India’s space-tech startup ecosystem has witnessed massive growth in the last 6 to 7 years since the announcement of the draft space activities bill in 2017. Companies based out of India are driving key innovations in the entire spectrum of the space sector to compete at a global scale.
“The government is catalyzing the sector through various avenues, with the recent announcement of the Public-Private Partnership to establish a full-fledged Earth Observation System. Through this public-private partnership and the support of IN-SPACe, new-age startups operating in the space tech sector now have the opportunity to collaborate with ISRO and other key players like never before,” Akash Yalagach, CTO and Co-Founder, KaleidEO, tells FinancialExpress.com on the eve of the first National Space Day.
According to him, India has the potential to become a leader in the space-tech sector by leveraging its strong IT infrastructure, skilled talent pool and most importantly the heritage of the 55-year-old space journey of ISRO. This ecosystem is expanding not only by driving technological advancements in satellite manufacturing, launch services, and ground systems but also by contributing to applications in agriculture, disaster management, communication, and environmental monitoring. The emergence of startups in the sector has brought up new ideas related to small satellite constellations, reusable rockets, and edge computing. These advancements position India as a strong player in the global space ecosystem.”
Following are excerpts from an exclusive interaction:
How are Indian space-tech start-ups uniquely positioned to leverage emerging technologies and capitalize on market opportunities?
Indian space-tech startups greatly benefit from a supportive regulatory environment and government policies that encourage private sector participation in the space industry. India’s technological know-how in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics provides a strong foundation for developing cutting-edge space solutions.
We can catapult ourselves into the best possibilities by using cost-effective, scalable technologies that both domestic and international markets can cater to. For instance, the use of Earth Observation data in solving challenges towards credit access in the agricultural sector in India. Further leveraging new edge computing technologies to improve turnaround time in data processing and generating insights leads to better solutions at the end-user level. With a deep understanding of local challenges and a global outlook, Indian space-tech startups are well-equipped to address the growing demand for space-based services across various industries.
How will the recently announced Rs 1000 crore venture capital fund accelerates the growth of space tech start-ups?
The VC fund announced in the recent budget is a great start to act as a seed fund for the emerging space sector. It indicates the commitment and trust of the government in the space sector. This will definitely provide much-needed financial support to very early-stage startups, enabling them to invest in R&D, test innovative products and also the go-to-market strategy.
However, any deep tech venture requires much larger capital to scale the innovation and ensure the product is a success. To ensure the Indian space sector truly competes on the global stage, a much larger fund will be necessary in the future, similar to a few other countries that have poured millions of dollars into the private space sector. An important aspect which gets sidelined about space-tech innovation is the multiplier positive impact it has on society through direct and indirect applications. This shall, in the process, spur innovation, encourage competition, and thus help cement India’s position as a hub for space-tech innovation.
Journey and key milestones achieved so far
KaleidEO’s journey began with a vision to maximize the value captured from each pixel of EO data. Since its inception, we have achieved several key milestones that underscore its growth and impact on the industry. Infact, KaleidEO became the first private spacetech player from India to successfully test edge computing in space and test its high resolution, multispectral optical payload prototype in a maiden aerial flight.
Strategic Partnerships: KaleidEO has established significant partnerships like with ReOrbit, which has allowed the company to advance its technology and broaden its market reach
Edge Computing Demonstrations: We have successfully demonstrated edge computing in space, showcasing the ability to process data in near real-time and improve the turnaround time for products, which is crucial for applications like disaster management.
Payload tech demo: We tested our prototype version of the high-resolution, high-swath payload on an aircraft platform flying at 20,000 ft. This qualifies the critical technology within the payload that allows us to improve the resolution and quality of the data captured.
Satellite Launch Plans: We have plans to launch satellites equipped with high-resolution, high-swath payload along with edge computing capabilities in the upcoming years, marking a major step forward in our mission to create a robust space infrastructure.
Growth strategy and future plans in India?
Our growth strategy in India is centered around expanding our technological capabilities, deepening our market presence, and fostering strategic partnerships. We are focused on developing and deploying next-generation satellites with high-resolution, high-swath multispectral payload along with edge computing capabilities, which will enable near real-time data processing and analytics for a wide range of applications.
We have started offering a unique Earth Observation Infrastructure-as-a-Service (EO-IaaS) model, providing comprehensive, customisable services that reduce costs, speed up turnaround time, and offer scalability in setting up an Earth Observation system for the entire EO value chain. We leverage and combine the strengths of our partners to deliver this solution.
We envision becoming a key player in driving the global space economy, expanding our services beyond India to international markets. We are also exploring opportunities in emerging technologies like innovative detector technologies and optical communication, which will further enhance our offerings and drive growth. By continuously innovating and adapting to market needs, we are poised to lead the next wave of growth in the Indian space tech industry.