Mumbai-based space-tech startup InspeCity has secured Rs 100 crore ($10.5 million) in a pre-Series A funding round to advance its satellite servicing and life-extension technologies in orbit. The funding round was co-led by venture capital firm Speciale Invest and prominent investor Ashish Kacholia. Other participants included Antler Elevate, Antler India, Shastra VC, and Manish Gandhi.
The IIT Bombay-incubated company previously raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding and $5.6 million (Rs 46 crore) in a seed round. This latest round reinforces growing investor interest in India’s emerging private space sector.
Founded in 2022 by Arindrajit Chowdhury, InspeCity develops In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities to maintain satellites and tackle orbital space debris.
The company is developing the VEDA (Vehicle for Life-Extension and Deorbiting Activities) architecture, powered by several proprietary core systems:
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GITA: Green propulsion system for spacecraft mobility.
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CHAKSU: AI-driven sensor unit for navigation, tracking, and proximity operations.
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RAMA: Robotic motorized arm designed for in-orbit manipulation.
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SPARSH: Autonomous docking and propellant refuelling mechanism.
InspeCity will utilize the capital for flight qualification and scaling commercial activities. Over the next 12 to 18 months, the company plans to launch four in-orbit demonstration missions under its RIG-X, VEDA-X, and SAMA-X roadmaps to validate autonomous docking, refuelling, and robotic servicing capabilities in space.
[FAQs] Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does space-tech startup InspeCity do?
InspeCity builds autonomous in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing technologies to refuel satellites, extend operational lifespans, and address growing space debris in orbit.
2. Who led InspeCity’s pre-Series A round?
The Rs 100 crore round was co-led by Speciale Invest and investor Ashish Kacholia, alongside Antler Elevate, Antler India, and Shastra VC.
3. What will InspeCity do with the funding?
The startup will fund flight qualifications, scale commercial operations, and execute four in-orbit demonstration missions over the next 12 to 18 months.