of the three founders are from Amnex Infotechnologies - heading business development for satellite solutions. The third was a scientist at ISRO for 26 years.

Robotic systems that automate exterior building maintenance, currently operating in Chennai. Saves 70% in time, 50% in cost and 15% in materials used; with applications in both building cleaning and painting. ₹1.5CR seed round. It was earlier part of the Brigade REAP Accelerator. The founders come from Flipkart (supply chain), Air Defence Agency (electrical design) and TCS (systems engineering).

Nanomaterials for energy storage. Has developed ion-selective membranes that serve as critical components for electrolysers used in green hydrogen production and for redox flow batteries in long duration energy storage (LDES) systems. Existing membranes fall short in durability, efficiency or cost-effectiveness - solving these is critical for the clean energy transition. ₹25CR seed round - Ankur Capital's first deal from Fund III. The startup is Philadelphia and BLR based. The founders are material scientists. Murari has been working on this for the last six years, almost straight out of U-Penn; Nagesh spent 10 years at Thermax and was Founder in Residence at Entrepreneur First.

AI-integrated medical device for early disease detection - scans a person's health in 60 seconds without the need for a doctor. 700 biomarkers are monitored with patents in India (US pending). ₹6.6CR (~$770K) seed round. Other investors in the round: Sanchi Connect. Both founders are engineers: Saniya started almost straight out of the Symbiosis University of Applied Sciences; Lokant out of IIM-Lucknow. (BTech at IET DAVV Indore). Comps: Prantae Solutions (IAN); Neuranics (IPV) - much more specific use cases.

Aerospace startup developing advanced propulsion and power systems. Its first three engine prototypes will undergo trials with local UAV manufacturers, reducing India's dependence on imported propulsion systems. Its small gas turbines also have uses cases for decentralised power generation for the oil & gas and manufacturing industries. $3M seed round. All three founders are ex Rolls Royce and GE.