Mechanical engineers by training, the two are entrepreneurs at heart, with Anoop having previously attempted a hyper-local medicine delivery venture while Ravi co-founded another electric mobility venture that he exited.

Anoop recalled that the idea for Moonrider was sparked by a conversation with a progressive farmer, who noted that while diesel is expensive, farm electricity is often free. Today, Moonrider is a vertically integrated leader, developing proprietary battery technology and power electronics in-house to achieve price parity with diesel.

In this conversation, we explore their moonshot journey — named in honour of the Chandrayaan launch — and discuss the future of connected and autonomous farming. Join us for an inside look at how Moonrider aims to drive the global shift toward sustainable, electric mechanization.

Chapters

(00:41) Introduction to Moonrider and the vision for a global electric vehicle platform.

(01:45) The Chandrayaan inspiration and the eureka moment for electric tractors.

(07:57) Disrupting India’s million-tractor market and improving energy security.

(09:27) Reimagining ownership through rental models and compressed biogas partnerships.

(15:19) Analyzing the economics of electric versus diesel farming costs.

(17:17) Driving vertical integration and R&D to reach price parity with diesel.

(29:31) Leveraging connected technology and computer vision for higher farm yields.

(36:05) Navigating the global roadmap toward autonomous agricultural pods.

(42:26) Building a high-voltage hardware ecosystem for entrepreneurs in India.

(51:38) Personal reflections on early entrepreneurial side-gigs and founding lessons.

The first cohort of the India deep tech accelerator at University of Chicago’s Polsky Center. Image courtesy Polsky Center.

(00:00) Just the headlines, if you only have a minute

(01:26) The Polsky Center selects 20 Indian startups for first accelerator

The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center has named 20 startups to the first cohort of its India Deep Tech Accelerator, a global programme for IIT-affiliated ventures. The 10-week accelerator is designed to help founders turn research-heavy ideas into market-ready companies through workshops, coaching, and access to customers, partners and investors in India and the US.

The cohort spans AI, robotics, climate and energy, healthtech, semiconductors, space and industrial software. Selected companies include Adaapt, Augle.AI, BioSky Space Innovations, Curium Life, Folium Sensing, NXPEC Technologies, Timble AI and Zodhya Technologies.

(02:20) C-CAMP opens applications for NBEC 2026

C-CAMP has opened applications for the 9th National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition, a platform for bio-entrepreneurs, startups, student teams, researchers and innovators in the life sciences. The programme will offer mentorship, industry exposure and funding support, with selected startups and individuals eligible for cash prizes and investment opportunities of up to INR 20 crore.

Student teams can win up to INR 10 lakh, and shortlisted applicants will attend a two-day bootcamp led by experts from IIM Ahmedabad. The competition was launched by Karnataka IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge at C-CAMP.

(03:15) IIT Madras opens California hub for Indian deep-tech startups

IIT Madras Global Research Foundation has launched its first US centre in Menlo Park, California, to help Indian deep-tech startups scale internationally. The hub, established with CA Startups, will focus on research, startup incubation, commercialisation and access to global capital, markets and partnerships.

The project carries a planned investment of $7.5 million, including a $4.5 million greenfield investment from IITM Global. The centre is positioned near Silicon Valley and is intended to strengthen India–US innovation ties, with a second US centre planned for the East Coast.

(04:02) IIT Bombay launches India’s first CCUS field lab

IIT Bombay has inaugurated an integrated pilot facility for carbon capture, utilisation and storage, marking India’s first end-to-end CCUS field laboratory. The project combines an indigenous carbon capture plant with geological CO2 sequestration in Deccan basalt formations, and was launched by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan under the Bharat Innovates 2026 initiative.

The institute said the facility uses a patented aqueous CO2 capture technology and is meant to support India’s long-term net-zero goals through a self-reliant carbon mitigation model.

(04:49) Government maps climate risk in 651 farm districts

The Centre has assessed climate vulnerability across 651 predominantly agricultural districts and found 310 to be at risk, including 109 classified as very highly vulnerable and 201 as highly vulnerable. The assessment, carried out under ICAR’s National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture programme using IPCC protocols, is being used to scale up climate-resilient farming practices, district agriculture contingency plans and farmer support measures across India.

ICAR has also expanded climate-resilient technologies through model villages, KVKs and training programmes, while the government is promoting crop insurance, water-efficient irrigation and resilient seed varieties to help farmers cope with droughts, floods and heat stress.

(05:52) India’s clean energy transition bolsters economic resilience

Clean energy transition is now central to India’s economic resilience and growth strategy, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi said at the CII Green Business Summit 2026. He highlighted that India has achieved 47 percent of its power capacity from non-fossil sources, ahead of schedule for the 2030 target of 50 percent, with renewables growing at 15.4 percent annually against 4.1 percent for fossil fuels.

Minister Joshi emphasised investments in green hydrogen, battery storage and nuclear energy as key to energy security and net-zero goals by 2070.

(06:41) Flo Mobility raises $2.5 million in pre-Series A

Bengaluru-based construction robotics startup Flo Mobility has raised $2.5 million in a pre-Series A round co-led by Mela Ventures and Arali Ventures. The funding will scale manufacturing, enhance its AI and autonomy stack, expand deployments across India and enter international markets, particularly the Middle East.

The company builds autonomous robots for material movement on construction sites, addressing labour shortages and improving efficiency. Flo Mobility’s robots are already deployed across 10 Indian states with clients including Larsen & Toubro, Godrej Properties and Sobha.

(07:28) HrdWyr raises $13 million Series A to build AI-native chips

Ramamurthy Sivakumar and Ganesh Guruswamy, founders of HrdWyr, have just announced a $13 million Series A investment led by Indeaspring Capital. Image courtesy: Sivakumar.

HrdWyr has raised $13 million in Series A funding led by Ideaspring Capital, with participation from Singularity AMC, Avatar Growth Capital and Persistent Systems. The fabless semiconductor company in Bengaluru will use the capital to accelerate development of its AI-native System-on-Chip products and expand customer engagements across global markets.

HrdWyr said its chips are ...

Catch the full conversation right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a short preview.

Pulkit Agrawal, Co-Founder of Eka Robotics. Image souce: Agrawal’s website.

Eka Robotics has emerged from stealth with a Vision-Force-Action model that it says can push robots beyond the long-standing trade-off between generality and speed in manipulation tasks. The Cambridge, Massachusetts startup was co-founded in 2025 by MIT’s Pulkit Agrawal and former DeepMind researcher Tuomas Haarnoja. The deep tech entrepreneurs are pitching force sensing and simulation as the route to more capable machines.

In robotics, much of the recent excitement has centred on vision-language-action systems, which treat language as a bridge to physical control. Eka says that is too indirect for the contact-rich realities of the physical world. Its approach instead tries to make robots learn mass, friction and inertia through practice in high-fidelity simulation, then transfer those skills to the messier settings of factories and homes.

Across the robotics industry, the race is on to build foundation models that can scale across tasks, rather than brittle systems tuned for one environment, and the prize is a larger share of warehouse work, light manufacturing and household assistance. The strategic question is whether the winning path is imitation from human data, reinforcement learning in the real world, or simulation-first training that seeks to compress years of trial and error into computational time.

“We’re building intelligence for the physical world in its native language: forces,” Pulkit Agrawal wrote on LinkedIn. In the same post, he added that robotics has long faced a trade-off between “generality” and “speed,” and that “the real world requires both”.

Eka’s presentation suggests confidence that force-aware control can do more than sort objects or pick up toys. The company has highlighted tasks such as screwing in a light bulb and handling slippery items, small feats that still define the frontier of robotic manipulation. For now, the message is as important as the model: the next leap in robotics, Eka is arguing, will come not from making machines more verbal, but from making them more physical.

In this episode, Stuti Kakkar, co-founder of MEINE Electric, a battery energy storage tech startup, unpacks the government’s proposed Approved List of Battery Manufacturers (ALBM) that is reportedly in the works as part of its ambitious $38 billion push to deploy 47 gigawatts of battery storage.

Similar to the solar industry’s ALMM framework, this list aims to mandate localised supply chains for government projects, reducing a heavy reliance on imports, particularly from China, which currently controls over 90 percent of the supply chain. Stuti explains why this move is a game-changer for hardware startups.

While traditional lithium-ion batteries face domestic mineral shortages, alternative chemistries like Iron-Air can be up to 95 percent indigenous from day zero, she says.

Stuti also touches upon how these policy shifts provide the demand visibility for hardware-centric startups, which is needed to scale India’s deep-tech ecosystem.

Stuti Kakkar

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuti-kakkar/

Press release on the government’s plan for BESS development: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2246898®=3&lang=2

Founder and CEO Saurabh Chandra with Ati Robotics’ humanoid research prototype Mecha at the company’s products day last year. Image credit: Hari Arakali.

Ati Motors has renamed itself Ati Robotics to better reflect its evolution into a “material orchestration” specialist, the Bengaluru-based provider of autonomous mobile robots said in a recent press release.

The Indian robotics company is moving to win an early lead in this industry-wide shift: the world’s biggest manufacturers, including some of Ati’s customers, are looking at not just deploying robots anymore, but at holistic automation and AI-led solutions that make their overall operations more efficient.

Top manufacturing and factory executives are beginning to understand that in the modern industrial landscape, a machine that moves autonomously isn’t in itself the goal. It’s how one can harness the combination of many such robots, the multiple processes in the factory and the dynamically changing roles of the humans involved to get closer to a “lights out” facility.

“Automation doesn’t stop at the robot,” Founder and CEO Saurabh Chandra, said in the press release, adding the company has built an integrated platform comprising robots, fleet intelligence, AI agents, and the orchestration software that ties them all to the systems running modern factories.

“Ati Robotics is not a new company. It is the honest description of the company we have already become,” Chandra said.

By adopting a name that encompasses its broader ambitions in artificial intelligence and systems orchestration, Ati Robotics is signalling that its own future lies not in the hardware of locomotion, but in the software of intelligence.

Ati was founded in 2017, and has its roots in India’s top scientific research university, the Indian Institute of Science. The company’s Sherpa line of AMRs (tuggers, pallet lifters and so on) have been deployed with more than 70 enterprise customers, and the robots have tracked some 2 million autonomous missions with a success rate of 99 percent, according to the release.

The shift to material orchestration is a necessary one, driven by a chronic shortage of skilled labor and a desperate need for efficiency in the face of fragmented supply chains. Manufacturers want to move away from the “yellow cages” of fixed robotics toward flexible, autonomous systems that can navigate human-centric environments.

For companies such as Ati, this means the competition has shifted from basic hardware reliability to the sophistication of the “digital brains” that can manage fleets — often comprising many different types of robots.

For startups and incumbents alike, the challenge is no longer just making a robot that can carry a pallet, but creating a system that can rethink how that pallet moves in real-time.

One immediate opportunity is the so-called brownfield facility — an existing factory with sunk investments in human-centric infrastructure and equipment. The best solution that can integrate the existing gear effectively at minimal cost will win.

“Customers don’t just buy a robot from us. They buy a material orchestration system – coordination, intelligence, and scalability aligned to how their factory actually works,” says Chris Dolbow, vice president of marketing at Ati. “The shift to Ati Robotics sharpens how we describe what we deliver: the right fit for automation today with intelligent innovation for the future.”

Ati is backed by investors including Walden Catalyst Ventures, NGP Capital and its early-stage investor MFV Partners. The Bengaluru-headquartered company is moving to build on its momentum in the competitive North American and APAC markets. It has also already successfully deployed its orchestration solution at some early customers, CEO Chandra says.

Generated image for illustration: Globe showing interconnected climate data centers and data flow lines across continents

The transition to a low-carbon economy is often framed as a struggle resulting from a combination of engineering challenges and lack of political willpower. A new vision paper argues that the true bottleneck is an information deficit. The Climate and Sustainability Data Exchange (CSDX), a proposed universal digital infrastructure, seeks to move beyond “siloed, project-level fixes” to provide the “shared rails” necessary for a planetary-scale coordination system.

The CSDX vision paper is the result of a collaboration between StepChange and Beckn. StepChange, a climate-tech venture in Bengaluru founded by MIT alumni Ankit Jain and Sidhant Pai, provides a strategic framework for managing ESG, carbon accounting, and climate risk.

Beckn, now called Network for Humanities (NFH, previously the Beckn Foundation), is an international network of labs focused on building open, interoperable digital infrastructure for population-scale systems. It offers the eponymous Beckn protocol, a foundational open protocol that enables interoperable, decentralized digital interactions without reliance on central platforms.

It was co-founded in 2019 by Nandan Nilekani, founding chairman of Aadhaar, India’s Unique ID Authority, Pramod Varma, Aadhaar’s former chief architect, and Sujith Nair, who also serves as its Steward, according to his LinkedIn profile.

The current landscape of sustainability data is a thicket of fragmented portals and manual entries, particularly in the Global South, where information is “limited in quality, expensive to access, and fragile in trust,” the authors of the paper say. Without a common language, capital is frequently mispriced, and the progress of supply chains remains invisible to the regulators and financiers who might otherwise reward decarbonization, they add.

StepChange and Beckn envision a neutral alliance of core members who will act as stewards for the infrastructure, maintaining common schemas and onboarding policies to keep the digital rails accessible and transparent. By combining their technological and environmental expertise, the collaboration seeks to create a federated network where producers, financiers, and regulators can exchange trusted sustainability data at near-zero marginal cost.

The proposal arrives as global climate-driven disaster costs surpass $400 billion annually and energy-related CO₂ emissions have climbed to an all-time high of 37.8 gigatonnes. With atmospheric concentrations now 50 percent higher than pre-industrial levels, the CSDX initiative aims to standardize the reporting of ESG, carbon accounting, and climate risk to bridge the “data-poor” gap that currently prevents global markets from pricing resilience accurately.

“Like railways, container shipping, or the internet, CSDX provides a minimal, interoperable digital rail that allows any actor to publish and pull records in a common language, at near-zero marginal cost,” StepChange and NFH say.

• ESG Management captures the broad set of non-financial outcomes enterprises create across environment, society, and governance.
• Carbon Accounting provides a rigorous, quantifiable subset of environmental impacts with unique salience for decarbonization.
• Climate Risk ensures that external climate dynamics are translated into financial terms, enabling efficient capital allocation and resilience planning.

Using the Beckn protocol, CSDX envisions a federated architecture where data is “governed at source while becoming globally discoverable.” By aligning with global frameworks like the ISSB and CSRD, the platform ensures that “water-withdrawal intensity,” for example, or “Scope 3” emissions mean the same thing to a textile factory in Nairobi as they do to a bank in Frankfurt.

This is not merely an exercise in corporate disclosure; it is an attempt to create a “functioning control system for the real economy,” where sustainability is embedded into every purchase order and loan decision.

Note:
This copy was updated to include the names of StepChange’s founders, the network NFH, and correct Sujith Nair’s designation.

Inertia Enterprises co-founders (L-R) Prof. Mike Dunne, Jeff Lawson, Dr. Annie Kritcher. The company has struck a strategic partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to commercialise nuclear fusion science. Image courtesy Inertia

(00:22) Microsoft clarifies stance on carbon credits purchases

Microsoft issued a clarification after reports earlier this month that it had informed carbon credit developers of a temporary halt in new purchases. That news, reported first by Heatmap News, had caused immediate ripples in the carbon removal sector, as Microsoft has been the market’s dominant force, representing roughly 90 percent of global durable carbon removal purchases in 2025.

Microsoft Chief Sustainability Officer Melanie Nakagawa clarified that the “carbon removal program has not ended,” according to reports including those from ESG Dive and ESG Today. The company remains committed to its goal of becoming carbon negative by 2030.

(01:20) Fission startup X-energy files for $800 million IPO

Nuclear energy startup X-energy has officially launched its investor roadshow, filing for an initial public offering to raise up to $800 million, TechCrunch reports. The Maryland-based company is targeting a valuation of approximately $7.5 billion, with shares priced between $16 and $19.

(02:13) Inertia partners US national lab to commercialise fusion science

Inertia Enterprises has signed a landmark strategic partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to transition experimental fusion science into a commercial energy source. The collaboration includes a licensing agreement for nearly 200 patents and joint research focused on scaling the laser-driven technology used to achieve “ignition” at the National Ignition Facility.

(03:30) Battery recycler Ascend Elements files for bankruptcy

Ascend Elements, a leading U.S. battery recycling startup, has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to address a critical liquidity crisis, MLQ.ai reports. Despite raising over $500 million from high-profile investors like Honda and SK On, the company faced insurmountable financial pressure from plummeting lithium-ion material prices and significant construction delays at its primary facilities.

(04:47) US Department of Energy restores $1.2 billion for carbon removal

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has reversed its decision to cancel funding for major climate initiatives, restoring support for carbon direct air capture (DAC) projects previously awarded under the Biden administration, World Energy News reports. The move, confirmed in a report to Congress, ensures that nearly 2,000 projects will retain their funding after a period of intense review by the current administration.

(05:37) India officially withdraws bid to host UN climate summit in 2028

The Indian government has formally rescinded its offer to host the 33rd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP33) in 2028, Reuters reports. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the withdrawal after a press briefing on Friday last, stating that “several issues” were considered following a review of the country’s commitments for that year.

(06:26) Steel emissions reduction target

India’s own efforts continue, towards meeting its target of hitting net zero by 2070. The Indian government has drafted a comprehensive National Steel Policy roadmap aiming to double the nation’s crude steel capacity to 400 million tonnes by 2035-36. According to internal documents and recent ministry briefings at the Bharat Steel 2026 summit, this expansion will be paired with a mandatory 25% reduction in carbon emissions intensity, Reuters reported earlier this month.

(07:37) World Bank shareholders seek solution to preserve climate strategy

International shareholders of the World Bank, led by France, are urgently seeking ways to maintain the lender’s climate change financing strategy after its official expiration in June, Reuters reports. French development minister Éléonore Caroit stated during the IMF-World Bank spring meetings in Washington that letting the current action plan lapse is “unacceptable.”

In this episode, I catch up with Saurabh Chandra, founder and CEO at Ati Motors, to discuss his views on how factory automation is evolving in the era of physical AI, as robots finally begin to “break out of the yellow cages” of safety zones.

Ati Motors makes autonomous mobile robots for materials movement in factories, and its customers include several Fortune 500 companies. As Ati expands its footprint into the US market, Saurabh outlines a future where Physical AI and software agents work in tandem to redefine the “Digital Assembly Line.”

The idea of a “lights out” factory or a “dark factory” is decades old. Engineers dreamed of fully automated installations where robots and machines took over — without human intervention — and made useful things for us. Cars, for example.

But a combination of both technical challenges and real-world non-engineering problems ensured that such factories remained more science fiction and less reality. Until recently. Today, many experts in the industry and advanced manufacturing believe that we’re approaching a tipping point with respect to automation and robotics technologies.

In this conversation, Saurabh outlines the idea of an AI-led materials movement orchestration platform that Ati has already deployed with some early customers. The idea is that factory executives are beginning to realize that the real value on the shop floor isn’t the robot itself, but the material it moves.

Saurabh explains why traditional ERP systems often fail to track Work-in-Progress (WIP) inventory, leaving a visibility problem as SKU complexity has multiplied manifold over the last 15 years. By creating a “spatial system of record” that tracks every trolley, bin, and staging area in real-time, Ati Motors is helping global giants move from intuitive management to quantified, data-driven orchestration.

Global manufacturing is currently caught in a pincer movement of structural labour shortages across advanced economies and a geopolitical push to reshore production closer to end consumers. As the “factory of the world” model decentralises away from China, the future of Western industrial hubs depends on their ability to integrate “physical AI” that can handle the hyper-personalised, high-SKU demands of modern commerce.

This manufacturing arms race, increasingly prioritized by the boards of Fortune 500 companies, is turning autonomous orchestration from an experimental project into the essential infrastructure of 21st-century industrial sovereignty.

“A lot of people in large companies, for whom status quo was their friend, find that situation is now absolutely in the past,” Saurabh notes during the interview. And at Ati, “we have really transformed into an organization where the robots are the means to the end, which is finally making sure that the factory runs in the way it’s supposed to. The goal is to create a system of record for the shop floor — integrating physical agents, software agents, and humans into a single, intelligent orchestration layer.”

The platform, Ati Flow, also considers how physical AI or robots, software AI agents and humans will all interact making factories of the future more efficient and sustainable. And Saurabh gives us a sense of how the journey to the dark factory will likely involve three phases and how he thinks Ati can catalyse and facilitate that transformation.

Chapters

(01:24) The evolution of Physical AI and the future factory

(03:43) Market traction and the new urgency for AI agents

(07:44) Manufacturing vs. warehousing: the complexity of making things 

(11:35) The 10X SKU problem and the latent demand for data 

(17:23) From Robot vendor to material orchestration platform

(22:05) Real-world RoI: reconciling inventory and reducing assembly line starvation

(30:50) The three-phase roadmap to the dark factory

(35:35) Specialization vs. mimicry: breaking the “Yellow Box” metaphor

(43:28) Global manufacturing 2030: the democratisation of gigafactories

But a combination of both technical challenges and real-world non-engineering problems ensured that such factories remained more science fiction and less reality. Until recently. Today, many experts in industry and advanced manufacturing believe that we’re approaching an “inflection point” — yes, that cliche, but it might be true — with respect to automation and robotics technologies.

Saurabh Chandra, founder and CEO at Ati Motors, discussed his views on some of these points with me earlier this week. Ati makes autonomous mobile robots for materials movement in factories, and it’s customers include several Fortune 500 companies.

Saurabh spoke about how Ati is preparing for the “Future Factory” where robots will no longer stay in the safety zones of “yellow cages” but mix with humans and other robots. He outlined the idea of a materials (and robots and even human) movement orchestration, which Ati has already developed an early platform for, envisioning the physical AI, software AI agents and humans all interacting with one another in making factories more efficient and sustainable.

Catch the full conversation right here on Friday, April 10, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a one-minute preview, with Saurabh explaining how we’ll rendezvous with robots.

We dive into Bain’s four-point definition of humanoids — adaptive intelligence, spatial perception, bipedal dexterity, and sustained power — and talk about how the current battery technologies remain the “long pole in the tent” for true autonomy.

Arjun outlines the three waves of adoption that are discussed in a recent note that he co-authored, predicting that while industrial brownfield settings will see scale within three to five years, consumer-centric home robots are at least a decade away.

You will also find interesting insights on the following topics: The role of generative AI as a “foundational capability,” allowing robots to learn via observation and training data rather than rigid, scenario-based programming; the evolution of specific task-oriented robots versus truly general-purpose humanoids; and where might the eventual “control points” lie, as Arjun put it, of humanoid robots – meaning, who’ll control the most critical technologies in these robots?

Lastly, we touched upon his advice for India’s deep tech entrepreneurs, discussing the merits of “going narrow” and how to navigate the reliability and regulatory hurdles of the US market.

Chapters

(00:55) Introduction to Arjun Dutt and the rise of physical intelligence

(04:40) Why generative AI makes the shift to physical automation feel inevitable

(06:16) Defining the four pillars of a modern humanoid robot

(08:42) Generative AI as a foundational capability for robotic learning

(11:33) Addressing global labor shortages through brownfield automation

(15:26) Understanding the three waves of humanoid adoption

(18:40) Expected timelines for industrial, professional, and home robotics

(23:21) Why battery technology remains the long pole in the tent

(28:38) Current pilot use cases from automotive plants to warehouses

(34:10) Choosing between task-specific and general-purpose strategies

(37:07) Navigating human factors and the complex regulatory landscape

(43:24) Strategic advice for Indian deep tech entrepreneurs

CynLr is headquartered in Bengaluru, with an advanced R&D Lab in Switzerland and a growing customer-facing operation in the US, where Gokul’s fellow founder Nikhil Ramaswamy is based.

The entrepreneur duo and its 85-member team are tackling a challenge that scientists and engineers have been working on for several decades: the ability for robots to intuitively handle unfamiliar objects without custom programming or prior training.

In this conversation, Gokul explains their new “Object Intelligence Stack,” a system designed to imitate some of the functions related how a human brain might learn — much like a baby impulsively grasping a new toy without knowing its name or purpose.

By collaborating with the Centre for Neuroscience at the Indian Institute of Science, CynLr is translating brain-function research into a sophisticated software and sensor framework. Shifting the focus from algorithms that work on data to the “physics of objects,” CynLr’s intelligence stack is what Gokul describes as the precursor to a “manipulation OS.”

Drawing parallels to Apple in the 1980s, Gokul shares his vision for a future of “object computers” and micro-factories – important components of CynLr’s vision for global manufacturing, where instead of Giga-factories, we might have fabrication facilities as small as a car dealership or even a garage.

Chapters

(00:00) Challenges of building a deep tech organization in an absent industry

(05:58) Imitating the human brain’s ability to handle unfamiliar objects

(09:18) Partnering with neuroscience researchers to replicate human intuition

(11:32) Developing a manipulation operating system and the future object store

(19:47) Automating assembly for automotive and semiconductor manufacturing

(25:17) Transitioning from rigid gigafactories to software-defined micro-factories

(35:49) Fostering a deep tech ecosystem to address the brain drain

(40:18) Strategic funding goals and the technical roadmap for scaling

Gokul and Nikhil are backed by investors including Speciale Invest, growX ventures, Pavestone VC, Athera Venture Partners (formerly Inventus India), Anicut Capital, Arali Ventures, Redstart Labs, and several other institutional and angel investors.

CynLr’s long-term vision also involves creating a manipulation operating system and an “object store” and a “task store” to transform flexible manufacturing, just as the App Store transformed the smartphone.

Currently, they are deploying these solutions in the automotive and semiconductor industries to automate some complex manual assembly processes.

In this conversation, Gokul also talks about some of the challenges of building a company like CynLr in India, where many important ingredients are missing, and what he thinks the industry can do to change that.

While battery chemistry has attracted a lot of innovation effort, e-TRNL is focusing on the cell architecture instead. Their core innovation, 3D Electrode Architecture (3DEA), moves away from the traditional 2D thin-layered designs found in everything from smartphones to current EVs.

By fundamentally changing how current flows inside the cell, 3DEA reduces resistance and heat at the source, Apoorv explains. This makes batteries “super resilient” to thermal waste – the excess heat generated within a battery cell during its operation, primarily caused by internal resistance – preventing the catastrophic “cascading” fires in some EV batteries.

Chapters

(00:00) Origins and the Vision for Indian Energy Independence

Apoorv discusses his background at Michigan State and IIT Bombay, the early challenges of building “know-how” from YouTube videos, and the motivation to build home-grown battery technology for India’s energy transition.

(04:36) Addressing EV Consumer “Wants”: Safety and Fast Charging

An exploration of why current battery technology fulfills basic necessities but not the “wants” of the industry, specifically focusing on the need for 15-minute charging and fundamental safety improvements.

(07:21) Reinventing Manufacturing: The 8-Step Modular Process

Apoorv explains how e-TRNL reinvented the traditional 24-step manufacturing process into a more efficient 8-step operation using modular, container-sized units to reduce energy and environment control costs.

(12:26) Unpacking 3D Electrode Architecture (3DA)

A deep dive into the company’s core innovation: moving from traditional 2D “tape” layers to a 3D honeycomb design that reduces internal resistance and heat, solving safety and charging issues at the design level.

(18:21) Prismatic Innovations and the Road to 2027

Discussion on the company’s patented prismatic cell architecture, the limitations of 30-year-old “magnetic tape” manufacturing standards, and the roadmap to hit pilot manufacturing by early 2027.

(24:44) Barriers to EV Adoption and the “Know-How” Challenge

Apoorv identifies convenience and safety as the primary limiters for EV adoption in India and discusses the difficulty of finding specialized battery talent within the country.

(31:26) The 27.5 Crore Seed Round and Investor Evolution

Details on the recent funding round led by I-Group and Alpha, and how the investor discourse around deep tech and hardware has shifted significantly since 2021.

(36:03) Fundraising Best Practices and Mitigating Deep Tech Risk

Advice for aspiring founders on clearly communicating a roadmap, managing expectations regarding manufacturing timelines, and learning from global industry failures.

Beyond safety, this architecture unlocks the capability for 15-minute fast charging and longer-lasting, lighter battery packs, he says.

Apoorv also explains how they have verticalized their technology stack, putting together manufacturing processes from the ground up: They have also condensed the conventional 24-step manufacturing process into a precise 8-step operation. And the entrepreneurs envision modular, container-sized factories that reduce energy consumption and that are better suited to markets that lack large-scale adoption.

In this episode, Apoorv also talks about how India’s deep tech landscape is changing, with the government catalysing the discourse in the country. And we takeaway some lessons from e-TRNL’s recent Rs. 27.4 crore seed round, and the roadmap to hit full-scale manufacturing.

Listen to the episode

Apoorv and Uttam recently announced raising Rs. 27.4 crore (About $3 million) in seed funding, led by IAN Group (Indian Angel Network), with Navam Capital, and existing investors Speciale Invest, Micelio and others also joining in.
You can catch the full conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a 60-second preview with Apoorv talking about how the deep tech landscape in India is undergoing a government-led transformation.

So, this morning, I drove up to the new office that Apoorv Shaligram and Uttam Kumar Sen and their team at e-TRNL Energy have set up – still being given some final touches before a formal inauguration soon.

Sat down with Apoorv to record the next episode of Conversations. And it’s always an awesome experience to do this in-person, in whatever conditions present themselves onsite, in terms of light and sound. (I did carry two Neever panels and my DJI wireless mics, and more on that in a separate note.)

I’ve had the privilege of being acquainted with this deep-tech entrepreneur duo – IIT Bombay alumni – almost from the time they set up e-TRNL and, in one early conversation a few years ago, they’d tried to help me understand the tech innovations they had in mind.

Today, we caught up in the context of their recent announcement of having raised Rs. 27.4 crore (About $3 million) in seed funding, led by IAN Group (Indian Angel Network), with Navam Capital, and existing investors Speciale Invest, Micelio and others also joining in.

We also spoke about the funding experience — what’s changed, what worked, best practices and so on. Catch all of that in the full conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcast, on Friday, Feb. 20.

Here’s a 90-second preview, with Apoorv explaining 3DEA, their 3D electrodes architecture.

By the way, I also just started a WhatsApp channel for anyone who prefers to keep track of their deep tech news and views that way.

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MEINE Electric is an Indian deep-tech startup in Chennai, developing iron-air battery systems designed for long-duration energy storage of 16 to 24 hours. Founders Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakar hope that these batteries will help accelerate India’s transition to net zero carbon emissions.

They use a process of controlled reversible rusting to create a cost-effective, sustainable alternative to lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage. By utilizing abundant materials like iron, air, and water, they aim to provide 100 percent renewable energy reliability for energy-intensive industries such as mining and data centres.

Their proprietary innovations include fast-charging capabilities and a unique gas-diffusion electrode that is compatible with high-volume manufacturing. The venture has secured pre-seed funding and plans to showcase its first product pilot later this year. Ultimately, they envision building a renewable energy ecosystem to stabilize the grid as global power demands shift toward green sources.

You can catch the full conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a quick point on how the founders are innovating to develop their product for scale.

Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakkar, founders of MEINE Electric, a deep tech startup in India, in the area of battery energy storage systems. Image source: MEINE Electric. Edited by Hari Arakali.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakkar, school friends turned co-founders at MEINE Electric, to talk about their innovations in developing iron-air battery energy storage systems (BESS) for long duration energy storage (LDES).

Renewable energy in India faces a fundamental problem of timing. Solar panels and wind turbines produce electricity when nature dictates, not necessarily when industrial factories require it. For the green transition to succeed, power must be stored for the long hours when the sun is down or the wind is still. While lithium-ion batteries serve short durations, they remain too costly for day-long storage.

Priyansh and Stuti are innovating in the area of controlled, reversible rusting, with the aim of providing energy storage for 16 to 24 hours at prices lower than with current options such as pumped hydro storage and of course lithium-ion batteries. Their approach uses materials abundantly available — iron, air, and water — to avoid the complicated supply chains associated with rarer metals.

Stuti Kakkar and Priyansh Mohan

In this episode, we get a peek into the engineering innovations behind their technology and some of the challenges that remain in the way of building deep tech companies from India. Backed by Rebalance, Antler, Venture Catalysts, gradCapital, and Anna Incubator, Stuti and Priyansh have recently raised a pre-seed investment in their venture.

They expect to showcase a pilot-ready version of their first product as early as later this year.

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction to MEINE Electric and Iron-Air Technology:

An overview of the timing problem in renewable energy and the startup’s mission to provide long-duration storage through controlled reversible rusting.

(01:40) The Founders’ Journey and Pivot to Stationary Storage:

Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakkar recount their shift from a college project involving electric motorbikes to focusing on the emerging market for long-duration storage (LDS).

(05:40) Why Iron-Air: Solving the Rechargeability and Cost Problem:

The founders explain how customer feedback regarding high operating costs led them to move away from aluminum-air batteries in favor of rechargeable iron-air chemistry.

(08:00) The Science of Controlled Rusting and Fast Charging:

A technical dive into the material science required to prevent iron electrodes from shedding material and the engineering behind matching solar duty cycles.

(11:15) Targeting Energy-Intensive Industries and Solar-Heavy Grids:

Discussion of the 16-to-24-hour “sweet spot” for storage and how the technology can reduce electricity costs for mining and data centers.

(18:00) Global Competition and the Shift to Daily Battery Cycles:

An analysis of the global landscape, including competitors like Form Energy, and why MEINE’s approach is tailored specifically for the APAC region.

(20:10) Scaling Modular Units for Industrial Loads:

Details on the 40kW modular battery units and the company’s roadmap for transitioning from R&D to mass production facilities.

(27:10) Funding Milestones and the 2030 Long-Term Vision:

The co-founders outline their capital needs, current pre-seed funding status, and the eventual goal of developing a software-driven data layer for the energy ecosystem.

Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakkar, founders of MEINE Electric in Chennai, are developing an Iron-air battery energy storage system that they hope will help reduce curtailment of renewables-based power.

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Renewable energy in India faces a fundamental problem of timing. Solar panels and wind turbines produce electricity when nature dictates, not necessarily when industrial factories require it. For the green transition to succeed, power must be stored for the long hours when the sun is down or the wind is still. While lithium-ion batteries serve short durations, they remain too costly for day-long storage.

Coming up on Feb. 10, in my next episode of Conversations at India Tech Report, I speak with Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakkar, friends from school turned co-founders – at MEINE Electric, to talk about their innovations in developing iron-air batteries for longer duration storage.

By controlling the process of reversible rusting, the duo aims to provide energy storage for 16 to 24 hours at a fraction of current prices. Their approach uses abundant materials — iron, air, and water — to avoid the complicated supply chains associated with rarer metals.

In this episode, we get a peek into the engineering innovations behind their technology and some of the challenges that remain in the way of building deep tech companies from India. Backed by Rebalance, Antler, Venture Catalysts and gradCapital, Stuti and Priyansh have raised a pre-seed funding recently.

They are working to release a pilot-ready version of their first product as early as later this year.

You can catch the full conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a 90-second preview.

Jay Panchal, founder and CEO at Aule Space, a Bengaluru space-tech startup that is developing a light-weight mission extension vehicle. Photograph by Hari Arakali.

Today I’m joined by Jay Panchal, founder and CEO of Aule Space, in Bengaluru. Jay started the company in 2024 with his fellow founders Nithyaa Giri, who’s Aule’s CTO, and Hrishit Tambi, its COO.

He talks about their efforts so far to develop “jetpacks” – sophisticated Mission Extension Vehicles (MEVs) designed for the task of rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD).

The trio of entrepreneurs has just raised $2 million in pre-seed funding led by pi Ventures, a well-known deep tech VC firm in Bengaluru.

Chapters

(00:50) Introduction to Aule Space, jetpack technology and RPOD.

(03:10) Jay’s journey: From BITS Pilani to Pixxel to Aule.

(08:17) Defining the problem: Debris and the robotic workforce. The hardest part of space operations.

(12:01) Ground testing and simulating microgravity, refining docking algorithms and mechanisms before launch.

(16:54) Developing autonomous navigation (GNC) systems.

(23:05) The global landscape, non-cooperative docking and Aule’s innovations.

(28:17) Scaling the Indian space ecosystem and supply chain.

(30:59) Roadmap: From tech demonstrators to a 20-jetpack fleet to robots tailored for manufacturing and assembly in space.

Aule Space founders (L-R) Hrishit Tambi, Jay Panchal and Nithyaa Giri. Image source: Aule Space. Edited by Hari Arakali.

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Aule is developing an innovative non-cooperative docking mechanism, giving its jetpacks the ability to latch onto satellites and debris not originally designed for docking. Its design combines a satellite-agnostic docking mechanism with AI-driven guidance, navigation and control algorithms, aiming to field one of the world’s lightest and most cost-efficient RPOD satellite fleets.

The company is targeting use-cases from life extension of high-value geostationary communications satellites and debris removal to defence applications such as close-in inspection for space-domain awareness. With the long-term vision of establishing a robotic workforce in space, Jay hopes that over the next five years, Aule will operate a fleet of jetpacks. Their technology demonstrator could be ready as early as next year.

Jay Panchal, founder and CEO at Aule Space, along with his fellow founders Nithyaa Giri and Hrishit Tambi, has raised $2 million led by pi Ventures, to build ‘jetpacks’ that can keep satellites going.

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Coming up on Tuesday, Feb. 3
For my next episode of Conversations at India Tech Report, I sat down with Jay Panchal, the young Founder and CEO at Aule Space.

Jay and his fellow founders Nithyaa Giri and Hrishit Tambi have raised pre-seed funding for Aule to build autonomous “jetpack” satellites that can dock with spacecraft that are running out of fuel and keep them going in orbit.

The round totals $2 million, led by pi Ventures with participation from several angel investors, including former Intelsat board member Eash Sundaram and Tonbo Imaging chief executive Arvind Lakshmikumar.

Founded in 2024 by Jay, Nithyaa and Hrishit, Aule Space is developing satellites that can safely approach, latch on to and manoeuvre other spacecraft, a class of capability known in the trade as Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD).

The company will use the new capital to expand its engineering team, build ground infrastructure for docking tests and ready its first demonstration satellites, slated to launch next year.

Aule’s design combines a satellite-agnostic docking mechanism with AI-driven guidance, navigation and control algorithms, aiming to field one of the world’s lightest and most cost-efficient RPOD satellite fleets. The company is targeting use-cases from life extension of high-value geostationary communications satellites and debris removal to defence applications such as close-in inspection for space-domain awareness.

Catch the full conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a quick preview.

Manish Singhal, founding partner at pi Ventures, is a leading early-stage VC investor in deep tech startups in India. Image source: pi Ventures. Edited by Hari Arakali.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Manish Singhal, founding partner of pi Ventures, a Bengaluru-based early-stage venture capital firm backing some of India’s most ambitious deep tech startups.

India’s start-up story is often told through software and services. Yet a quieter transformation is under way in laboratories, machine shops and clean rooms. And Manish has been one of the earliest investors consistently supporting this gradual change, first as an angel investor and then through pi Ventures.

Over the past decade, pi Ventures has gone from backing AI-led software plays to financing startups in sectors such as space, semiconductors, robotics, clean energy and electric mobility. From its first fund, pi Ventures backed companies such as Zenatix, Niramai, Sigtuple, Locus, and Wysa, but also Agnikul Cosmos.

The firm is currently investing from its second fund, which, at $85 million, is almost three times the first fund. Its portfolio now includes startups building 3D-printed rocket engines, optical interconnects for data centres, electric tractors designed from first principles and in-orbit satellite “jetpacks” that extend the life of multi-million-dollar assets.

Manish Singhal

Prior to pi Ventures, which turns 10 in March, Manish started out as an electrical engineer from IIT Kanpur, and accumulated two decades of operating experience – building products and teams at companies including Motorola, Ittiam Systems, and Sling Media, where he helped scale the company’s India R&D centre.

His firm’s recent investments such as Moonrider (electric tractors), LightSpeed Photonics (optical interconnects for AI data centers), and Aule Space (in-orbit satellite servicing) reflect Manish’s conviction that Indian startups can build globally relevant deep tech products.

He is not unaware of the still entrenched and considerable challenges in the way those dreaming of deep tech success from India. And he’s also clear-eyed about the limits of industrial policy, and wary of fads in “indigenous” technology.

But Manish is optimistic, when he talks about how deep tech founders in India are becoming more audacious in their aspirations and how India is on the cusp of being seen as a genuine deep-tech nation.

Chapters

(01:16) India Tech Report intro and Pi Ventures as a deep tech VC in India.

(03:08) Manish’s journey into deep tech and the evolution from software to space, semiconductors, and robotics.

(07:12) Why India is on the cusp of becoming a deep tech nation and the long build-up behind today’s momentum.

(11:06) How Pi Ventures’ investment thesis evolved from AI to materials and deep tech across sectors.

(16:25) Inside recent bets: MoonRider, Lightspeed Photonics, and early space as case studies in Indian deep tech.

(23:12) Founders dreaming global, defense as a demand driver, and the shifting role of Indian universities.

(31:04) Scale constraints, policy friction, and where India can truly lead in frontier technologies.

(37:09) Building for the world vs “indigenous for its own sake” and Manish’s views on fundamental innovation from India.

(41:25) The future of Pi Ventures, need for scale-stage deep tech capital, and a caution on shallow “deep tech” investing.

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Coming up on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

For my next conversation, I sat down with Manish Singhal, founding partner at pi Ventures, one of the earliest bona fide deep tech investors in India. pi Ventures turns 10 is a couple of months.
Before pi, Manish, an IIT Kanpur alumnus with over two decades of operating experience, built products and teams at Motorola, Ittiam Systems, and Sling Media, where he helped scale the India R&D centre during the company’s journey to a $380 million acquisition by EchoStar.

In 2016, he launched pi Ventures with a sharp focus on AI-led deep tech, backing companies like Niramai, Locus, Wysa, but also ventures like Agnikul Cosmos. With its second fund – at $85 million, almost 3X the first fund – pi Ventures has expanded its thesis to frontier sectors including spacetech, semiconductors, quantum technologies, advanced robotics, and climate-tech hardware.

Recent investments such as Moonrider (electric tractors), LightSpeed Photonics (optical interconnects for AI data centers), and Aule Space (in-orbit satellite servicing) reflect his conviction that India can build globally relevant deep tech product startups.

In this episode, Manish talks about how founders are becoming more ambitious in India and how, if we do it right, we can be counted among the world’s top deep tech nations in less than five years.

Catch the conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hrishit Tambi, Jay Panchal and Nithyaa Giri, founders of Aule Space Technologies, aim to put India in the club of nations offering ISAM technologies. Image source: Aule. Edited by Hari Arakali.

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Two space-tech startups kicked off 2026’s funding news for the sector in India, aiming to expand India’s presence in the global space economy in two challenging areas. And they’ve both found backing from top-notch investors.

Ethereal Exploration Guild (EtherealX) and Aule Space Technologies revealed a Series A and a pre-seed-stage investment respectively, in separate announcements, last week.

EtherealX was founded by Manu J. Nair, Shubhayu Sardar, and Prashanth Sharma, who bring experience from ISRO and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences to their endeavour.

They have found backing from Japan’s TDK Ventures. The venture arm of TDK Corporation will invest up to $5 million in Bengaluru-based Ethereal Exploration’s series A round.

The partnership aims to accelerate development of Razor Crest Mk-1 — the world’s first medium-lift rocket designed for full reusability, according to a press release. 

EtherealX’s vehicle, still under development, targets launch costs as low as $500 per kilogram, roughly 10X lower than current rates, although the rates vary based on the type of rocket and other factors such as whether the mission is a small dedicated one or something part of large payload and so on.

At its targeted $500-$1000 range, EtherealX hopes to unlock a wide range of commercial missions, including rocket cargo as a service. Its distinguishing feature is a reusable upper stage powered by a proprietary Full Flow Segregated Cooling Cycle engine, coupled with in-house simulation and test infrastructure to shorten development cycles and improve reusability. 

The global space economy is entering a phase of billion-dollar bets and trillion-dollar visions. Valued at about $630 billion in 2023, it is expected to nearly triple to $1.8 trillion by 2035, according to a McKinsey estimate, fuelled by the proliferation of satellite constellations and expanding national space ambitions.

Demand for medium-lift systems — rockets capable of carrying 2 ,000 kg to 20,000 kg of payload (to low-Earth orbits)* — is projected to grow strongly, with one forecast, by Research and Markets, estimating it grow from more than $10 billion in 2025 to nearly $16 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of about 8.5 percent. Startups from Austin to Bengaluru are racing to supply governments and private operators squeezed by bottlenecked launch capacity.

Shubhayu Sardar, Prashanth Sharma and Manu J. Nair, founders of EtherealX, are developing a reusable medium-lift launch system. Image source: EtherealX. Edited by Hari Arakali.

“TDK Ventures is thrilled to back the Guild in its goal to reshape the medium-lift space-launch industry,” Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, said in the press release. “The company aligns seamlessly with our vision for transformative innovation, excelling in slashing launch costs, pioneering novel technologies, and harnessing India’s ISRO expertise and cost-efficient supply chain.” 

EtherealX’s existing investors include YourNest VC, Bluehill Capital, BIG Capital, Campus Fund, and Golden Sparrow VC. The company has already manufactured its 80kN upper-stage reusable engine (Pegasus) and has signed collaboration agreements with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), ISRO, and other national space agencies, as well as commercial satellite operators, launch aggregators, and launch ports globally.

Aule’s orbital jetpacks

Separately, Aule Space, also in Bengaluru, has raised pre-seed funding to build autonomous “jetpack” satellites that can dock with spacecraft that are running out of fuel and keep them going in orbit. The round totals $2 million, led by pi Ventures with participation from several angel investors, including former Intelsat board member Eash Sundaram and Tonbo Imaging chief executive Arvind Lakshmikumar. 

Founded in 2024 by Jay Panchal, Nithyaa Giri and Hrishit Tambi, Aule Space is developing satellites that can safely approach, latch on to and manoeuvre other spacecraft, a class of capability known in the trade as Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD). The company will use the new capital to expand its engineering team, build ground infrastructure for docking tests and ready its first demonstration satellites, slated to launch next year.

Aule’s design combines a satellite-agnostic docking mechanism with AI-driven guidance, navigation and control algorithms, aiming to field one of the world’s lightest and most cost-efficient RPOD satellite fleets. The company is targeting use-cases from life extension of high-value geostationary communications satellites and debris removal to defence applications such as close-in inspection for space-domain awareness. 

Today most satellites are abandoned once their fuel runs out, even if their payloads remain largely functional, because there is no routine in-orbit servicing infrastructure. More than 95 percent of the $100 billion generated each year in commercial satellite revenues comes from satellites in geostationary orbit (GEO) and a single satellite can generate tens to hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue, according to Joseph Anderson, a vice president at Space Logistics, a Northrup Grumman company.

“However, every year, between 10 and 20 satellites in good operating condition, and with paying customers, are shut down by their operators and replaced with expensive new satellites. This is not by choice, but by necessity: these satellites have run out of fuel,” Anderson wrote in Room, a space economy journal, in 2019.

The following year, Northop Grumman became the first company to successfully demonstrate what they called mission extension, with its MEV-1 and MEV-2 mission extension vehicles. Since the...

Founders of Perceptyne Robots, Mrutyunjaya N, Raviteja Chivukala and Jagga Raju N are building autonomous, dexterous robots and the physical AI stack needed.

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What are some of the practical, seemingly small but truly challenging engineering problems in translating what seems intuitive to humans to robotics automation, today?

Mrutyunjaya N, Raviteja Chivukala and Jagga Raju N, founders of Perceptyne Robots, explain here in simple terms in just a few minutes.

Founders of Perceptyne Robots, Mrutyunjaya N, Raviteja Chivukala and Jagga Raju N are building autonomous, dexterous robots and the physical AI stack needed.

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In this year’s first episode, I’m joined by Mrutyunjaya N, Raviteja Chivukala and Jagga Raju N to unpack why and how they started Perceptyne Robots, and what it takes to build an AI-native robotic system out of India.

Perceptyne is a Hyderabad-based company building dexterous, dual-arm, intelligent robots for industrial automation, currently focused on automotive and electronics manufacturing lines.

The founders explain the gap they saw on real shop floors, where many assembly stations still rely on manual work because traditional approaches cannot handle unstructured inputs, fine force control, or frequent product changes.

The conversation goes into their vertically integrated hardware, including mobile configurations, and their PR-PhI “physical intelligence” software layer that orchestrates perception, control, and imitation-learning–based skills like visual servo, slip-free grasping, and force-based assembly.

You will also hear their take on the state of India’s robotics ecosystem, the evolution of robots as a combined hardware-and-software challenge, and how they are moving from pilots with global automotive and electronics manufacturers toward larger deployments. Perceptyne, which turns four this year, is backed by two well-known deep-tech VC firms,  Yali Capital and Endiya Partners.

Chapters

(00:00) The promise of robotics in industrial automation

(09:55) Building Perceptyne: founders’ journey and vision

(20:05) Innovative robotics: products and capabilities

(30:02) Challenges in automation: technical limitations and solutions

(40:01) The robotics ecosystem in India: opportunities and challenges

(49:54) Future of robotics: trends and expectations

Founders of Perceptyne Robots, Mrutyunjaya N, Raviteja Chivukala and Jagga Raju N are building autonomous, dexterous robots and the physical AI stack needed.

Happy new year to all of you deep tech enthusiasts in India. An area in which 2026 is already shaping up to be one that will likely see advances, is robotics and automation and the AI needed for this, being called physical AI or even ’embodied AI’.

If you caught Boston Dynamics CSO Marc Theermann recently saying the company’s Atlas humanoid is “not designed for YouTube” but for the real world, what’s your view on that — premature or prophetic? Will 2026 show us?

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To kick off my reports this year, I got a chance to chat with a dynamic entrepreneur trio building what they say will be autonomous and dexterous robots for the real world — at Perceptyne Robots.

So, coming up on Tuesday, Jan. 13, this year’s first episode of India Tech Report: In Conversation, will feature Mrutyunjaya N, Raviteja Chivukala and Jagga Raju N, co-founders of this Hyderabad-based robotics and physical AI startup.

Their venture, which turns four this year, is backed a couple of well-known deep-tech VC firms, Yali Capital and Endiya Partners. Catch the full conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a less-than-a-minute preview.

Hyundai Motor Group’s MobED AMR on display at an exhibition. Image source: Hyundai.

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(00:20) Mobile robots market to nearly double by 2030

Global demand for mobile robots is set to surge, with the market projected to grow from $27.39 billion in 2025 to $52.11 billion by 2030, driven by AI, 5G, e-commerce, and labour shortages, while Asia-Pacific leads adoption and high costs, regulatory hurdles, and integration challenges remain important constraints.

(00:50) Hyundai debuts MobED autonomous robot platform at iREX 2025

Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled MobED, a production-ready autonomous mobility robot platform, at the iREX 2025 robotics show in Tokyo, positioning it as the company’s first mass-produced mobility robot for industrial and everyday applications, with Pro and Basic variants set for market launch in the first half of 2026.

(01:17) IFC backs Gujarat Fluorochemicals’ EV unit with $50 million

IFC will invest about $50 million in Gujarat Fluorochemicals’ EV venture GFCL EV Products to build India’s first fully integrated battery-materials plant, supporting local production of key inputs for electric vehicle and energy storage batteries and reducing import dependence while strengthening the country’s position in global clean-energy supply chains.

(01:46) Viavi, QNu Labs team up on quantum-safe network security

Viavi Solutions and QNu Labs, a quantum cybersecurity startup in India, have formed a strategic R&D partnership to develop test frameworks, standards, and reference architectures for quantum-safe network security, spanning post-quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution, quantum random number generator, and hybrid systems, with plans for a broader industry consortium to help operators and enterprises transition from classical to quantum-resilient infrastructures.

(02:20) Skylark Drones, WELL Labs ink MoU on data-led water intelligence

Skylark Drones has signed an MoU with Bengaluru-based WELL Labs to build data-driven water-resource intelligence platforms, according to a press release. The platforms will fuse large-scale drone-based mapping with hydrological science, supporting watershed management, flood resilience, and climate-linked water planning for governments and communities across India.

(02:46) Shastra VC launches SDEX deep-tech fellowship with $100,000 grants

Shastra VC has launched SDEX, Shastra Deep-Tech Excellence Fellowship, a 16–24-week programme to help researchers at IITs, IISc, NITs and other labs turn frontier technologies into venture-ready startups, with the first cohort set to pick up to 15 teams and provide each with equity-free funding and resources of up to $100,000 dollars.

(03:20) Chiratae launches Sonic DeepTech with cheques up to $2 million

Chiratae, a VC firm in Bengaluru, has launched the Sonic DeepTech programme to back early-stage Indian deep-tech startups with seed cheques of up to $2 million, promising 48-hour investment decisions, and access to domain experts, corporate partners, and portfolio founders to help teams move quickly from lab prototypes to market-ready products.

(03:45) ChemLex raises $45m for AI-driven autonomous drug discovery lab in Singapore

ChemLex, an AI-for-science startup, has raised 45 million dollars led by Granite Asia and is establishing its global headquarters and a 24/7 self-driving chemistry lab in Singapore to accelerate small-molecule drug discovery, supported by new technical hires and an MoU with Singapore’s Experimental Drug Development Centre.

Generated image for illustration of a startup incubator office space.

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(00:21) China’s Zhuque-3 reaches orbit but crashes on landing

Chinese rocketmaker Landspace’s stainless steel, methalox-fuelled Zhuque-3 reached orbit on its debut flight from Jiuquan, successfully deploying its expendable second stage before the reusable first stage failed during landing and exploded near the target zone. The company said the test still met key recovery objectives and noted Zhuque-3’s Falcon 9–class payload capability to low Earth orbit.

(00:53) RNA drug TY1 taps hidden DNA repair pathway

Scientists at Cedars-Sinai have created TY1, an RNA-based therapy that switches on a recently identified DNA repair pathway, enhancing the body’s ability to mend genetic damage and regenerate injured tissue. In preclinical studies, TY1 boosted repair processes without relying on traditional DNA-repair mechanisms, suggesting potential applications in treating cancer, age-related decline and degenerative diseases if future trials confirm its safety and efficacy.

(01:30) MIT’s light-based sensor aims to replace glucose finger pricks

MIT researchers have created a shoebox-sized Raman spectroscopy device that measures blood glucose through the skin, matching the accuracy of commercial continuous glucose monitors in an initial study on a healthy volunteer. The team has already built a cellphone-sized wearable prototype and plans larger clinical trials, with a long-term goal of a watch-like, noninvasive glucose monitor for diabetics.

(02:01) Planys raises Rs. 100 crore for global and defence push

Underwater robotics startup Planys Technologies has raised Rs. 100 crore in a round led by investors including Ashish Kacholia and Lashit Sanghvi, with participation from existing backers. The capital will support global scale-up of its underwater inspection systems and the launch of defence unit Planys Ark to develop indigenous unmanned underwater vehicles and set up a new production facility near Chennai.

(02:30) Activate launches $75m fund for early deep tech

Aakrit Vaish, co-founder of Haptik, and Pratyush Choudhury, former principal investor at Together, have unveiled Activate, a $75 million venture fund targeting India’s earliest-stage deep tech and AI startups, including teams at the ideation stage. The fund plans to write cheques of about $0.5–3 million, supported by a global LP network, and has already begun deploying capital into young AI-first companies.

(03:02) EU backs 40 women-led deep tech startups

EU-funded project Women TechEU has selected 40 women-led deep tech startups from 1,107 applicants in its fourth and final call, awarding each a EUR 75,000 non-dilutive grant plus tailored business support. Winners span 20 countries and focus mainly on AI, biotech and clean tech, with a follow-on initiative planned to continue support beyond 2026.

(03:35) IIT Madras incubator tops 500 deep-tech startups

IIT Madras Incubation Cell has incubated 511 deep-tech startups with a combined valuation of over Rs. 53,000 crore, creating more than 11,000 direct jobs and cementing its status as India’s largest deep-tech hub. In FY 2024–25, it onboarded 100+ startups under the “Startup Shatam” mission, with portfolio companies spanning space, mobility, climate-tech, semiconductors and frontier AI.

Janaki Venkatraman, Santanu Datta and Arindam Ghatak, co-founders of Biomoneta. Image source: company.

(00:20) IVCA forum urges more domestic capital for deep tech

The Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association hosted its Domestic Institutional Investors & Exits Forum 2025 in New Delhi, spotlighting the role of local capital in deep tech and biotech. An MoU between IVCA and BIRAC aims to boost capacity building and investment awareness, as BIRAC’s Managing Director Dr. Jitendra Kumar urged institutional investors to back research-led startups moving from incubation to commercial scale.

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(00:53) Rama Devi Lanka joins NITI Aayog frontier tech hub

Rama Devi Lanka has joined NITI Aayog’s Frontier Tech Hub to drive state-level engagement on AI, blockchain, drones and other emerging technologies. The former Telangana state emerging tech director will work with state governments to scale pilots, shape policy frameworks and strengthen innovation ecosystems, aiming to align frontier tech deployments with inclusive governance and public-impact use cases nationwide.

(01:22) Biomoneta wins US FDA nod for Avata Rx

Biomoneta, a Bengaluru startup, has secured US FDA approval for Avata Rx, its ZeBox-powered air-decontamination device, becoming the first Indian company cleared in this category. The system targets airborne pathogens in high-risk clinical and biotech environments, backed by independent validations including an IISc study on SARS-CoV-2. The milestone strengthens its global market entry and validates investor Beyond Next Ventures’ deep-science thesis.

(02:00) Moonrider raises $6m for EV tractor rollout

Moonrider, an electric tractor startup in Bengaluru, has raised $6 million in a Series A round led by deep-tech fund pi Ventures, with Singularity AMC, Advantedge Founders and Micelio Fund participating. The capital will fund commercial rollout of its fully homologated, road-ready electric tractors, which the company says match diesel tractors on upfront price while sharply lowering operating costs to improve farm economics.

(02:32) SynaXG raises over $20m for AI-RAN platform

Singapore deep-tech startup SynaXG has raised over $20 million in its first funding round, led by January Capital, Vertex Ventures and Qualgro. The company builds AI-powered radio access network (AI-RAN) technology for wireless infrastructure. The capital will be used to scale product development and engineering, and deepen partnerships with telecom operators and enterprise customers deploying next-generation network solutions.

Niobium raises $23m to advance FHE silicon

(03:03) US-based Niobium has raised more than $23 million in an oversubscribed follow-on round to accelerate its second-generation fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) hardware platform. The funding will support the shift from prototype to production-ready ASICs, hardware–software co-design and customer pilots. Existing backers Fusion Fund and Morgan Creek joined new investors including Blockchange Ventures, ADVentures, Korea Development Bank and JobsOhio Ventures.

(03:37) Korean team links desalination with hydrogen production

Researchers at Seoul National University have built a modular water-purification system that simultaneously produces clean water and hydrogen using ion concentration polarization across a single cation-exchange membrane. The finger-sized device removes salts and contaminants while generating hydrogen, recovering about 8–10 percent of input energy. Its compact, scalable design targets use in disaster zones, remote sites, military deployments and even space missions.

Photo by Markus Winkler on Pexels.com " data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?fit=1024%2C682&ssl=1" src="https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1" alt="green and white braille typewriter" class="wp-image-171708102" style="aspect-ratio:3/2;object-fit:cover" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?resize=1024%2C682&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?resize=300%2C200&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?resize=768%2C512&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?resize=1536%2C1024&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/indiatechreport.in/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pexels-photo-4761309.jpeg?w=1880&ssl=1 1880w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" />

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(00:20) DST’s RDI Fund outreach programme in Bengaluru tomorrow

The Department of Science and Technology is inviting fund managers, industry leaders, and startup founders to join its officials to discuss the Government of India’s R&D and Innovation Fund, Secretary to the GoI Abhay Karandikar said in a post on LinkedIn.

This outreach programme is to be held tomorrow, Dec. 4, in Bengaluru.

This session will provide insights into the Fund’s objectives, operational framework, and financing models under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and facilitate direct dialogue with the DST’s RDI Cell, Abhay writes.

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(00:59) IIT Madras, Navy, Apollo Micro in defence tech pact

IIT Madras has signed a tripartite MoU with the Indian Navy’s DGNAI and Apollo Micro Systems to accelerate indigenous development of advanced defence technologies, announced at the Navy’s Swavalamban 2025 event in Delhi.  The alliance will target electronic warfare, precision navigation and high‑energy armament systems, aiming to speed lab-to-field deployment and bolster India’s defence self-reliance.

(01:35) Jolt Capital raises €600m deep tech fund first close

Paris-based Jolt Capital has reached a €600 million first close for its fifth deep tech focused fund, which targets a €1.1 billion hard cap to back around 20 European growth-stage technology companies.  Jolt Capital V is anchored by a €260 million commitment from the European Investment Fund and will focus on sectors from semiconductors to applied AI and energy management.

(02:07) Mantel’s molten-salt carbon capture push

MIT spinout Mantel is commercialising a molten borate salt system that captures about 95 percent of CO2 from high-temperature industrial flue gases while using roughly 3 percent of the net energy of incumbent capture technologies by cogenerating steam.  The firm is scaling from a containerised pilot at MIT’s The Engine to a Kruger factory demo in Quebec ahead of wider industrial deployment.

(02:40) Stanford’s immune-reset diabetes breakthrough

Stanford Medicine researchers report that a combined blood stem cell and pancreatic islet cell transplant from an immunologically mismatched donor prevented or cured Type 1 diabetes in mice by creating a hybrid immune system that stops attacking islet cells.  All treated animals remained diabetes-free without long-term immunosuppression, suggesting a future curative path for autoimmune disease.

(03:12) Korean team boosts lithium-metal battery safety, life

Korean researchers have engineered a fluorine- and oxygen-functionalized separator membrane that stabilizes both electrodes in lithium-metal batteries, sharply cutting dendrite-driven explosion risk while roughly doubling cycle life under harsh conditions.  Prototype pouch cells reached about 385 Wh/kg and 1,136 Wh/L — around 1.5–1.7 times current lithium-ion energy densities — without changing standard manufacturing processes.

India’s Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav recently visited SCL, and outlined a plan to modernise the chip facility.

(00:20) India to invest Rs. 4,500 crore to modernise SCL Mohali

India will invest Rs. 4,500 crore to modernise and expand the government-run Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali, targeting a 100-fold increase in wafer production while ruling out privatisation, Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said during a site visit. SCL will support chip fabrication for students, startups and defence-linked agencies as part of a broader push for indigenous semiconductor capability, according to a statement from the ministry.

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(00:55) Mixx Technologies raises $33 million series A funding

Mixx Technologies, a US-based deep-tech startup founded by specialists from Intel and Broadcom, has raised $33 million in Series A funding led by ICM HPQC Fund alongside TDK Ventures, Systemiq Capital, and others. The capital will accelerate development of its HBxIO silicon-integrated optical engine, boost global R&D (including in India), and drive adoption of high-efficiency AI infrastructure platforms.

(01:29) Lightspeed Photonics raises $6.5 million for optical AI chips

Lightspeed Photonics has raised $6.5 million in a pre-Series A round led by Pi Ventures to scale its solderable optical interconnects for AI and high-performance computing data centres.  The Bengaluru-based startup claims 4x faster data transfer and roughly 2x lower power use than existing links, and plans to split the funds between R&D and commercial pilots through 2026.

(02:01) Reditus Space plans reusable reentry vehicle for microgravity R&D 

US startup Reditus Space has raised $7.1 million in seed funding to build ENOS, a reusable reentry spacecraft aimed at fast-turnaround missions for microgravity research and in-space manufacturing, Payload Space reports. The first ENOS flight, targeting a SpaceX rideshare next summer, will carry a pharma payload, reenter at over Mach 24, and test hardware designed for 20-plus missions and 40 kg payloads.

(02:38) IonQ, CCRM to apply quantum tech to advanced therapies 

IonQ has struck an investment and technology partnership with Canada’s Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine to apply hybrid quantum and quantum-AI tools to bioprocess optimization, disease modelling and advanced therapy manufacturing. IonQ becomes core tech partner across CCRM’s global network, with initial quantum-biotech projects in Canada and Sweden slated for 2026 as part of IonQ’s expanding European strategy.

(03:10) Sparrow Quantum raises €27.5 million for photonic quantum chips 

Denmark’s Sparrow Quantum has raised €27.5 million in Series A funding, in what it calls Scandinavia’s largest quantum-tech investment, to scale production of its Sparrow Core single-photon chip for room-temperature photonic quantum systems. The company plans to expand manufacturing and develop next-generation devices based on Niels Bohr Institute research, aiming to become a leading quantum chip supplier for European and global markets.

(03:44) Vayavya Labs, SimDaaS tie up on autonomous mobility tools 

Software engineering firm Vayavya Labs has signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur–incubated SimDaaS Autonomy to co-develop simulation-led tools for autonomous driving, ADAS and AI-based virtual validation. The partners will combine digital twin, virtual electronic control units and traffic-scenario simulation capabilities to accelerate virtual testing for complex Indian conditions and export solutions to global mobility markets.

(04:17) AI-detected ‘hidden’ lion roar may boost conservation

Scientists have identified a previously unknown “intermediary” lion roar that occurs alongside the classic full-throated call, using AI to sort thousands of recordings with about 95 percent accuracy. The added vocal signature can improve passive acoustic monitoring, helping estimate lion numbers and track individuals more reliably as wild populations fall to roughly 20,000–25,000 across Africa.

Vishal Katariya at Ankur Capital (L) and Sunil Cavale at Speciale Invest have recently released their report on the semiconductor startup landscape in India – the second edition. 

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In today’s episode, I bring you a conversation with Sunil Cavale at Speciale Invest and Vishal Katariya at Ankur Capital, both VC firms well known as early-stage backers of deep tech startups in India.

Vishal and Sunil discuss their recent report on the Semiconductor Startup Landscape in India.

India’s chip industry has made significant strides from being only a location for the development centres of global companies, designing to foreign specifications.

Today, a new cohort of founders — professors spinning out decades of research, veterans of Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, and second‑time chip entrepreneurs — is trying to build products, not just provide services. Their targets range from high‑volume microcontrollers for cameras and smart meters to AI accelerators for data centres and the edge.

Venture capital is following. Seed rounds are giving way to briskly timed Series-A investments, some closing within 18 months of the seed funding and at two to ten times the earlier cheque sizes. Capital is also broadening beyond specialist funds: family offices, strategic corporates like Zoho and the venture arms of global chipmakers now want a role in the India semicon story.

Meanwhile, entrepreneurs are pushing beyond fabless design into manufacturing‑adjacent niches such as metrology tools, lithography subsystems and low‑volume prototyping — hedging against the geopolitical fragility of a supply chain still concentrated in Taiwan and the Netherlands.

This week’s conversation brings together two investors who have had a ringside view of these shifts. Sunil and Vishal have spent the past few years swapping notes on deals, founders, failures and successes. Out of those conversations that started during one fateful meeting at a McDonald’s in Ghatkopar, in Mumbai, came their Semiconductor Startup Landscape in India report, first presented at IIT Bombay’s SemiX conference.

Rather than rehearse well-known talking points, they have tried to document what is actually happening on the ground: who the founders are, where the money originates, which verticals are getting crowded and where the genuine white spaces lie. In this episode, they explain why India’s chip moment may finally be real — and what it will take to sustain it.

Link to the report at Speciale Invest:
https://www.specialeinvest.com/community?pgid=mdx2tvo7-e24d7063-961f-4de4-b405-ce9282527498

Link to the report at Ankur Capital:
https://www.ankurcapital.com/post/semiconductor-startup-landscape-in-india-2025-perspective

Team CrisprBits. Image source: company.

CrisprBits, a Bengaluru biotech startup, has raised $3 million in a pre-Series A round to scale its CRISPR-based diagnostics and gene-editing platforms, lifting its valuation to $12 million. The company plans to use the money to commercialize its PathCrisp molecular diagnostics line and build an AI-augmented strain engineering platform for industrial biofuels.

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The round was led by Spectrum Impact, the family office of Aarti Industries Ltd.’s Chairman and Managing Director Rajendra Gogri, with participation from existing backers including the Vijay Alreja Family Office (VJ Technologies Group) and new investors such as the promoter family of HBL Engineering Ltd. Earlier funding from the founders, VJ Technologies Group and C-CAMP is being deployed to expand manufacturing capacity across human health, food safety and animal health applications.

CrisprBits’ investment is happening at a time when CRISPR moves from lab tool to commercial platform in diagnostics, gene therapies and industrial biotech, drawing sustained interest from strategics and financial investors worldwide. Global CRISPR technology revenues are projected to grow at around 11–16 percent annually this decade, with estimates putting the broader CRISPR market in the $5–23 billion range by 2030–2035 as applications in healthcare, agriculture and biomanufacturing scale up.

“Our focus has always been on attracting patient capital that shares our goal to ‘rewrite biology and reimagine the planet,’ CrisprBits co-founder and CEO Vijay Chandru, said in a press release. “This round gives us the fuel to launch in India and immediately scale to global markets with high-quality, affordable solutions,” he said.

CrisprBits’ PathCrisp platform targets rapid, point-of-need molecular diagnostics, promising sample-to-result times of under 2.5 hours with minimal infrastructure. The product line spans tests for typhoid, antimicrobial resistance, sickle cell disease, foodborne pathogens and on-farm animal disease surveillance, aimed at hospitals, food processors and livestock producers.

Beyond diagnostics, the company’s EdiCrisp platform offers end-to-end gene-editing services using the indigenous enFnCas9 system from the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, positioned as more precise than legacy SpCas9 systems.

A third platform, CurieCrisp, combines patient-derived iPSC lines, CRISPR-corrected controls and AI analytics to support preclinical research and rare disease drug discovery, with an emphasis on improving access in the Global South.

CRISPR stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, referring to a pattern of repeated DNA sequences found in bacteria and archaea – a major group of single-celled microorganisms.

CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing technology that acts like molecular scissors, allowing scientists to cut and modify DNA at specific locations in the genome. The tool was adapted for genome editing in 2012 by researchers including Jennifer Doudna and Emmanuelle Charpentier, whose work on CRISPR-Cas9 earned them the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and set off a wave of applications in medicine, agriculture and basic research.

Consultancy and market-research estimates suggest that CRISPR-related markets are entering a scale-up phase, particularly in health care. One global forecast pegs the CRISPR technology market at about $3.2 billion in 2025, rising to roughly $5.5 billion by 2030 at an annual growth rate of just over 11 percent, driven by demand for genetic disease therapies, functional genomics tools and next-generation diagnostics.

Within diagnostics, CRISPR-based tests are expected to grow faster than the broader market as they move into point-of-care infectious disease testing and oncology. The CRISPR-based diagnostics segment alone is projected to climb from around $3.8 billion in 2025 to more than $15 billion by 2034, implying a CAGR of about 16–17 percent as new products win regulatory approvals and reimbursement.

India has emerged as an early adopter of CRISPR diagnostics, starting with the FELUDA assay developed by CSIR-IGIB and Tata Group in 2020, which demonstrated the feasibility of low-cost CRISPR-based testing for infectious diseases.

Last week, Union Minister Jitendra Singh launched ‘BIRSA 101’, India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, developed at CSIR-IGIB and transferred to the Serum Institute. The therapy aims to make advanced gene-editing cures affordable for Indian patients, particularly tribal populations, supporting the ambition for a Sickle Cell–free India by 2047.

Domestic market forecasts indicate that India’s CRISPR gene detection and diagnostic segment could grow from around $50 million in the mid-2020s to more than $240 million by 2032, with biomedical diagnostics as the largest and fastest-growing application.

Recent initiatives include new CRISPR laboratories in Bengaluru for gene editing and diagnostics, and a pipeline of rare-disease and oncology programmes exploring CRISPR-based interventions. Against this backdrop, CrisprBits — founded by BITS Pilani alumni and operating a 7,300-square-foot CRISPR R&D facility in Bengaluru — aims to extend India’s footprint from diagnostic kits to platforms spanning gene editing and sustainable industrial biotechnology.

With the fresh capital, CrisprBits plans to ramp up manufacturing at its diagnostics facility and expand distribution into Africa and Latin America over the next six months. In parallel, it intends to build an AI-augmented strain engineering platform focused initially on biofuel production, targeting cost and sustainability gains for industrial partners in chemicals and energy.

An AI generated image for illustrating an Indian startups co-working space.

(00:20) Google, Accel to co-invest in Indian AI startups

Google and Accel will co-invest in at least 10 early-stage Indian AI startups through a new partnership between Google’s AI Futures Fund and Accel’s Atoms programme, with up to 2 million dollars available per company.

The tie-up, based in Bengaluru, is Google’s first such funding collaboration and follows its $15 billion India data-centre commitment and broader push to tap the country’s nearly one billion internet users.

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(00:54) India’s largest bank to launch next climate startup fund

SBI Ventures, promoted by State Bank of India and headquartered in Mumbai, intends to raise Rs. 2,000 crore for its third climate-focused investment fund launching in January-March 2026. The fund will invest in early and growth-stage climate startups, particularly frontier climate technologies and AI-enabled innovations.

SBI Ventures identified critical funding deficits in water security, climate-smart agriculture, and disaster-proof infrastructure, targeting an estimated $170 billion annual requirement.

(01:34) Bio-based coastal concrete material nurtures marine life

Researchers at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research in Yerseke tested Xiriton, a bio-based concrete alternative made from grass, shells, sand, lime, pozzolan, and seawater, for tidal restoration.

After a year, blocks deployed on mudflats were densely colonised by oysters, mussels, and algae while withstanding strong currents, suggesting a durable, degradable, low-alkaline material for greener coastal protection.

(02:10) German defence drone startup nears €200m raise 

Munich-based Quantum Systems is close to securing about €200 million in new funding at a roughly $3 billion valuation, just months after becoming a unicorn.

The dual-use surveillance drone maker, founded in 2015, is riding Europe’s defence spending boom as governments seek homegrown aerial intelligence, with annual revenue reportedly growing triple digits on the back of contracts in Ukraine and other NATO markets.

(02:42) Europe backs optical vortex photonics network

Tampere University in Finland will lead HiPOVor, a €4.4 million EU-funded doctoral network to advance high‑power optical vortex beams and train 15 researchers in photonics.

The Europe‑wide consortium of eight universities, the ELI‑NP laser facility in Romania, and nine industry partners aims to turn twisting light beams into core tools for precision manufacturing, particle acceleration, and high‑capacity communications from 2026.

Coming up on Friday, Nov. 28. How’s India’s semiconductor product startup landscape changing. In the next episode of Conversations at India Tech Report, Sunil Cavale at Speciale Invest and Vishal Kataria at Ankur Capital discuss the second edition of their report on this very subject.

Catch the full conversation right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a 2-minute preview.

Listen to the preview

Link to the report at Speciale Invest:
https://www.specialeinvest.com/community?pgid=mdx2tvo7-e24d7063-961f-4de4-b405-ce9282527498

Link to the report at Ankur Capital:
https://www.ankurcapital.com/post/semiconductor-startup-landscape-in-india-2025-perspective

Moin SPM and Srinath Ravichandran, Co-founders of Agnikul Cosmos, are pioneering India’s private small satellite launch vehicles with 3D printed engines.

(00:20) Swiss quantum startup shrinks cooling systems for scalable processors

YQuantum has raised CHF 150,000 ($186,000) from Venture Kick to commercialize miniaturized cryogenic hardware for quantum computers. The startup’s compact components address a critical bottleneck: scaling superconducting qubits reliably. By replacing bulky cooling systems with high-performance alternatives, YQuantum brings quantum computing closer to practical deployment.

The engineering team, drawn from UC Berkeley and ETH Zurich, targets a rapidly expanding quantum hardware market projected to reach billions in the coming years. Its first commercial units are expected by mid-2026.

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(01:10) AI genomics platform launches to scale safer gene therapies

Cassidy Bio has unveiled its AI-driven genomic foundation model with an $8 million seed round, backed by Ahren Innovation Capital. The platform combines proprietary lab data, population genetics, and machine learning to design gene-editing therapies at scale. By replacing trial-and-error with predictive engineering, Cassidy addresses persistent challenges: target selection, delivery, and off-target effects.

The founding team unites CRISPR pioneers and AI leaders with the aim of moving genome editing from isolated successes to reliable, scalable medical solutions for millions of patients worldwide.

(01:56) Swedish chipmaker secures €15 million for advanced etching tech

AlixLabs has closed a €15 million Series A investment led by Navigare Ventures to accelerate Atomic Layer Etching Pitch Splitting (APS) technology. The breakthrough enables cost-effective production of advanced chips without expensive multi-patterning or exclusive EUV reliance. By slashing process complexity and energy consumption per wafer, APS addresses a critical challenge in chip economics.

Beta testing with foundry partners begins in 2026, targeting full manufacturing deployment by 2027. The innovation could reshape semiconductor accessibility globally, lowering barriers for advanced chip production.

(02:47) Agnikul secures $17 million in fresh funding for its space rockets

Agnikul Cosmos, a Chennai-based space-tech startup, has secured Rs. 150 crore ($17 million) in fresh funding, bringing its valuation to $500 million. The capital will support its next orbital launch mission featuring barge-based booster recovery — a global first for small launch vehicles.

Agnikul, which is pioneering India’s private small launch vehicles with 3D printed engines, will expand manufacturing, launch frequency, and establish a 350-acre campus in Tamil Nadu, targeting customers in Europe, Asia, and the US.

(03:30) Cambridge team enables LEDs from ‘un-powerable’ nanoparticles

Researchers at the University of Cambridge in Britain have achieved a breakthrough by powering electrically insulating lanthanide-doped nanoparticles using organic molecular antennas. The new approach, discovered by a Cavendish Laboratory-led team, enables highly pure near-infrared LEDs, promising advances in biomedical imaging and optical communications. and published the findings in Nature.

AI generated image for illustration. India is backing the international solar alliance with a call for global action on energy for small island developing nations, at the COP30 meet.

(00:20) India calls joint crediting mechanism a model for equitable climate action

At UNFCCC COP30 in Brazil, India’s Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) is crucial for scalable, technology-driven climate solutions. India-Japan cooperation under JCM will mobilise investments, deploy low-carbon technologies, and build capacity, supporting national climate goals and Article 6 implementation. India’s Carbon Market portal will aid JCM transparency and impact.

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(00:50) India urges global solar push for energy security in small island states

Separately, Minister Yadav highlighted support for Small Island Developing States through the International Solar Alliance. India showcased rooftop solar, solar pumps, and battery projects, calling for global action to boost clean energy, cut diesel imports, and build climate resilience. Over 124 nations now participate in ISA’s initiatives.

(01:18) Mehta Family Foundation announces two conferences with IITs 

The Mehta Family Foundation will host two conferences under its collaboration for academic and research excellence or CARE initiative in partnership with IIT Madras and IIT Guwahati. The events focus on bioengineering and AI, convening global and Indian researchers to advance interdisciplinary collaboration and showcase innovations, marking the Foundation’s growing role in India’s academic ecosystem.

(01:48) Glow-in-the-gut pill offers non-invasive colonoscopy alternative 

Researchers in China have developed a pill embedded with heme-sensing bacteria that glow in response to gastrointestinal bleeding, enabling early colitis detection without invasive colonoscopies. Tested safely in mice, the pill’s magnetic microspheres are retrieved from feces and produce light proportional to disease severity, potentially revolutionizing gut health diagnostics.

(02:17) JuliaHub and Synopsys partner to power AI-driven digital twins 

JuliaHub will integrate its Dyad simulation platform with Synopsys’ Ansys TwinAI
, blending physics-based modelling and adaptive AI for more accurate, cloud-based digital twins. The collaboration aims to accelerate innovation in hardware design and system optimization, merging JuliaHub’s SciML tech with Synopsys’ robust simulation ecosystem.

(02:45) Rift raises €4.6M to launch Europe’s first on-demand aerial network 

French startup Rift has raised €4.6 million to deploy autonomous drone stations across Europe, creating a real-time aerial intelligence network for public safety and critical infrastructure monitoring. The “Surveillance-as-a-Service” platform aims to mitigate wildfires, border breaches, and infrastructure threats with plans to deploy 20 stations by 2027.

(03:14) Teradar exits stealth with $150M series B for terahertz vision sensors 

Teradar, a Boston startup, has unveiled its terahertz vision sensor technology for automotive safety after raising $150 million in Series B funding. The modular terahertz sensor offers all-weather perception to enhance autonomous driving and commercial vehicle safety, with production targeted by 2028. Investors include Lockheed Martin Ventures and VXI Capital.

AI generated image of Chandrayaan on the Lunar surface for illustration. India’s Karnataka state has unveiled its space tech policy 2025-30.

(00:21) Karnataka unveils India’s first Quantum City plan, space policy

Karnataka launched India’s first Quantum City blueprint at the Bengaluru Tech Summit this week, with a plan to create a Rs. 1,000 crore integrated quantum cluster in Hesaraghatta. The project targets global leadership in quantum research, chip manufacturing, and talent export, with dedicated parks, startup zones, and international collaborations to boost Bengaluru’s quantum ecosystem.

(00:51) Separately, the state government also unveiled its Space Technology Policy 2025–2030 at the Summit, seeking to make the state a global leader in space innovation, manufacturing, and research. The policy emphasizes building skilled talent, fostering deep-tech startups, and integrating space technology in governance, aiming to capture 50 percent of India’s space market by 2030.

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(01:18) Skycore Semi bags €5M to boost AI datacenter chips

Danish fabless design startup Skycore Semiconductors has raised €5 million in seed funding led by Amadeus APEX, with participation from First Momentum, Mätch VC, and Balnord. The funds will accelerate the commercial rollout of high-density Power ICs tailored for 800V HVDC data centers, targeting the power bottleneck in next-gen AI infrastructure.

(01:47) Steele Group opens Boston’s deep tech hub BASE-X

Steele Group has launched BASE-X, a 25,000-square-foot headquarters in downtown Boston dedicated to deep tech innovation, the US real estate developer said in a press release. Serving as a hub for venture capital, operators, and partners, BASE-X aims to catalyze investment, operational excellence, and collaboration in fields including AI, energy, defence, and advanced manufacturing.

(02:18) Breakthrough in rare-earth magnetism promises quantum tech leap

Scientists in India have discovered a new type of magnetism in neodymium nitride (NdN) thin films driven by orbital angular momentum, not just electron spin. This finding, led by JNCASR, enables the tuning of materials for faster, more efficient quantum and spintronic devices, enhancing India’s role in rare-earth and advanced materials research.

(02:51) India launches first indigenous CRISPR gene therapy for sickle cell

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched ‘BIRSA 101’, India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for sickle cell disease, developed at CSIR-IGIB and transferred to the Serum Institute. The therapy aims to make advanced gene-editing cures affordable for Indian patients, particularly tribal populations, supporting the ambition for a Sickle Cell–free India by 2047.

A chip built by Princeton’s Nathalie de Leon, Andrew Houck, Robert Cava and their research teams supports qubits with coherence times longer than 1 millisecond — three times longer than the best ever reported in a lab setting, and nearly 15 times longer than the industry standard.
Image by Matthew Raspanti, Office of Communications, Princeton University.

(00:21) Princeton’s qubit breakthrough extends coherence threefold
Princeton University researchers have demonstrated a quantum qubit with coherence times exceeding one millisecond — triple the laboratory record and fifteen times the industry standard, Science Daily reports. The team built a functioning quantum chip proving the design supports error correction at scale, addressing the fundamental challenge limiting quantum processors.

Their architecture is compatible with systems used by Google and IBM. According to analysis, replacing key components in Google’s Willow processor with Princeton’s approach could yield a thousandfold performance increase, signalling meaningful progress toward fault-tolerant quantum systems essential for practical applications.

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(01:10) Google quantum AI achieves 13,000× speedup on physics
Separately, some of you may recall that last month Google announced that its Willow quantum processor executed a physics simulation 13,000 times faster than classical supercomputers using a novel “Quantum Echoes” algorithm published in Nature. The breakthrough demonstrates the first verifiable quantum advantage running a physically meaningful algorithm — measuring quantum interference effects called out-of-time-order correlators.

Beyond raw speed, the work establishes quantum computing’s practical relevance to experimental science, particularly nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, validating a path toward real-world quantum applications within five years.

(01:54) Sentinel-6B launches to continue climate monitoring mission

The European Space Agency and NASA successfully launched Copernicus Sentinel-6B aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Nov. 17, continuing a decades-long mission tracking sea-level rise — a critical indicator of climate change, Spaceflight Now reports.

The satellite carries advanced altimetry instruments measuring ocean surface heights with centimetre precision, directly supporting climate science and international efforts to understand planetary warming. This mission exemplifies the growing convergence of space infrastructure and environmental monitoring, with satellite data becoming indispensable for climate policy and adaptation planning worldwide.

(02:43) Emulate launches organ-on-chip platform for drug development

Emulate, a leader in organ-on-chip technology, unveiled its Brain-Chip R1 in partnership with FUJIFILM Cellular Dynamics to accelerate neurological drug discovery, the company said in a press release. The platform uses living human brain cells to model central nervous system responses, addressing a critical gap in preclinical testing where traditional methods fail to predict clinical outcomes.

This technology promises faster, more reliable validation of neurological therapeutics while reducing dependence on animal testing—positioning Emulate at the intersection of biotechnology and advanced manufacturing innovation.

(03:27) Cornerstone Robotics raises $200 million for surgical robot platform

Hong Kong’s Cornerstone Robotics secured $200 million in fresh funding to accelerate global commercialization of its multi arm Sentire Endoscopic Surgical System, Fierce Biotech reports.

Recently approved in China and now in UK clinical trials, the platform targets colorectal and urologic surgeries. The round, backed by major global funds, affirms demand for accessible next-gen surgical robotics as the company deepens its global footprint.

An ISRO SSLV with an Earth Obervation Satellite. Govt backing for space tech startups is soaring. Image source ISRO website.

(00:21) SIDBI hits first close of Antariksh, India’s largest space fund

SIDBI Venture Capital announced the first close of its Antariksh fund at Rs 1,005 crore, anchored by a Rs 1,000 crore commitment from IN-SPACe, Times of India reports. Registered as a Category II alternative investment fund with a decade-long tenure, it represents India’s largest dedicated space-tech vehicle and among the biggest globally.

The Rs. 1,600 crore fund will back early and growth-stage companies across launch systems, satellites, ground infrastructure, earth observation and downstream applications. The initiative advances India’s ambition to build a $44 billion space economy by 2033.

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(01:03) IIT Delhi spin-off delivers quantum-grade laser breakthrough

Prenishq unveiled India’s first indigenous high-precision compact diode laser, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s quantum technology efforts. Supported by the National Quantum Mission, Prenishq’s laser delivers high beam quality, superior stability and long-term reliability across wavelengths from ultraviolet to near infrared, according to a statement from the ministry of science and technology.

The plug-and-play system will enable quantum-safe transactions for financial institutions, protecting sensitive data against future quantum computing threats. It also supports photonic quantum computers tackling drug discovery and chemical process analysis.

(01:49) Government backs Rs 7,172 crore electronics manufacturing push

The Ministry of Electronics and IT has approved seventeen proposals under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, spanning nine states with cumulative investment of Rs 7,172 crore. The projects will generate Rs 65,111 crore in production and create 11,808 direct jobs.

Key approvals include India’s first optical transceiver manufacturing facilities by Jabil Circuit India and Zetchem Supply Chain Services, alongside oscillators for communication devices and industrial electronics. The scheme targets components for smartphones, IT hardware, electric vehicles, defence and renewable energy sectors.

(02:40) Hyderabad biotech startup forges Japan regenerative med tie-up

BioVaram, incubated at the University of Hyderabad’s ASPIRE-BioNEST, entered a strategic partnership with Japan’s Teijin Limited to expand regenerative medicine between the two nations, UNI reports. The collaboration will bring Teijin’s cardiovascular repair patch SYNFOLIUM and Japan Tissue Engineering’s regenerative products to India, whilst Teijin supports commercialisation of BioVaram’s exosome-based diagnostics, therapeutics and bio-derived materials in Japan.

Founded in 2020 and recognised among the top five startups at BioAsia 2024, BioVaram develops artificial intelligence-driven peptides, exosomes and biomaterials for regenerative medicine. The alliance strengthens India’s capabilities in advanced tissue engineering and scalable manufacturing.

(03:36) Varaha raises $30M for India’s regenerative agriculture programme

Climate tech startup Varaha has raised $30 million from French sustainable investor Mirova to expand its Kheti soil-carbon project across Haryana and Punjab, TechCrunch reports. The transaction, structured as project-level investment against future carbon credits, represents Mirova’s largest single carbon deal and its first in India.

The funds will support over 337,000 smallholder farmers implementing regenerative practices across 675,000 hectares. Varaha operates four removal pathways: regenerative agriculture, biochar, agroforestry on degraded lands and enhanced rock weathering. The company runs experiments with institutions including IARI Pusa and IIT Kharagpur to quantify net carbon change. Earlier this year, Varaha signed a multi-year biochar offtake agreement with Google.

L-R: Shravan Shankar and Simmi Sareen, co-founders of Climake, have recently released the fifth edition of their annual state of climate finance in India report.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Simmi Sareen and Shravan Shankar, co-founders of Climake, a climate finance platform and advisory, to talk about their fifth annual report on the state of climate finance in India – 2025 edition.

In 2024, equity capital deployed reached $9.4 billion, about double from the previous year, with public markets absorbing 60 percent of all funding. Simmi and Shravan also talk about some consequential shifts: such as the emergence of a public capital ecosystem that routes money to climate solutions that can be vital while not being attractive to venture capital investors.

The two co-founders have formally tracked this evolution ever since they founded Climake in the middle of the Covid pandemic, and much longer in various capacities before that. Simmi brings to Climake two decades of mainstream finance experience, including at a global investment bank, and she’s previously built a climate-focused fintech and debt platform.

Shravan has built his career across sustainability policy, innovation ecosystems, and climate entrepreneurship. Their annual State of Climate Finance reports are increasingly widely accepted in the industry as investor look at India-specific decisions.

In this conversation they talk about what their fifth report reveals: a $2 trillion capital requirement through 2035, a substantive shift toward adaptation financing, and the expanding role of public markets in sectors like wastewater treatment and solar components that aren’t attractive from a VC’s perspective.

The discussion spans emerging technologies from sustainable fuels and flow batteries to seaweed-based biochar solutions, the persistent gaps in growth-stage capital for asset-heavy climate enterprises, and how adaptation will reshape investment contours as it becomes increasingly urgent.

Simmi Sareen and Shravan Shankar co-founders of Climake have released the 5th edition of their annual report on the state of climate finance in India.

Coming up, in the next episode of India Tech Report: In Conversation, Simmi Sareen and Shravan Shankar at Climake discuss their State of Climate Finance in India 2025 report.

Catch the full conversation tomorrow right here, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Meanwhile, here’s a 90-second view point on how there are sectors and companies that aren’t necessarily suited for VC funding, but still can do very well and sometimes via the public markets route.
While VCs optimise for venture returns, public markets accommodate businesses with steady but modest growth profiles.
Neither model is superior; rather, their coexistence creates a broader funding ecosystem.

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India’s public markets are funding climate businesses that venture capital investors won’t find attractive. VCs have historically avoided sectors like wastewater treatment, solar pumps, and heat exchangers — industries they deem to lack sufficient competitive moats. Yet these same businesses are thriving on public exchanges.
Of 39 climate IPOs they tracked recently, 18 were valued below $10 million, suggesting companies aren’t listing for traditional exit valuations but rather to access capital unavailable through VC channels.
This matters because sectors excluded from venture portfolios are often critical to India’s decarbonisation pathway. Wastewater treatment and agricultural technology address real climate adaptation needs, but conventional VC return thresholds misalign with their economics.
For climate entrepreneurs, the implication is clear: IPO routes may not necessarily be about scale, but they provide access. India’s climate finance challenge requires utilising all available capital channels, and public markets are filling a void that private capital has held back from.

Simmi Sareen and Shravan Shankar co-founders of Climake have released the 5th edition of their annual report on the state of climate finance in India.

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Catch the full conversation on Friday, Nov. 14 right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a one-minute preview.

Climake

https://www.climake.co

Dr. S Somanath, former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, delivering a keynote at the deep tech VC firm Speciale Invest’s annual summit in Chennai on Nov. 3.

News, views, and conversations with founders, investors, industry leaders and other stakeholders building India’s deep tech and climate tech ecosystems.

In this episode I bring you a lightly edited version of a speech made by Dr. S. Somanath, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Dr. Somanath was speaking at the VC firm Speciale Invest’s annual deep tech summit, in Chennai on Nov. 3.

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In his talk, Dr. Somanath outlines his views on India’s nascent but fast evolving deep tech ecosystem, drawing from his transformative tenure at the helm of the nation’s space programme. He reflects on ISRO’s journey from a closed-door organization to an enabler of private space enterprises, catalyzed by the landmark space sector reforms in India in recent years.

Dr. Somanath discusses India’s ambitious goal to grow its share of the global space economy from 2 percent to 10 percent, tapping the space applications opportunities in critical deep tech domains including AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductor production.

He addresses the scaling challenges faced by deep tech startups, emphasizing the crucial role of government as an anchor customer, the need for patient capital from investors, and regulatory reforms that can unlock growth. With India’s youth population and vast untapped markets, Dr. Somanath presents a vision where indigenous capability development, academic-industry collaboration, and strategic policy interventions can position India as a global deep tech powerhouse.

Dr. S Somanath

https://www.isro.gov.in/DrS_Somanath.html

Speciale Invest

https://www.specialeinvest.com/about

QpiAI Founder Nagendra Nagaraja is has unveiled a 64-qubit quantum processor.

Nvidia, Qualcomm join alliance to mentor Indian deep tech startups

Nvidia has joined the $2 billion India Deep Tech Alliance as a founding member, pledging mentorship and advanced training to support local AI, semiconductor, and robotics startups, CNBC reports. Qualcomm Ventures, Activate AI, InfoEdge Ventures, Chirate Ventures and Kalaari Capital also joined the US-India alliance, which was announced in September initially comprising eight VC and PE firms as founding members, with a commitment of $1 billion. The partnership comes ahead of India’s AI Impact Summit, planned for February 2026.

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QpiAI unveils 64-qubit Kaveri, India’s top quantum processor

QpiAI has unveiled a 64-qubit superconducting quantum processor, named Kaveri, marking India’s most powerful quantum chip. Introduced at India’s first emerging tech and innovation conclave in Delhi on Nov. 3, the processor could be useful in cryptography, machine learning, materials research and drug discovery. Its commercial release is slated for Q3 2026. Founder CEO Nagendra Nagaraja, started the venture in 2019. It’s raised $32 million in funding from backers including the Government of India’s National Quantum Mission.

UK Lawmakers warn nation’s science sector faces critical decline

A parliamentary report in the UK says the nation’s science sector is “bleeding to death,” citing stagnant research budgets, policy churn, and aid cuts, Science reports. Lawmakers warn that delays in promised funding, loss of global competitiveness, and growing deficits at universities threaten the nation’s research leadership, urging urgent government action to prevent lasting damage.

New drug candidate shows promise against drug-resistant tuberculosis

Scientists have developed CMX410, a compound that blocks a key enzyme in tuberculosis bacteria, proving highly effective even against drug-resistant strains, Science Daily reports. Created using click chemistry, CMX410 targets cell wall synthesis, showing safety in animal trials and compatibility with existing therapies. Early results indicate strong potential for improved, shorter, and safer TB treatments, according to the report.

Magnons could unlock ultrafast, energy-saving computers of future

University of Delaware engineers have discovered that magnetic waves called magnons can generate electric signals in special materials – a breakthrough that may enable computer chips to merge magnetic and electrical systems, which in turn could enable ultrafast operation at terahertz speeds with drastically lower energy use, Science Daily reports. The work advances hybrid quantum material research for next-generation computing technologies, according to the report.

LambdaVision raises $7M to build artificial retina in space

LambdaVision has raised $7 million in seed funding to advance manufacturing of its protein-based artificial retina aboard the International Space Station, Tech Funding News reports. The microgravity process yields highly uniform films, aiming to restore sight for patients with degenerative eye diseases. Investors include Seven Seven Six, Aurelia Foundry Fund, and Seraphim Space.

In Conversation

High voltage harvest: Anoop Srikantaswamy’s electric vision for the future of Indian agriculture

by Hari ArakaliMay 19, 2026

Autonomous tractors: Anoop Srikantaswamy at Moonrider on the bigger picture — full interview coming soon

by Hari ArakaliMay 16, 2026

Neil Shah, VP Research, Counterpoint Technology Market Research. Image source: Neil Shah.

In today’s episode, Neil Shah, co-founder and vice president at Counterpoint Technology Market Research, gives us a quick take on Intel’s new Panther Lake processor and its potential use cases in robotics and physical AI.

Intel’s new Panther Lake SoC marks a defining turn in the company’s roadmap toward robotics-ready edge computing. In this quick-take episode, Neil explains how the chip’s modular ‘chiplet’ design, delivering up to 180 trillion operations per second (TOPS), could make Intel a contender below Nvidia’s high-end robotics tier.

He also weighs in on the ‘physical AI’ applications for robots that sense, analyze, and act locally. And is there an opportunity here for India’s fabless chip design startups? Stay on to hear Neil’s views on this.

Neil Shah
https://counterpointresearch.com/default.htm/opinion-leader/Shah?id=10

Intel’s Panther Lake press release
https://newsroom.intel.com/client-computing/intel-unveils-panther-lake-architecture-first-ai-pc-platform-built-on-18a

More on Intel’s Physical AI software suite
https://community.intel.com/t5/Blogs/Tech-Innovation/Artificial-Intelligence-AI/Simplify-Physical-AI-Deployment-with-Intel-Robotics-AI-Suite/post/1719666

Ganapathy ‘Gani’ Subramaniam, founding managing partner at Yali Capital.

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In today’s episode, Ganapathy ‘Gani’ Subramaniam, founding managing partner of Yali Capital, a deep-tech VC firm in Bengaluru, joins me for Part 2 of our discussion on the firm’s debut deep-tech fund.

In this conversation, we picked up with Yali’s investment in Perceptyne, a company developing humanoid robotics for manufacturing and eventually physical AI applications. Gani then speaks about the semiconductor industry in India, identifying opportunities for both globally competitive and domestically focused fabless chip design companies, with the C2i Semiconductors in the first category.

And if you stay on, you’ll get Gani’s insights into the importance of diverse co-founding teams, global thinking, and why storytelling holds the key to funding – something that India’s deep tech founders need to master.

Bhaktha Ram Keshavachar, founder and CEO of Chara Technologies.

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In this episode, Bhaktha Ram Keshavachar, founder and CEO of Chara Technologies, talks about a new funding round at his startup.

Chara, based in Bengaluru, specializes in building rare earth-free motors and matching controllers. That China, which has a near monopoly on the supply chain of rare earth minerals, has intensified its restrictions on their exports, is something of a tailwind for ventures like Chara.

In this briefing, Bhaktha covers the company’s Series A funding of Rs. 52 crore, or about $6 million, led by Arkam Ventures, with participation from Exfinity Venture Partners, Kalaari Capital, and IIMA Ventures, and how the money will help.

Plans include, ramping up sales, further investment in new technology and products, and a significant increase in motor production capacity.

IFC proposes $6M equity investment in African Catalyst Fund

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plans to invest up to $6 million in Catalyst Fund, which is targeting a corpus of $40 million for early-stage climate-tech startups across Africa, Africa Private Equity News reports. Managed by Catalyst Impact Partners, the fund focuses on fintech for climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and climate-smart services in multiple African countries including Nigeria and Kenya. This investment supports the growth of early-stage climate solutions continent-wide.

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Spain stands out for ESG and climate tech startups amid extreme weather

Spain, highly impacted by extreme climate events like heatwaves and floods, is emerging as a European leader in ESG and climate tech startups. Companies like Credibl use AI-powered platforms to help over 150 organizations meet sustainability goals, Novobrief reports. Supported by €163 billion EU green funds, Spain is advancing toward a low-carbon, resilient economy aligned with the EU Green Deal.

Iceland reigns as global climate tech leader in 2025

Iceland is recognized globally for its leadership in climate tech, excelling in geothermal energy, carbon capture and storage, and biotech innovations, Energy Digital reports. With projects like Carbfix converting CO2 to stone and advanced geothermal power, Iceland combines strong public leadership, research, and cross-sector collaboration to pioneer scalable, impactful climate solutions. Its renewable energy-powered tech scene is rapidly growing and influential worldwide.

India and UAE deepen cooperation in climate action and biodiversity

In Abu Dhabi, India’s Union MoS for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh met with UAE Environment Minister Dr. Amna Al Shamsi to strengthen collaboration on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable development, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change states in a press release. India praised UAE’s leadership at COP28 and its Mangrove Alliance for Climate initiative. Both nations plan to boost partnerships in global climate initiatives like ISA, CDRI, and LeadIT, advancing Mission LiFE goals together.

Ministry of New & Renewable Energy completes preparatory phase of Special Campaign 5.0

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), along with its CPSUs and autonomous institutes, successfully completed the preparatory phase of Special Campaign 5.0 from September 15-30, 2025, as stated in a Ministry of New and Renewable Energy press release. The campaign aims to institutionalize cleanliness and efficiency in government offices. The implementation phase began October 2 and will run through October 31, focusing on achieving cleanliness and operational targets.

GPS Renewables names ex-L&T executive as CPO

GPS Renewables has appointed Harikrishnan B as its Chief Projects Officer, a critical leadership position as the company expands its portfolio of large-scale biofuel infrastructure projects, it said in a press release. The full-stack renewable oil & gas firm tapped the former L&T executive for his two decades of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) expertise, which includes managing a $1 billion+ project for Saudi Aramco. His 

GalaxEye sets 2026 Q1 for multi-sensor satellite launch

GalaxEye’s founders: (L-R) Denil Chawda CTO, Pranit Mehta VP of Business Development, Suyash Singh CEO, Kishan Thakkar VP of Engineering, Rakshit Bhatt VP of Product Development.

Space-tech startup GalaxEye has announced plans for its inaugural ‘Mission Drishti’ in the first quarter of 2026, to put its first synthetic aperture radar and high-resolution optical payloads on a single platform in space in low Earth orbit.

This first satellite is said to be India’s largest privately built spacecraft, weighing 160 kg. It also has the highest-resolution, according to a press release from GalaxEye. This launch initiates a constellation programme comprising 8–12 satellites to be deployed through 2029, aiming for near real-time Earth observation.

Mission Drishti utilizes GalaxEye’s proprietary SyncFused Opto-SAR technology. This multi-sensor configuration is designed to provide all-weather, all-time Earth observation data with 1.5-metre spatial resolution. The system, which recently underwent successful structural testing at ISRO, will support governments, defense agencies, and industries with geospatial analysis for applications including border surveillance, disaster management, and infrastructure monitoring.

Ganapathy Subramaniam, founding managing partner of Yali Capital.

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Coming up on Wednesday, Oct. 15

The importance frugal engineering, diverse co-founder teams, and strong customer focus for deep tech startups.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Ganapathy Subramaniam, founding managing partner at Yali Capital, in which Gani discusses his firm’s focus on deep tech and semiconductor startups in India. We picked up from where we left off in the first part of our chat two weeks ago, with an overview of Perceptine, a humanoid robotics company Yali has invested in.

He highlights the startup’s opportunities in serving Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) providers, and the future potential for physical AI. Gani also details the broader landscape of the Indian semiconductor industry, noting opportunities for companies targeting global markets (like C2i Semiconductors, which focuses on power components for high-compute processes) and those serving the domestic Indian market in segments such as energy meters or surveillance cameras.

Finally, Gani offers takeaways from his own entrepreneurial journey with Cosmic Circuits, emphasizing the importance of frugal engineering, diverse co-founder teams, and strong customer focus for deep tech founders today. You can catch the full conversation right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a two-minute preview.

illustrative image of an automotive assembly line. China controls over 90 percent of the processing capacity of rare earth minerals needed in magnets that go into EVs. Its tightening restrictions are impacting global supply chains.

China tightens rare earth export controls

China has expanded its restrictions on rare earth exports to safeguard national security and interests, a move seen as Beijing strengthening its leverage in trade talks with the US. The new rules add five more rare-earth elements to the existing control list, bringing the total to 12, Reuters reports. Export licenses will now be required for the production technologies of these minerals and for their overseas use, including for military and semiconductor applications.

China is seeking assurances from India that rare earth magnets supplied by it will only be used locally for civilian purposes, and also that they will not be exported to the US, Economic Times reports.

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India targets 5MMT annual hydrogen output by 2030

India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, said that the country’s “Hydrogen Age has begun,” with a target to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030, ET Energyworld reports. This would account for 10% of the global market. A key project is the NTPC Green Hydrogen Hub near Visakhapatnam, which will be one of the country’s largest integrated green hydrogen facilities. The government’s National Green Hydrogen Mission has an outlay of Rs. 19,744 crore to help achieve these goals.

Andhra Pradesh forms hydrogen advisory panel

The Andhra Pradesh government has formed a high-level advisory committee to promote the green hydrogen initiative ‘Green Hydrogen Valley – Amaravati,’ The Hindu reports. The panel, co-chaired by Dr. V.K. Saraswat and Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, will guide the state’s efforts in technology adoption, research, and infrastructure development. The goal is to make Andhra Pradesh India’s largest green hydrogen hub by 2030, contributing to the country’s sustainable hydrogen economy.

Tokamak Energy and Gauss Fusion partner to advance fusion

Tokamak Energy and Gauss Fusion have announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate the commercialization of fusion technology. The partnership will focus on advancing high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets. This alliance brings together Tokamak Energy’s expertise in HTS technology with Gauss Fusion’s leadership in industrializing fusion energy. The companies aim to pool their industrial know-how to accelerate the path to the first generation of European fusion power plants.

Aavishkaar Group launches defence and deep-tech fund

Aavishkaar Group has partnered with Jamwant Ventures to launch the ‘Jamwant Ventures Fund 2’, India’s first veteran-led defence and deep-tech fund. The new fund, targeting a corpus of INR 500 crore, is the first initiative under Aavishkaar’s new ‘OneAavishkaar’ platform. The partnership aims to provide catalytic capital and strategic mentorship to indigenous startups, empowering them to drive innovation for national security.

Newtral raises funds for global expansion

Newtral Technologies, a climate-tech startup in Bengaluru, has raised $600,000 in funding from NOW Accelerate, Indian Startup Times reports. The capital will help Newtral expand its sustainability platform and prepare for a Series A funding round. As part of the partnership, NOW will provide venture-building resources and expertise to help Newtral scale its platform, which helps businesses measure, report, and reduce their emissions.

Shilpa Kumar, MD, BII India, with Priya Shah , Founder, Theia Ventures. BII is backing Theia’s $30 million clean energy fund in India. Image source: press release.

ABB sells robotics unit to SoftBank for $5.375 billion

ABB has announced it will divest its Robotics division to SoftBank Group for $5.375 billion, a decision made as an alternative to spinning off the business, the company said in a press release. The move is expected to create immediate value for ABB shareholders and use the proceeds to improve its capital allocation. The transaction is expected to close in mid-to-late 2026.

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Honeywell and LS Electric partner to innovate data center solutions

Honeywell and LS Electric have announced a global partnership to develop and market hardware and software for data centers and battery energy storage systems, the companies said in a press release. The collaboration will create integrated power solutions to simplify management and improve efficiency, helping data centers avoid costly downtime. They will also create a new grid and building-aware battery energy storage system.

Space Ocean signs deal to explore nuclear power for deep space

Space Ocean Corp and Space Nuclear Power Corporation have signed a Letter of Intent to explore using advanced nuclear power systems for deep space missions, the companies said in a press release. The collaboration will test a 10-kilowatt nuclear reactor on Space Ocean’s ALV-N satellite. If successful, Space Nukes could become a primary supplier for Space Ocean’s future lunar and planetary missions.

India’s space economy projected to reach $44 billion by 2033

India’s space economy is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033, up from $8.4 billion in 2022, according to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, addressing the “Satcom” at the India Mobile Congress 2025, according to a press release from the department of space. Regulatory reforms and private sector participation have driven this growth, leading to over 300 space startups.

The Minister noted that satellite communication will be critical for digital connectivity and financial inclusion in rural areas. India has commercially launched 433 foreign satellites, generating substantial revenue. The long-term roadmap includes establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.

Theia Ventures secures funding to boost India’s clean energy transition

Theia Ventures has achieved the first close of its new $30 million fund, with British International Investment as the anchor investor, the VC firm said in a post. The fund will support around 20 early-stage Indian startups focused on decarbonizing sectors like heavy industry and mobility. The firm, which has already begun deploying capital, will invest between $500,000 and $1 million per company.

Indian fabless semiconductor startups are developing products and finding global customers. Illustrative image.

Quantum Computing Inc. secures $750 million in private placement

Quantum Computing Inc. (QCi), an integrated photonics and quantum optics company, has successfully closed an oversubscribed private placement, raising $750 million, according to a press release carried by Quantum Insider. The company will use the proceeds to commercialize its technology, fund strategic acquisitions, expand production, and for other corporate purposes. This latest funding brings QCi’s total capital raised since November 2024 to $1.64 billion.

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55 North launches world’s largest dedicated quantum fund

55 North, a new Copenhagen-based venture capital firm, has announced the first close of its inaugural quantum technology fund, raising €134 million. The fund, which aims for a total of €300 million, is backed by Novo Holdings and EIFO. It will invest globally in quantum computing, sensing, and communication to help commercialize quantum technology.

Owlstone Medical receives up to $49.1 million for at-home cancer tests

Owlstone Medical has been awarded up to $49.1 million by the US Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the Cambridge, UK company said in a press release. The funding will support the development of at-home multi-cancer early detection tests using breath and urine samples, aiming to detect over 30 types of solid tumors at Stage I. The project, part of the POSEIDON program, is a collaboration with multiple partners including MIT and Boston University.

Energy Robotics secures $13.5 million to scale operations

Energy Robotics, a Germany-based AI software platform provider for autonomous robot inspections, has announced a successful $13.5 million Series-A funding round, the company said in a press release. The investment will be used to accelerate the commercial deployment of its software in critical infrastructure sectors, addressing challenges like a shrinking skilled workforce and aging equipment, while improving safety and efficiency.

Australian researchers set solar cell efficiency record

A University of Sydney-led team has set a new global record for large triple-junction solar cell efficiency, Bioengineer reports. A 16 cm² perovskite-based cell achieved a certified 23.3% efficiency, while a smaller cell reached 27.06% and demonstrated superior thermal stability. The breakthrough, published in Nature Nanotechnology, is a key step towards next-generation solar technology.

IIT Madras launches national employability program

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has introduced the National Internship, Placement Training, and Assessment (NIPTA) program through its Shaastra Magazine, the institute said in a post. The initiative aims to create a national benchmark for job readiness for engineering and diploma students across India. The programme will offer free training resources and a standardized, proctored assessment covering technical knowledge, reasoning, and communication skills.

QWR and Kaynes partner to build India’s first XR manufacturing hub

QWR Interactive Solutions and Kaynes Technology India have partnered to create India’s first integrated hub for manufacturing Extended Reality (XR) devices, Analytics India Magazine reports. The collaboration will focus on designing and producing augmented and virtual reality headsets and smart glasses, with the goal of reducing import dependency by up to 50% and creating over 1,000 skilled jobs.

Indian electronics manufacturers expected to report strong growth

Indian electronics manufacturing services (EMS) companies are poised for strong Q2FY26 growth, with Kaynes, Syrma, and AVAL leading the way, analysts at PL Capital said in an earnings preview report for the fiscal second quarter or the July – September period. The report predicts a rise in profitability, driven by a strategic shift towards high-margin sectors. Overall, the EMS sector expects revenue to increase by 17.9 percent and PAT by 29.6 percent.

Morphing Machines raises Rs. 38.36 crore in Series A funding

Morphing Machines, a Bengaluru-based fabless semiconductor company, has raised Rs. 38.36 crore ($4.32 million) in a Series A funding round, according to multiple news reports. The round was led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from Speciale Invest, IvyCap Ventures, and Navam Capital. The funds will be used to build and test the company’s first chip, expand its team, and begin pilot projects with data center customers.

India’s Science and Tech minister Dr. Jitendra Singh (centre) at the curtain raiser for the country’s first science, tech and innovation conclave.

Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launched a curtain-raiser for the Emerging Science, Technology & Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025), according to a ministry press release yesterday. The three-day conclave, to be held in Delhi starting Nov. 3, will focus on technologies including semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, biotech, space, and clean energy. It is designed to be a platform for young innovators, startups, and researchers to showcase their solutions and connect with industry leaders.

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DPIIT and Thermo Fisher Scientific to support 500 biotech startups
India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has partnered Thermo Fisher Scientific to launch the BioVerse Challenge, a national programme aimed at supporting 500 biotech startups in India over the next three years, according to a press release from the commerce ministry. The collaboration will provide mentorship, access to advanced R&D facilities, and investor connections. This initiative is a key step towards achieving India’s vision of building a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030.

Eli Lilly to invest over $1 billion in India manufacturing expansion
US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly will invest more than $1 billion to expand its manufacturing and supply capabilities in India, Reuters reports. The investment includes new contract manufacturing facilities and a new manufacturing and quality hub in Hyderabad. The company’s goal is to strengthen its global supply chain and leverage India’s skilled workforce to increase the availability of key medicines for conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

RoosterBio and Secretome Therapeutics complete large-scale production for clinical cell therapy
RoosterBio and Secretome Therapeutics have successfully completed large-scale bioreactor production of STM-01, a cell therapy candidate for heart failure currently in clinical trials, the US companies said in a press release. This new process, which replaces a less efficient flask-based method, is designed to increase productivity and scalability, and will be transferred to Secretome’s contract manufacturer.

California to create statewide strategy for quantum technology
California has enacted a new law, Assembly Bill 940, to establish a statewide strategy for the quantum technology sector, Quantum Insider reports. Led by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the plan aims to attract investment, foster job growth, and coordinate public-private partnerships. The initiative, backed by $4 million in state funding for research, seeks to translate the state’s academic research into commercial applications, ensuring California’s global competitiveness in this transformative field.

Firefly Aerospace acquires SciTec in $855 million deal
Firefly Aerospace has acquired SciTec, a national security technology firm, for $855 million to enhance its space services, the two US companies said in a press release. SciTec’s defense software analytics and capabilities in missile warning, tracking, and intelligence will bolster Firefly’s offerings in the growing military-space sector. SciTec will operate as a unit of Firefly, which is now poised to strengthen its position as a major space technology provider, known for its small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles.

Einride raises $100 million for autonomous freight deployments
Einride, a startup in Sweden specializing in autonomous and electric freight technology, has secured $100 million in new funding, the company said in a press release. The capital will be used to accelerate the deployment of its self-driving trucks, advance its technology, and expand its customer base. The funding follows a year of significant growth for the company, including a doubling of its net sales and expansion into new markets.

A shot of wind turbines on the mountains. Illustrative image.

Climate change is disrupting global wind patterns
Climate change is disrupting global wind patterns, which is intensifying sand and dust storms, wildfires, and extreme weather events, Mongabay reports. This poses a growing threat to human and planetary health, with sand and dust storms affecting 330 million people annually. Conversely, some regions are experiencing “wind droughts,” which can concentrate pollutants and impact renewable energy.

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Serena Capital closes $215M AI and climate tech fund
Paris-based venture capital firm Serena Capital has closed the first part of its fourth flagship fund at €200 million, ESG News reports. The fund will invest in early-stage startups focused on artificial intelligence and climate technology, with up to €15 million per company. Notable previous investments include Dataiku and Electra. The firm aims for a final target of €250 million by 2026.

OpusFlow secures €3.8M for renewable energy automation
OpusFlow, a European startup, has raised €3.8 million in an oversubscribed funding round, Tech Funding News reports. The company’s all-in-one platform automates renewable energy installations and aims to reduce administration time by up to 80%. The new capital will be used for European expansion, including the UK, Germany, and Spain.

IGRPL secures largest single-bank funding for biofuels
IndianOil and GPS Renewables joint venture, IGRPL, has secured a $95 million loan from Indian Bank, the company said in a press release last week. The funding, the largest single-bank debt for the sector, will be used to build nine compressed biogas plants. These plants will convert agricultural waste, like paddy straw, into biofuel, with all projects expected to be completed in 2026.

Tata Chemicals and TERI launch biochemicals centre
Tata Chemicals and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have launched a Centre of Excellence on Biochemicals in New Delhi, according to a press release. The center will develop technologies for sustainable biochemicals from renewable feedstocks. Its initial focus is on producing 2,3-Butanediol, a chemical used in plastics, pharmaceuticals, and bio-jet fuel. The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art bioreactors to help bridge the gap between lab-scale innovation and commercial production.

Boson Whitewater wins award for wastewater treatment
Boson Whitewater, a water utility company, has won an award for Excellence in Wastewater Treatment and Reuse at the FICCI-ISC Sanitation Awards. Supported by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the company was recognized for its advanced 11-step filtration process that converts treated sewage into drinking water. The award is expected to help the company expand its operations across India.

SusVentures, PIEDS launch climate tech residency programme
SusMafia and the Pilani Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS) have launched the SusVentures Climate Residency Programme, a one-month in-person programme in Bangalore, according to a post by SusVentures. The programme offers founders at the earliest stage of their climate tech journey mentorship, business insights, and networking opportunities. It also provides a practical action plan and Rs. 15-20 lakhs in grant support to help founders validate their ideas and build a proof of concept. The last date to apply is this week Friday, Oct. 10.

Ganapathy ‘Gani’ Subramaniam, founding managing partner at Yali Capital.

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In today’s episode, Ganapathy ‘Gani’ Subramaniam, founding managing partner of Yali Capital, a deep-tech VC firm in Bengaluru, joins me to discuss the firm’s debut fund, which had its final close about two months ago.

At Rs. 893 crore (about $104 million), this is perhaps India’s biggest deep-tech-only fund currently, backed by Marquee names such as Qualcomm, India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Infosys Innovation Fund, The Tata Group, and Intel Corp. CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who’s an advisor to the fund.

Gani’s career traces a journey from semiconductor design engineer, starting with Texas Instruments, to building his own block-level chip design startup Cosmic Circuits, which was later acquired by Cadence Design Systems, to VC investor through several years at Celesta Capital, a well-known multinational deep tech fund, before starting Yali.

As many of you would know, Yali’s founding partners, Gani and Mathew Cyriac, partner Karthikeyan Madathil and CFO Sunil S Patil bring formidable industry experience to their endeavour – collectively over a century of experience in semiconductors, aerospace and of course VC and private equity.

In this conversation, we cover Yali’s approach to deep tech in India, which includes investing not only in early stage startups but also, selectively, some advanced late stage ventures. Gani also gives us a quick overview of the investments they’ve already made.

The conversation also offers some context on how Indian deep tech startups are navigating challenges of scale and commercialization, and why Yali Capital is betting on the next decade of deep tech innovation.

Ganapathy ‘Gani’ Subramaniam, founding managing partner of Yali Capital, talks about the firm’s deep tech bets in India.

A peak into what’s perhaps India’s biggest deep-tech-only fund.
Coming up on Tuesday, Sep. 30th, in the next episode of IndiaTechReport: InConversation I catch up with Ganapathy Subramaniam (Gani) at Yali Capital in Part-1 of our two-part discussion on the venture capital firm’s bets in India’s deep tech ecosystem.

As many of you know, Yali’s founding partners, Gani and Mathew Cyriac, partner Karthikeyan Madathil and CFO Sunil S Patil bring formidable industry expertise to their investments – collectively over a century of experience in semiconductors, aerospace and of course VC and PE.

Their first fund of Rs. 893 crore (about $104 million), is perhaps India’s biggest deep-tech-only fund currently, backed by Marquee names like Qualcomm, India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Infosys and Lip-Bu Tan, who’s an advisor to the fund.

In this conversation, we cover Yali’s approach to deep tech in India, which includes investing not only in early stage startups but also selectively some advanced late stage ventures. Gani also gives us a quick overview of what they’ve already done.

Catch the full conversation right here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a quick preview.

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Illustrative image. OpenAI and India’s Reliance are developing large AI data centres in the country.

India plans 20-year tax exemption, GST credits to boost data centres
The Indian government may grant a 20-year tax exemption and GST credits to supercharge investment in domestic data centres, Moneycontrol reports. This policy aims to attract global hyperscale players, cut costs, and accelerate infrastructure for digital services, cloud computing, and AI. The move could transform India’s data centre landscape with incentives for long-term growth and sustainability.

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Tata Technologies acquires Germany’s ESTEC for ₹750 crore to expand in Europe
Tata Technologies has acquired German company ESTEC for ₹750 crore, enhancing its capabilities in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and comfort electronics, Economic Times reports. The deal supports Tata Tech’s European growth strategy, strengthens its joint venture with BMW, and will immediately boost profitability. The acquisition comes without headcount cuts, with team expansions planned in Germany, Morocco, and India.

Indian scientists create foldable, eco-friendly aluminum battery for future devices
Researchers at CeNS and IISc Bengaluru have developed a flexible, safe, and eco-friendly battery using aluminum and a water-based solution to replace lithium-ion batteries, according to a press release. Their innovation features a copper hexacyanoferrate cathode and molybdenum trioxide anode, delivering stable performance even while bent. The battery maintains over 96 percent power after 150 cycles and promises safer smartphones, EVs, and smart wearables.

QuiX Quantum raises €15m to build Europe’s first universal quantum computer
QuiX Quantum, based in the Netherlands, secured €15 million in Series A funding to deliver its first-generation universal photonic quantum computer in 2026, Oost NL reports. Their system promises room-temperature scalability and enhanced capabilities for sectors like healthcare, IT, and advanced manufacturing. The funding strengthens Europe’s quantum tech ecosystem and aims for fault-tolerant quantum computing breakthroughs.

NUS Enterprise launches new VC partnerships and Stanford tie-up to boost startups
NUS Enterprise has expanded its venture capital programme with two new co-investment partnerships totalling S$20 million, and began a S$2 million pilot collaboration with Stanford University, Business Times reports. The initiatives aim to connect NUS spin-off startups to global investment, reinvest profits in education, and strengthen deep-tech innovation. Students will gain hands-on experience tackling industry challenges with world-leading mentors.

Stargate Hydrogen, RDI sign MoU to boost Saudi green hydrogen innovation
Stargate Hydrogen, in Estonia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Research, Development, and Innovation Authority to accelerate green hydrogen innovation in the Kingdom, Hydrogen Central reports. The agreement includes setting up Stargate’s regional headquarters in Riyadh, collaborating with Saudi academic and manufacturing partners, and advancing local technology transfer, all supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and deep-tech sustainability goals.

CerraCap Ventures invests in Enginius.ai to advance secure AI for engineering
CerraCap Ventures has backed Enginius.ai, an AI platform delivering bespoke solutions for regulated industries like aerospace and pharma, the firm said in a press release. Enginius integrates large language models with enterprise-grade security and specialized assistants for technical search, documentation, review, and simulation. The tools accelerate engineering workflow while ensuring compliance, accuracy and data security, supporting complex product development across sectors.

Cailabs secures €57m to scale photonics, ramp up ground station output
French photonics startup Cailabs has raised €57 million in a funding round led by the European Investment Bank and top European investors to accelerate industrial scale-up, Silicon Canals reports. The investment will help produce up to 50 optical ground stations annually by 2027, expand international operations, and advance next-gen laser communications for space, defense, and commercial networks.

Byome Labs raises €3.6M for instant microbiome-based skincare solutions
Byome Labs, a French deep-tech startup, has raised €3.6 million to industrialize production of its Byome Derma kits, enabling instant, point-of-sale skin microbiome testing for personalized recommendations, Silicon Canals reports. The technology offers AI-powered suggestions using antigenic strips and will be integrated as a white-label solution for brands, with international rollout planned for 2026 and expanded R&D hiring.

Supercritical names ex-BP executive Siobhan Clarke as chair to drive green hydrogen
Supercritical, a UK-based innovator in high-pressure electrolyser technology for green hydrogen, has appointed Siobhan Clarke, former BP and Cisco executive, as Chair to lead its next growth phase, Fuel Cells Works reports. Clarke’s leadership comes as Supercritical prepares for a major pilot in 2027, targeting scalable, cost-effective hydrogen production for industry decarbonization.

Menlo Ventures promotes Deedy Das to partner after AI investing successes
Menlo Ventures has promoted Deedy Das to Partner, recognizing his achievements in launching the $100M Anthology Fund with Anthropic and driving early-stage AI investments like Goodfire and OpenRouter, the VC firm, famous for its exits from...

Ravi Jain, Investment Director at Japan’s TDK Ventures, expects a snowball effect in India’s deep tech ecosystem. Image credit: Hari Arakali.

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In this episode, Ravi Jain, an Investment Director at TDK Ventures, joins me for a wide-ranging discussion on the current state and trajectory of India’s deep tech ecosystem. Jain gives us a micro capsule on the history of TDK, developing technologies for sectors spanning automotive, energy storage, and power electronics, and the strategic rationale for launching its corporate venture arm in 2019.

He talks about TDK Ventures’ mandate to invest in startups poised to shape emerging markets and tomorrow’s standards, noting the recent expansion of the firm’s India operations, and a global portfolio that includes investments across sectors such as semiconductors, advanced materials, robotics, quantum technologies, AI, mobility, climate tech and clean energy and agri-tech.

Jain addresses macroeconomic drivers, including government policy, manufacturing incentives, and evolving founder ambitions, that position India for accelerated growth in deep tech. He explains the sector’s optimism despite talent and funding challenges, and highlights the increasing sophistication of Indian deep tech founders, their pragmatism, and the snowballing effect of policy and market maturation.

He also talks about TDK Ventures’ approach to hardware versus software startups, university-driven entrepreneurship, and the imperative for foundational work in AI. Jain also shares reflections from his own career, distilling practical advice for future deep tech entrepreneurs navigating India’s rapidly changing technology landscape.

Solaq’s water from atmosphere system, one of the innovations selected to Amazon’s ClimateTech cohort in its Sustainability Accelerator. Image source: Amazon sustainability stories.

Union Minister Gadkari unveils roadmap for sustainable transport at SIAM meet

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari set out India’s sustainable transport vision at the 65th annual convention of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, stressing global alignment on BS7 (Bharat Stage 7) and CAFE (corporate average fuel efficiency) norms to cut air pollution, according to a press release from the transport ministry. He highlighted biofuel adoption, the vehicle scrappage policy, and plans to lower logistics costs, while announcing rewards and insurance for road accident helpers to improve road safety and industry sustainability.

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Coal ministry spotlights gasification for India’s clean energy future

The Ministry of Coal hosted a Mumbai roadshow on coal gasification, highlighting its role in India’s energy transition and industrial growth, according to a press release from the ministry. Officials stressed using coal gasification—including underground technologies—to create clean energy, chemicals, and hydrogen, while reducing imports and boosting economic self-reliance. The government is scaling R&D, innovation, and private partnerships to ensure safe, sustainable deployment of gasification projects nationwide.

IIT Madras start-up deploys cleaner, cost-saving wastewater tech

JSP Enviro, incubated at IIT Madras, has launched and field-proven its BEADS wastewater treatment system in industries in Tamil Nadu, according to a press release from the Press Information Bureau. The technology, which operates anaerobically without electricity or chemicals, reduces sludge and recovers energy. Each 100m³/day installation avoids 80 tons of CO₂ annually, promising ROI in 3–4 years. JSP Enviro aims to scale nationwide, unlocking climate and financial gains for manufacturers.

Bartronics India enters climate tech with carbon credit push

Bartronics India has partnered RenewCred, a climate-tech start-up, to launch blockchain-based carbon credit solutions for Indian farmers, according to a press release. The collaboration will enable over 40 million rural farmers to earn revenue by adopting sustainable practices, verified via drones and blockchain. The move marks Bartronics’ pivot from rural fintech to agri- and climate-tech, aiming to boost rural incomes and climate action.

IFC boosts responsAbility Asia climate tech fund past $400M

UK money manager M&G’s responsAbility Investments has raised more than $414 million for its Asia Climate Strategy, following a $50 million IFC investment, ESG Today reports. The fund targets renewable energy, battery storage, e-mobility, and circular economy, aiming to cut 16 million tons of CO₂. With completion near its $500 million goal, it mobilizes capital for Asia’s energy transition and offers diversification for institutional investors.

Vireo Ventures closes €50M fund to back Europe’s clean electrification

Berlin-based Vireo Ventures has closed its €50 million Electrification Fund I to support early-stage startups in Europe’s energy transition, Tech Funding News reports. The fund targets pre-seed to Series A companies advancing grid electrification, storage, and decarbonization. Investors range from pension funds to corporates, and the portfolio includes innovators in energy management, storage, and e-mobility—boosting the region’s path to net zero.

Solenery raises $750K to scale AI-powered clean energy platform

Toronto-based Solenery raised $750,000 in pre-seed funding to expand its AI platform, which streamlines clean energy adoption for Canadian homeowners and businesses, Clean Energy reports. Solenery delivers local feasibility, savings, and incentives by postal code, connecting users to vetted installers and rebates. The company aims to accelerate Canada’s net-zero transition by making solar and clean tech adoption more accessible and frictionless.

UNICEF backs climate tech to protect world’s most vulnerable

UNICEF is investing in frontier climate tech solutions, focusing on open-source and local innovations that protect children from climate change impacts like extreme heat and pollution, the UN children’s unit said in a recent post. Its Venture Fund supports early-stage startups using AI, data, and digital tools for health and resilience, aiming for scalable, equitable impact in emerging markets. The initiative also shapes global digital policy on child-centered climate action.

Amazon picks 11 startups for its latest ClimateTech cohort

Amazon has invited 11 new start-ups and scale-ups to join the second edition of the ClimateTech cohort of the Amazon Sustainability Accelerator, a programme designed to accelerate the development of climate breakthrough technologies, the company said in a post last week.

The four-week programme combines expert-led workshops, mentoring sessions, and leadership panels. It also gives some participating companies the opportunity to run a pilot with Amazon’s European operations. Selected from more than 550 applications, these innovative companies address three crucial environmental challenges: energy efficiency, waste reduction, and water management.

The selected startups are:

Mhor Energy (UK): Flow batteries storing energy in liquid for long-term, high-temperature use.

Cartesian (Norway): State-changing thermal batteries storing and releasing energy for grid management.

Over Easy Solar (Norway): Lightweight, upright solar panels for buildings unable to use conventional panels.

Active Surfaces (US): Ultra-thin, flexible perovskite solar sheets for quick, material-efficient installa...

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Coming up, on Tuesday, Sep. 16th, in the next episode of India Tech Report: In Conversation, I speak with Ravi Jain at TDK Ventures on their recent Deep Tech Report report, in partnership with Kae Capital and how he sees the ecosystem evolving.

Catch the full conversation next week right here, or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a two-minute preview.

India’s Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. Image source Press Information Bureau.

Quantum reference hub launched in Amaravati

The Andhra Pradesh government inaugurated what is said to be India’s first Quantum Reference Facility in Amaravati, backed by Rs 40 crore and support from the National Quantum Mission, Dev Discourse reports. The project focuses on testing, benchmarking, and characterizing quantum hardware, with strategic partnerships from IBM and TCS. This move aims to turn Amaravati into a global quantum innovation hub, accelerating India’s quantum computer manufacturing ecosystem and reducing import dependency.

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Ascent launches advanced PCB manufacturing hub in Hosur

Ascent Circuits, which is part of Gurugram-based Amber Group, is establishing a PCB manufacturing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, with a Rs 1,100 crore investment, the company said in a press release. The greenfield project is the first PCB facility acknowledged under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme. Specializing in complex multilayer and HDI PCBs for telecom, automotive, and aerospace sectors, it will produce 1 million square meters annually, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and reducing import dependency.

IIT Madras expands free ‘AI for All’ courses to K-12 teachers nationwide

IIT Madras has expanded its ‘AI for All’ initiative, offering six free online courses via SWAYAM Plus to school teachers nationwide, including a new ‘AI for Educators’ course for K-12, according to a post on the institute’s website. Designed for all disciplines, these courses require no coding experience and promote AI literacy, employability, and inclusive teaching. Registration is open until October 10, with certification available for a nominal fee.

Robotics tech market size to surge with AI and healthcare push

The global market for robotics technology will grow 4X from about $95 billion in 2024 to $376 billion by 2034, driven by automation, AI, cobots, and healthcare innovations, Precedence Research projects, according to a press release. Asia Pacific leads the sector, while Europe is set for fastest growth. Cobots and healthcare applications are expanding rapidly, supported by Industry 4.0, e-commerce logistics, and robotics-as-a-service model. Sustainability and IoT/cloud integration are major industry trends.

SpeedBot Robotics raises $14m for smart factory vision

SpeedBot Robotics has raised $14 million in Series B+ funding aimed at expanding its industrial machine vision offerings, IMV Europe reports. The funding will support development in automated inspection and measurement technologies, crucial for improving efficiency and quality in smart manufacturing. This growth positions SpeedBot to drive innovation in robotics, AI, and automation for the industrial sector.

Caeli secures ESA funding for climate tech

Caeli, an Amsterdam based startup, has received funding from the European Space Agency to expand its use of space-derived data and technology, named Carbon Eye, for climate resilience and environmental innovation, CoinTurk Finance reports. The funding will help accelerate the company’s product development and scale impact in climate monitoring, supporting its mission to deliver advanced data-driven solutions for a sustainable future.

Crion Technologies raises ₹3.5 crore for digital twin

Crion Technologies, a startup incubated at the IIT Madras Research Park, has raised ₹3.5 crore funding from SIG Tattva, boosting its flagship Clonos digital twin platform, Indian Startup Times reports. Founded in 2016, Crion specializes in AI, IoT, AR/VR, and cloud tech for industrial asset simulation and monitoring. The investment helps scale Crion’s enterprise partnerships and product deployment, while supporting SIG Tattva’s Pilot Before Pitch program for early-stage deep-tech startups.

Edinburgh regional deep tech supercluster programme launched

A regional deep tech supercluster programme was launched in Edinburgh, designed to unite industry, academia, and government to foster cutting-edge R&D, boost investment, and create high-impact jobs, Digit reports. This is part of a wider deep tech initiative in Scotland, according to the report. By providing funding, networking, and infrastructure, the programme will help scale regional startups, encourage collaboration, and strengthen the deep tech ecosystem for global competitiveness.

India targets domestic solar cell manufacturing by 2028

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi announced yesterday India’s plan to build a complete domestic solar value chain by 2028, advancing beyond modules to wafer and ingot production, according to a press release from the ministry of new and renewable energy. Schemes like PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM help drive renewable deployment, with 251.5 GW of non-fossil capacity already installed. The PLI scheme and GST cuts further spur manufacturing, jobs, and sustainability in the renewable energy sector.

India launches ₹100 crore scheme to boost hydrogen innovation

Minister Joshi also announced new funding of ₹100 crore to support start-ups focused on hydrogen technology, offering up to ₹5 crore per pilot project, according to a press release. The conference highlighted India’s rapid progress under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, including port-based pilots, major corporate investments, and international collaborations. By 2030, India targets five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production, 125 GW new renewable capacity, massive CO₂ reduction, and six lakh new jobs.

In Conversation

An ISRO SSLV with an Earth Obervation Satellite. Image source ISRO website.

Komatsu invests in autonomous mining with AI

Komatsu has announced what the Japanese heavy industries giant described as its most significant technology investment, partnering autonomous vehicle software maker Applied Intuition to integrate AI-powered Vehicle OS into its mining fleet, Mining.com reports. This multi-year deal aims to accelerate autonomous vehicle rollout, improve safety and energy efficiency, and address sector challenges like labour shortages and decarbonization. The move marks a major step toward modernizing mining as global pressures and demand for smarter haulage systems rise.

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Hesai plans $500M Hong Kong dual listing

Hesai Group, the world’s largest automotive lidar sensor supplier, is pursuing a dual primary listing in Hong Kong to raise up to $500 million, South China Morning Post reports. The Shanghai-founded firm will offer 17 million shares, targeting both local and global investors. Hesai supplies lidar to major EV and robotics companies, with 28 percent of 2024 revenue from exports to North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

LeydenJar raises €13M to launch silicon anode factory

Dutch battery startup LeydenJar has raised €13 million in equity funding, led by Extantia and Invest-NL, for its Eindhoven PlantOne facility, which will be the world’s first to mass-produce 100 percent silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries, EU Startups reports. LeydenJar’s technology boosts battery energy density by 50 percent, enables charging under 12 minutes, and slashes CO₂ emissions by 85 percent. The factory, expected operational by 2027, can produce enough material for 5 million smartphone batteries per year.

EndureAir raises $2.85M for UAV expansion

EndureAir Systems, a Noida-based UAV startup, has raised $2.85 million led by IAN Alpha Fund to enhance its defense-focused aerial robotics and expand into enterprise markets, Entrackr reports. Founded in 2018, EndureAir develops indigenous drones fully in-house and holds eight patents. Its portfolio includes heavy-lift logistics UAVs, long-endurance drones for medical delivery, and nano-UAVs for rescue missions.

Aeronero 2.0 debuts scalable air-to-water tech

Aeronero Solutions, in Bengaluru, has launched Aeronero 2.0, its next-gen Air Water Generation (AWG) system featuring its proprietary technology, Condessa, and its Aquair platform, designed for decentralized, climate-resilient water supply, the company said in a press release. The company has 13 patents from its knowhow, and is seeing strong commercial growth, according to the press release. Aeronero says its solution can be scaled from home to industrial capacity, delivering clean, mineral-enriched water.

HAL to produce India’s SSLV via landmark ISRO tech transfer

ISRO, NSIL, IN-SPACe, and HAL have signed India’s 100th Technology Transfer Agreement, enabling HAL to absorb and mass-produce the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) for domestic and global markets over a 24-month transition, the government agencies said in a press release. ISRO will provide training, helping HAL shift from component supplier to comprehensive launch provider, strengthening India’s commercial space launch capacity and deep-tech ecosystem. The move aims to significantly increase access to the SSLVs and position India as a global leader in affordable satellite launches.

C-CAMP, Nagaland sign MoU for innovative healthcare rollout

India’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, C-CAMP, and the Government of Nagaland have signed a strategic MoU to strengthen public healthcare by deploying indigenous health technologies targeting state-specific challenges. The partnership builds on previous COVID-19 interventions and aims to enhance infrastructure, train healthcare workers, and implement innovations in maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, and other critical areas for equitable, quality care.

In Conversation

Saurabh Chandra on ‘future factory’ vision in era of physical AI

by Hari ArakaliApril 10, 2026

Coming up: Saurabh Chandra at Ati Motors on a rendezvous with robots

by Hari ArakaliApril 2, 2026

Humanoid robots: which approach will win the race?

by Hari ArakaliMarch 19, 2026

Insight

Spotlight

Illustrative image. Aavishkaar, a well-known impact investor in India is planning a deep tech fund.

(Note: This is an updated post. The previous version included an incorrect value of Aavishkaar’s planned deep tech fund. That post has been deleted. I request subscribers who received the post by email to please ignore it.)

Scintil Photonics raises $58M to scale integrated photonics for AI

Scintil Photonics, based in Grenoble, secured $58 million in Series B funding to accelerate global production of its integrated Photonic System-on-Chip (PSoC) solutions for AI infrastructure, Tech.EU reports. Its LEAF Light engine, based on SHIP technology, enables high-density optical connectivity at much lower power, supporting next-gen AI data centers. Investors include NVIDIA, Yotta Capital, and NGP Capital.

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Agate Sensors scores €5.6M to bring lab-grade spectral sensing to devices

Finland’s Agate Sensors has raised €5.6 million, led by Voima Ventures and LIFTT with Business Finland support, to commercialize its miniature, chip-scale spectroscopy solution, AIN reports. Their technology shrinks lab-grade spectral analysis to a single-pixel chip, unlocking light-based intelligence for health, defense, and wearables. Initial chip production begins by year-end, with commercial smart wearables expected by late 2027.

Space DOTS raises $1.5M to advance in-orbit space materials testing

London-based Space DOTS, led by Bianca Cefalo, has secured $1.5 million in seed funding from Female Founders Fund, Feel Ventures, and GE to expand in-orbit material testing for satellites, Tech Funding News reports. The capital will boost SKY-I, a platform combining space sensor data with external intelligence to pinpoint orbital threats and anomalies, supporting satellite reliability and rapid environmental analysis.

MCatalysis raises seed round to commercialize microwave catalysis

Dallas-based MCatalysis, Inc. secured seed funding from HL Energy Ventures to scale Oxford University’s microwave catalysis technology for circular, clean fuels and chemicals, the company said in a press release. With exclusive global rights from Oxford University Innovation, MCatalysis aims to efficiently upcycle waste carbon using advanced microwave processes and catalysts. The funds accelerate tech development, supporting more sustainable, cost-effective chemical production.

Deakin University and Telangana to jointly advance AI innovation

Deakin University and the Telangana government have signed a Letter of Intent to establish an AI Centre of Excellence in Hyderabad, Economic Times reports. The collaboration aims to drive innovation in healthcare, education, and governance, accelerate responsible AI adoption, and upskill the local workforce. The initiative is designed to make Telangana a global hub for ethical, inclusive AI development.

University of Hyderabad launches Centre for Alternate Protein Research

The University of Hyderabad and ASPIRE-BioNEST, with Cytiva’s support, have inaugurated the Centre for Alternate Protein Research to drive innovation in sustainable food technologies, Telangana Today reports. The new facility will foster research, startups, and scalable protein alternatives, including plant-based and microbial proteins. It aims to strengthen food security, nutrition, and climate resilience through translational research and entrepreneurship.

Aavishkaar plans deep tech fund: Nikkei

Impact investor Aavishkaar Group will launch a new equity fund focused exclusively on Indian deep tech and impact ventures, Nikkei reports. Founder Vineet Rai says the fund aims to harness advanced technologies like artificial intelligence to tackle economic inequality in low-income communities, according to the report.

In Conversation

What’s holding humanoids back? This expert’s answer might surprise you

by Hari ArakaliMarch 18, 2026

Humanoid future: Arjun Dutt at Bain on the coming waves of robots

by Hari ArakaliMarch 17, 2026

Illustrative image. The world will see a massive increase in the number of poor and only the rich few will get richer due to capitalism taking advantage of AI, Geoffrey Hinton, considered the godfather of AI, was widely reported to have said in a recent interview.

India’s first telecom system with indigenous chips gets TEC certification

India has certified its first telecom system powered by fully indigenous semiconductor chips, marking a pivotal milestone for technological self-reliance, The Hindu reports. The TEC approval verifies compliance with stringent quality and performance standards, boosting the ‘Make in India’ initiative. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called this a big leap for the nation’s semiconductor ambitions and a signal that Indian-made chips now meet global benchmarks for telecom applications.

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India plans leap to 7nm chip manufacturing within seven years

The Government of India has unveiled a five-to-seven-year strategy to acquire technology and establish domestic manufacturing of advanced 7nm semiconductor chips, Business Standard reports. This builds on Tata group’s ongoing Rs. 91,000 crore wafer fab investment, which starts with producing 28nm chips. The roadmap marks a significant step towards technological self-reliance, with the Ministry of Electronics confirming a clear plan for deepening chip capability.

India sets bold targets for space station and lunar astronaut missions

At the International Conference on Space 2025, Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced India’s aim to build a Bharatiya Space Station by 2035 and land an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040, according to a press release from the ministry of science and tech. The government also highlighted upcoming missions to Mars, Venus, and asteroids, rapid startup growth, and international collaborations. The vision positions India as a global leader, driving innovation, jobs, and space-powered progress for all sectors.

Starlink accelerates partnerships for India satellite broadband rollout

Elon Musk’s Starlink is finalizing deals with data centre operators, fibre providers, internet exchanges, and major telecom firms including Airtel and Jio to build the terrestrial infrastructure for satellite connectivity in India, Economic Times reports. With trial bandwidth secured, 17 ground station sites picked, and initial capex of Rs. 500 crore, Starlink aims to anchor direct-to-cell broadband amid regulatory requirements for local routing. Competitors Kuiper and Globalstar are also entering the market.

Karnataka approves land for Quantum City in Bengaluru

The Karnataka government has allotted 6.17 acres at Hessarghatta, near Bengaluru, for a ‘Quantum City’ to advance quantum tech research, startups, and academic-industry collaboration, Times of India reports. Announced by Science and Technology Minister N S Boseraju, the initiative aims to help build a $20 billion quantum economy by 2035. The project integrates R&D, innovation hubs, and production clusters, solidifying Bengaluru’s role as a quantum innovation hub.

Penn physicist Charles Kane wins 2025 Lorentz Medal for topological insulators

Charles Kane of the University of Pennsylvania has received the 2025 Lorentz Medal, awarded by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, for his pioneering research on topological insulators, Quantum Insider reports. His work includes the prediction of the quantum spin Hall effect and breakthroughs enabling new quantum materials. The prestigious honor highlights applications ranging from low-power electronics to quantum computing.

Hyundai’s Supernal pauses air taxi program after executive exits

Supernal, Hyundai’s electric air taxi startup, has paused work on its aircraft amid staff cuts and the departures of both CEO Jaiwon Shin and CTO David McBride, TechCrunch reports. The company recently completed its first flight tests and had targeted a 2028 commercial launch. Interim COO David Rottblatt now oversees operations while new leadership is sought, reflecting wider turbulence in the eVTOL sector following similar issues at other mobility startups.

China’s Unitree Robotics targets $7 billion IPO valuation

Unitree Robotics, a Chinese leader in humanoid and quadruped robotics, is planning an initial public offering with a target valuation of up to ¥50 billion ($7 billion), Reuters reports. Backed by investors like Alibaba, Tencent, and Geely, Unitree will file for listing on Shanghai’s STAR Market in Q4 2025. The IPO could be one of China’s biggest tech listings, highlighting investor interest in robotics and local policy support for tech unicorns.

Ronovo Surgical secures $67M Series D, announces J&J collaboration for Carina robot

Shanghai’s Ronovo Surgical has closed a $67 million Series D led by Johnson & Johnson’s JJDC, bringing its 2025 funding to over $100 million, according to The Robot Report. The deal includes a targeted collaboration with J&J MedTech to accelerate commercialization of its Carina modular surgical robot in China, which is now approved for general, gynecological, urological, and thoracic surgeries. Ronovo is expanding globally, with regulatory submissions in Europe and South America.

OpenAI unveils job-matching platform to compete with LinkedIn

OpenAI has revealed plans for its AI-powered Jobs Platform, launching in mid-2026, to connect employers and workers more efficiently and challenge LinkedIn’s dominance,

AI generated illustrative image of a micro farm in space. Production of medicines and nutrients in space is an example of frontier technologies that global venture capital is backing.

Nobel laureate urges open sharing of climate technologies

Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize winning economist, has called for climate technologies to be shared freely to accelerate global decarbonization and ensure equitable access to solutions worldwide, Research Professional News reports. The appeal highlights concerns that restricting climate tech through patents or proprietary deals could slow progress on emissions reduction and sustainability goals, especially for developing nations, and urges collective action to overcome barriers to technology transfer.

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UN climate chief urges nations to submit climate goals before deadline

UN climate chief Simon Stiell has called on governments to urgently present new national climate action plans, warning that fewer than 30 countries have submitted their NDCs ahead of the looming deadline, Climate Change News reports. Countries including China, India, and the EU are yet to announce targets. Stiell stressed robust climate plans are vital for tackling global warming and capturing economic benefits from the clean energy transition.

WMO warns air pollution and climate change create a vicious cycle

The World Meteorological Organization has published its latest annual air quality bulletin, which underscores how air quality and climate change are tightly linked, impacting health, economies and ecosystems, according to a press release from the organisation. It highlights risks from wildfires, winter fog, shipping, and urban pollution, and calls for integrated action and improved monitoring. International coordination is crucial to address aerosol hazards and enhance forecasts for effective risk management.

Dutch pension giant drops US asset managers in green revamp

PFZW, the world’s 11th largest pension fund, has pulled €33.5bn from BlackRock, Legal & General, and AQR Capital Management to focus on sustainability and market-level returns, Green Central Banking reports. The move comes as climate risk pressures mount and activists push for greener investments. PFZW will now lean on Robeco, UBS, PGGM and others for its €50bn equity portfolio, signaling a wider EU pivot away from US climate policies.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems raises $863m for fusion push

MIT spinoff Commonwealth Fusion Systems closed an $863 million Series B2 round, bringing its total funding near $3 billion, Latitude Media reports. The capital will accelerate progress on its SPARC fusion demonstrator and commercial ARC plant in Virginia, backed by investors including Nvidia, Bill Gates, and Jeff Bezos. The company aims for continuous fusion and $50/MWh energy costs, but economic viability depends on breakthroughs in technology and manufacturing.

Breakthrough Energy, Khosla and DCVC launch $300m climate tech coalition

Breakthrough Energy, Khosla Ventures, and DCVC have launched the All Aboard Coalition, a $300 million fund to support climate tech startups amid declining US funding, PE Insights reports. Backed by over $40 billion in investor assets, the group will target emissions reduction technologies like carbon removal, green hydrogen, and long-duration storage. The fund aims to address the capital gap leaving many early-stage companies struggling to scale.

RMI’s Third Derivative adds 18 global startups to climate tech accelerator

Third Derivative, the RMI climate tech accelerator, has welcomed 18 new startups from six countries to its portfolio, which now totals over 280 companies, RMI said in a press release. Selected firms span innovations from bamboo building systems and green hydrogen to recyclable wind turbines and zero-emission cooling. Third Derivative aims to bridge finance and resource gaps for market-ready decarbonization tech, with portfolio startups raising $3.7 billion and creating 4,400 jobs since inception.

Singapore’s TLC 2026 opens with S$4m climate tech funding boost

The Liveability Challenge 2026 has launched in Singapore with a record S$4 million (US$3.1m) funding for climate tech startups, Eco Business reports. This 9th edition has a new partner A*Star, which has pledged S$2 million annually to support pilot decarbonisation projects, while Temasek Foundation anchors the initiative. Finalists will access testbeds and pitch at Ecosperity Week 2026. Catalytic funding and policy reforms are highlighted as key to scaling climate solutions amid global venture funding challenges.

Sinbon invests in Swobbee to accelerate green urban mobility

Taiwanese electronics firm Sinbon has made a minority investment in Berlin-based Swobbee, giving the climate tech company access to Sinbon’s global manufacturing and engineering expertise, the companies said in a press release. The partnership aims to advance battery swapping infrastructure for sustainable last-mile urban transport and will support broader adoption of swappable batteries. The deal underscores rising collaboration in e-mobility and green tech between Europe and Asia.

Climafix Summit 2025 to spotlight 400+ climate startups in Chennai

CLIMAFIX Summit 2025, among India’s largest climate startup events, will gather over 400 startups, 150 investors, and 250 corporates at IIT Madras Research Park on Sep 11-12. The agenda spans bio-solutions, energy efficiency, deep tech, and translational research, featuring expert talks, startup journeys, curated pitches, and AI for climate sessions to accelerate climate innovation and cross-sector partnerships. Key speakers include Ashok Jhunjhunwala (I...

AI generated illustrative image. CynLr and IISc have teamed up in an initiative called Visual Neuroscience for Cybernetics.

Japan’s TDK Corp. sets up Haryana plant to make 200 million lithium-ion battery packs

India’s Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated TDK Corporation’s advanced lithium-ion battery plant in Sohna, Haryana, under the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster Scheme, according to a government press release. The facility will produce about 20 crore battery packs per year — covering 40 percent of India’s domestic demand for mobile devices, wearables, and laptops. The state-of-the-art factory is expected to generate 5,000 direct jobs and marks a major milestone for India’s self-reliance and electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav inaugurated Japan’s TK Corp’s lithiumn ion battery facility in Haryana

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Survey shows optimism amid challenges for India’s deeptech founders 

A joint survey by TDK Ventures and Kae Capital of nearly 100 Indian deeptech founders highlights optimism despite funding, talent, and infrastructure hurdles, the VC firms said in a press release. While 58 percent expressed confidence in raising their next round, challenges include skill shortages, high salary expectations, and limited lab access. Sectors like energy tech, robotics, semiconductors, and quantum are poised for growth, with supportive policies slowly improving the ecosystem.

Nvidia invests in Quantinuum, valuing quantum venture at $10 billion

Honeywell’s quantum computing company, Quantinuum, has raised approximately $600 million in a funding round led by Nvidia’s venture capital arm and other investors, pushing Quantinuum’s valuation to $10 billion, the company said in a press release. The funds will accelerate development of scalable quantum systems, with Quantinuum aiming for breakthroughs in fault-tolerant quantum computing and enhanced classical AI capabilities. The investor lineup includes JPMorganChase, Mitsui, Amgen, and Cambridge Quantum Holdings.

IBM and AMD team up for quantum-centric supercomputing architecture

IBM and AMD have announced a partnership to develop quantum-centric supercomputing platforms that combine IBM’s quantum computers with AMD’s high-performance CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs, the companies said in a press release. The aim is to build scalable, open-source systems where quantum and classical computing work together to tackle problems that neither can solve alone—such as simulating atoms with quantum chips while using classical supercomputers for data analysis. An initial demonstration of hybrid quantum-classical workflows is planned for later this year.

QuantrolOx and C-DAC sign agreement to co-develop quantum computing technologies

Finland-based QuantrolOx and India’s Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have signed a Letter of Intent to jointly develop quantum computing technologies for India’s research ecosystem, according to a press release. Their collaboration aims to create an indigenous quantum software stack and enhance automated tuning and characterization tools for quantum processors. The strategic partnership will support national labs and academics, advancing C-DAC’s Hybrid HPC-Quantum Mission and semiconductor design initiative. Ultimately, it seeks to accelerate R&D timelines and strengthen India’s quantum hardware and software leadership.

Maybell Quantum raises $40M Series B to accelerate quantum infrastructure launch

Maybell Quantum has secured $40 million in Series B funding led by Addition, with participation from existing investors, to help accelerate the commercialization of its next-generation quantum infrastructure, Quantum Insider reports. The funding will support development and go-to-market efforts aimed at deploying advanced quantum hardware for scalable applications. Maybell Quantum’s solutions target key bottlenecks in quantum computing, aiming to make the technology more robust, accessible, and commercially viable.

GE Aerospace invests $300M in Beta Technologies for hybrid-electric aviation push 

GE Aerospace is investing $300 million in Beta Technologies and partnering to develop a hybrid-electric turbogenerator for next-generation aircraft, TechCrunch reports. The deal will leverage GE’s jet engine expertise and Beta’s electric propulsion know-how, promising enhanced range and payload. If approved, GE can appoint a director to Beta’s board; Beta’s total funding will rise to $1.45 billion.

RoboBallet system lets robotic arms work in harmony on factory floors

Researchers at UCL, Google DeepMind, and Intrinsic have developed RoboBallet, a graph-neural-network-powered AI system that enables robotic arms to coordinate precisely and efficiently, even in complex factories, Tech Xplore reports. Using reinforcement learning, RoboBallet can plan tasks for up to eight arms solving 40 simultaneous operations, hundreds of times faster than real-time and far beyond prior approaches. The breakthrough allows manufacturers to automate multi-robot layouts, adapt instantly to changes, and boost throughput, making choreographed robotic collaboration a practical reality.

CynLr and IISc join forces to bring neuroscience into robotics 

CynLr, a robotics startup in Bengaluru, has partnered with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to decode how biological vision can power real-world robotics, the company said in a press release. The initiative, ‘Visual Neuroscience for Cybernetics’, will transl...

ETH Zurich students have innovated a 2-metal 3D printer that significantly reduces waste and manufacturing time for cylindrical components. Image courtesy Science Direct.

Indian cabinet approves Rs.1,500 crore plan for mineral recycling

India’s Union Cabinet has cleared a six-year, Rs.1,500 crore incentive plan under the National Critical Mineral Mission to boost recycling of battery waste and e-waste for extracting critical minerals, according to a press release on the PM India website. The policy targets both large and small recyclers, offering capital and operational subsidies and aims to create 270 kT recycling capacity, 40 kT mineral output, Rs.8,000 crore investment, and 70,000 jobs. The plan is expected to strengthen supply chain resilience.

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EIC Scaling Club members raise over €1.2 billion in funding

The European Innovation Council’s EIC Scaling Club has helped 120 European deep tech scaleups collectively raise over €1.2 billion, supporting growth across sectors such as computing, renewable energy, and smart mobility, Tech.eu reports. Notable deals include €256 million for Multiverse Computing and significant rounds for Axelera AI and Aerones. The programme facilitates investor networking and marks a milestone for Europe’s deep tech, with further events scheduled into 2026.

IQM Quantum Computers raises over $300 million Series B

IQM Quantum Computers secured more than $300 million in a Series B funding round led by US-based Ten Eleven Ventures, with notable support from Finnish investor Tesi, Quantum Insider reports. This investment aims to accelerate IQM’s global expansion and quantum technology development. The round marks one of Europe’s largest quantum investments, signaling heightened growth and innovation within the continent’s quantum computing ecosystem.

Sierra nears $350 million funding round, valued at $10 billion

AI agent startup Sierra is close to securing $350 million in financing, pushing its valuation to $10 billion just two years after launch, Axios reports. Sierra, co-founded by Bret Taylor and Clay Bavor, creates custom enterprise customer service AI agents and is expected to surpass $100 million in annual recurring revenue. The investment round, led by Greenoaks Capital, highlights continued strong demand for specialized AI solutions in the business sector.

ETH Zurich students build faster multi-metal 3D printer

A team of ETH Zurich students developed a patented rotary laser powder bed fusion machine able to print with two metals simultaneously, Tech Xplore reports. The system significantly reduces waste and manufacturing time for cylindrical components by using a rotating tool path and synchronized gas flow. It aims to benefit aerospace, e-mobility, and other industries, with potential applications in rocket nozzles and turbines. ETH is seeking further industrial collaboration.

Ujjwal Kumar steps down from Teradyne Robotics presidency

Ujjwal Kumar has departed his role as president of Teradyne Robotics, known for expanding the portfolios of Universal Robots and Mobile Industrial Robots, championing physical AI and automation, according to The Robot Report. Teradyne faced revenue declines and layoffs in 2025, prompting strategic and leadership changes. Jean-Pierre Hathout, former UR and MiR executive, succeeds Kumar, combining his extensive international experience to lead the company in a rapidly evolving robotics sector.

British Business Bank recruits CVC experts for deep tech investments

The British Business Bank has hired Rachael Reid and Costantino Mariella, former corporate venture capital investors from BP Ventures and Sony Innovation Fund, to strengthen its deep tech investment strategy, Global Venturing reports. These new senior investment managers will support direct and co-investment activities. The bank has invested over £1.1bn in UK startups, focusing on life sciences, advanced materials, and future computing technologies.

Earth’s carbon storage could run out as early as 2200

A new study reveals Earth’s underground rock formations may only safely store around 1,460 gigatonnes of CO₂, far less than once believed, the journal Nature reports. At current rates, capacity could be exhausted by 2200, risking efforts to meet Paris climate targets. Achieving necessary scale would require a 175-fold increase in annual storage, with challenges in safe, practical deployment and environmental risks from potential leakage. The study was led by scientists at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg, Austria.

Video courtesy British Geological Survey: Scientists have explored burying captured carbon in the Earth as a way to reduce CO2 in the Earth’s atmosphere, but a new study says that capacity may be limited.

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Coming up: Apoorv Shaligram on battery cell innovations at e-TRNL Energy, and a funding update

by Hari ArakaliFebruary 16, 2026

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnav with the first made-in-India semiconductor chips, at the Semicon India 2025 meet in New Delhi.

First Made-in-India chips as semiconductor mission accelerates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received India’s first homegrown semiconductor chips at the opening of the Semicon India 2025 conference in New Delhi yesterday, marking rapid progress in the nation’s semiconductor mission, according to a government press release.

Multiple MoUs were signed at the meet to boost manufacturing, skills, and innovation, according to the release. The government’s push includes talent development, global partnerships, and deep tech investment, positioning India as a future global leader in semiconductors.

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US and Indian VCs unite for $1 billion deep tech alliance in India

Eight leading venture firms from the US and India have launched a $1 billion alliance to support India’s deep tech startups, pledging long-term capital and mentorship, according to multiple reports. The coalition will work with the Indian government to leverage new incentives, boost innovation, and strengthen cross-border tech ties despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Called the India Deep Tech Investment Alliance, the group brings together Celesta Capital, Accel, Blume Ventures, Gaja Capital, Ideaspring Capital, Premji Invest, Tenacity Ventures, and Venture Catalysts, TechCrunch reports, citing a joint statement from the firms. Each member will commit private capital over a 5-10-year period to India-domiciled deep tech startups, according to TechCrunch.

WisdomTree debuts quantum ETF as sector nears viability 

WisdomTree, a New York based global asset manager, has launched a Quantum Computing UCITS ETF as quantum information processing approaches commercial viability. The ETF allows investors broad access to quantum hardware and software leaders, focusing on sectors like drug discovery, climate science, and AI.

WisdomTree asserts that with exponential advances in quantum mechanics, the fund enables early participation in what may soon be one of the most transformative technological frontiers. A UCITS ETF is an Exchange-Traded Fund that complies with the EU’s Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities regulatory framework.

Quantum computer modules snap together like LEGOs for scalable, high-fidelity systems

University of Illinois scientists have created a modular quantum processor—devices connect via superconducting cables and achieve ~99 percent operation fidelity, SciTech Daily reports. This architecture enables scalability, easier upgrades, and reconfigurability, overcoming limits of monolithic designs and paving the way for larger, fault-tolerant quantum computers and advanced quantum networks.

AI-driven drug discovery accelerates as FDA aims to cut animal testing

Pharmaceutical companies are rapidly adopting AI for drug discovery and safety testing, aligning with the US FDA’s initiative to reduce animal testing, Reuters reports. Experts say combining AI and reduced animal testing could halve both costs and timelines within three to five years, though animal studies will likely remain necessary for some drugs in the near term.

MIT develops self-assembling material to enable easily recyclable EV batteries

MIT researchers have created a battery electrolyte that self-assembles and quickly dissolves in common organic liquids, allowing entire batteries to be taken apart for recycling, according to a news post on the institute’s website. Tested in solid-state cells, the material simplifies sorting of battery components and could make recycling easier and cleaner, addressing future electronic waste from the rise of electric vehicles.

Musk predicts Optimus humanoid will drive 80 percent of Tesla’s value

Elon Musk recently stated that Tesla’s future value will depend far more on its Optimus humanoid robots than on its electric cars, predicting that up to 80 percent of Tesla’s worth will derive from Optimus, CNBC reports. The company’s new strategy focuses on robotics and AI, with plans to produce 5,000 Optimus units in 2025 and target a $20,000–$30,000 price point. Musk envisions Optimus becoming core to Tesla’s operations and the global robotics market, despite continuing technical and adoption challenges.

Sixty percent of Earth’s land is now outside safe biosphere limits

A new study finds that 60 percent of the world’s land is beyond safe biosphere boundaries due to expanding human use of biomass, SciTech Daily reports. The research tracks changes since 1600, showing Europe, Asia, and North America are most affected. Scientists urge global action as ecological disruption, land conversion, and declining photosynthetic activity raise risks for planetary stability.

In Conversation

Coming up: Priyansh Mohan and Stuti Kakkar on their energy storage innovations at MEINE Electric

by Hari ArakaliFebruary 8, 2026

Illustrative image. OpenAI and Indian conglomerate Reliance are planning large AI data centres in the country – investments that could boost AI compute availability for many.

OpenAI to build multi-gigawatt AI data center in India, expanding local footprint

OpenAI is planning to set up a major data center in India with at least 1 gigawatt capacity, supported by local partnerships and backed by Microsoft, Reuters reports. The company has registered as a legal entity in India, established a local team, and will open its first office in New Delhi this year to strengthen its presence in its second-largest market. The project marks a significant move for OpenAI’s Stargate-branded AI infrastructure expansion in Asia, with further details likely during CEO Sam Altman’s September visit.

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Reliance launches AI subsidiary to power India’s deep tech future

Reliance Industries has launched a wholly owned subsidiary, Reliance Intelligence, to advance India’s AI capabilities and make the country a global hub for deep tech, The Hindu reports. The new company will focus on gigawatt-scale, green energy-powered AI data centers, forge global tech partnerships, build wide-reaching AI services for major sectors, and nurture talent. Strategic alliances with Google and Meta will enable scalable, affordable AI solutions for Indian consumers and businesses.

Lizy raises €75m to scale circular EV leasing for European firms

Lizy, a Brussels-based car leasing company, raised €75 million to expand its circular electric vehicle leasing model across Europe, Tech Funding News reports. By championing used EV leasing, Lizy offers small businesses affordable, sustainable mobility solutions, unlike the traditional “one and done” car contracts. The investment, combining capital and debt, will allow Lizy to scale up and accelerate the transition to electric fleets for companies, enhancing both environmental impact and growth.

Runway targets robotics sector with AI-powered training simulations

Runway, known for its video-generating AI, is expanding into robotics by leveraging its world models for training simulations, making robot and self-driving car development faster and more cost-effective, TechCrunch reports. Companies can use its models to test specific scenarios and actions in a virtual environment, improving scalability and precision over real-world tests. Runway will fine-tune its existing models for industry needs, backed by over $500 million in funding.

Gene variant pairs act as switches to unlock hidden disease pathways

Researchers at IIT Madras and Denmark found that interactions between specific genetic variants can act as “switches” to unlock hidden metabolic pathways, increasing understanding of complex diseases, according to a post on the institute’s website. Their yeast study, using multi-omics and time-based analysis, showed certain variant pairs rewire cellular networks and activate previously silent functions. This approach could guide new personalized therapies, biomarkers, and drug targets for conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration.

Styrofoam upcycling enables safe, efficient hydrogen storage solution

UNIST-led researchers developed a process to convert waste Styrofoam into a safe, reusable hydrogen storage medium using liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), Tech Xplore reports. The method utilizes polystyrene’s aromatic structure for hydrogen storage and retrieval, with ruthenium and platinum catalysts enabling efficient absorption and release. Innovations include improved catalyst durability and the use of waste heat, solving both hydrogen storage and plastic recycling challenges for future industrial adoption.

Norma validates quantum AI algorithms on NVIDIA GPUs for scalable use

Norma has completed validation of its quantum AI algorithms on NVIDIA hardware, demonstrating robust performance and compatibility for high-impact applications, Quantum Insider reports. This achievement marks a significant milestone in bridging quantum computing with advanced AI, enabling scalable solutions in areas like optimization and materials science. The testing confirms that Norma’s quantum AI stack integrates smoothly with industry-standard GPUs, paving the way for commercial deployments and future research.

6G wireless promises ultra-fast, AI-powered connectivity for advanced applications

6G wireless technology will offer ultra-high data rates, near-zero latency, and large-scale connectivity, integrating sensing and AI-driven operations for advanced applications beyond traditional communication, IEEE Spectrum reports. It will support scenarios requiring precise positioning, critical low-latency vehicular communications, and highly adaptive resource management in dense, heterogeneous environments. Innovations like terahertz spectrum, smart antennas, full duplex, and meta-surfaces are key features, making 6G transformative for industries and society.

In Conversation

From jetpacks to robot brigades: Jay Panchal on Aule’s vision for India’s space-tech future

by Hari ArakaliFebruary 3, 2026

One of the winners being presented with a cheque by Dr. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, chairperson of Biocon, at the conclusion of C-CAMP’s NBEC 2025 competition in Bengaluru

IN-SPACe signs five ISRO tech transfer deals with Indian firms

IN-SPACe has facilitated the transfer of five ISRO-developed technologies to Indian industry, with tripartite agreements signed in Ahmedabad between IN-SPACe, NSIL, and the recipient companies, according to a press release. The ISRO-developed technologies are expected to boost self-reliance and reduce imports in biomedical, solar, and manufacturing sectors.

Notable transfers include LTCC multi-chip modules and adhesives for solar panels. IN-SPACe, which was founded by Government of India five years ago to support private space sector in the country, has now executed 98 transfer agreements, driving industrial innovation and indigenization.

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ideaForge SWITCH UAV receives DGCA nod for broad deployment

ideaForge Technology’s SWITCH UAV has received DGCA Type Certification, needed for deployment in civil, paramilitary, and enterprise sectors, the company said in a press release. SWITCH offers military-grade performance with VTOL, long endurance, and high payload for tactical and industrial missions like border surveillance and infrastructure monitoring.

The certification affirms SWITCH’s reliability and safety, supporting expanded use across critical applications and reinforcing ideaForge’s leadership in advanced aerial intelligence.

AI to unlock $500 billion opportunity for India’s tech services

Nasscom has released a new report, tapping the consultancy McKinsey as its knowledge partner, highlighting India’s technology services sector’s shift from pandemic-fueled digital growth to AI-driven transformation, India’s biggest tech lobby said in a press release.

Between 2020–2025, structural changes accelerated, with enterprise budgets now focusing on AI for productivity. The report forecasts muted near-term growth but robust 12–15 percent expansion in data and AI segments. Agentic AI could add $300–500 billion in new spending as hybrid human-AI models reshape delivery, requiring mass reskilling.

EKA Mobility, Shriram Green Finance sign MoU to boost EVs

EKA Mobility, an electric commercial vehicles company in Pune, has signed an MoU with Shriram Green Finance to offer flexible, affordable financing, aiming to accelerate India’s clean transport shift, the company said in a press release.

The partnership will help with EV adoption for fleet operators, dealers, and small businesses through loans for EKA’s range of buses, trucks, LCVs, and three-wheelers, reducing financial barriers for zero-emission fleets.

Sixteen startups, six student teams win big at C-CAMP NBEC 2025

The eighth edition of the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition 2025 concluded in Bengaluru, Saturday last week, with 16 startups and six student teams winning close to ₹40 crore in cash prizes and investments.

NBEC, organized every year the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms, C-CAMP, in Bengaluru, supported by the Government of Karnataka, drew 3100 entries nationwide, spotlighting promising biotech innovation from smaller cities. Winners will receive mentorship and support to scale their solutions, which address challenges in diagnostics, drug discovery, water, sanitation, and agriculture.

Among the winners

immunitoAI Pvt Ltd: Uses AI to develop novel single-domain antibody drugs for autoimmune diseases and cancer, improving therapeutic options for previously hard-to-treat conditions.

Contrivation Labs Pvt Ltd: Automates post-harvest separation of red chilli stems, boosting agricultural productivity and efficiency.

Nexus Power: Creates biodegradable batteries from crop residue for mobility and stationary uses, offering a greener solution for energy storage.

IIOT Innovation Pvt Ltd: Converts industrial carbon emissions into valuable biochemicals using microalgae biorefinery, supporting both sustainability and circular economy goals.

Student teams included those from institutes such as IIT Kanpur and ICGEB. Among the innovations they’re developing are bone fillers for orthopaedics, rapid pathogen detection kits, and yeast formulations to enhance ethanol production.

About C-CAMP NBEC

Since 2017, C-CAMP NBEC has catalyzed over 110 young entrepreneurs, nurturing deep science startups with commercial potential, and is backed by top government bodies and global partners. C-CAMP itself is a leading biosciences innovation hub in India, incubating 550+ startups and driving translational research for healthcare, agriculture, and environmental impact.

Coming up: Manish Singhal on India’s chance to be counted a global deep tech nation by 2030
by Hari ArakaliJanuary 25, 2026

GS Madhusudan, co-founder and CEO of Incore Semiconductors, says India’s chip ecosystem needs many more people who can conceive and market products.

My guest in today’s episode is GS Madhusudan, Co-Founder and CEO of Incore Semiconductors, a company at the forefront of processor IP innovation in India. With nearly four decades of experience in the technology sector, Madhusudan has played a significant role in shaping India’s semiconductor landscape.

Before co-founding Incore in 2018, he managed the Shakti processor project at IIT Madras, which helped build foundational expertise for commercial processor design in the country.

Incore Semiconductors, incubated at the institute, emerged from this ecosystem, focusing on RISC-V architecture to offer customisable processor IP for applications ranging from consumer electronics to automotive and industrial settings.

Under Madhusudan’s leadership, Incore is combining technical advancement with practical business strategies, offering solutions for secure, fault-tolerant, and AI-optimised processors. The company has developed a flexible SOC generator platform and collaborates with multiple foundries, supporting customers from IP licensing to product tape-out.

Incore is backed by the well-known VC firm Peak XV Partners.

Madhusudan remains an active advisor to government agencies. He emphasises the importance of talent development, marketing and product management, and practical deployment in India’s quest for a stronger presence in the global semiconductor market.

Co-Founders of PeelONPeelON Venkata Ravi Sankar Ummidi and Taraka Ramji Moturu have just raised $1 million in seed funding. Image courtesy company.

C-CAMP announces date for bio entrepreneurship competition finale
C-CAMP, with support from the Government of Karnataka, will host the grand finale of the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC 2025) on August 23 at Hotel LaLit Ashok, Bengaluru. The event will see participation by IT Minister Priyank Kharge and Biocon Chairperson Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
This is the eighth season of the NBEC. This year, winners stand to gain nearly Rs. 40 crore in prizes and investments, chosen from 3100+ applications across 34 states and UTs.

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BEL, Centum team up on advanced indigenous defence electronics
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Centum Electronics have inked an MoU to jointly develop and manufacture advanced electronic modules and systems for defence applications including electronic warfare, radar, and secure military communications.
The collaboration aims to strengthen indigenous technology capability in critical domains, supporting national defence and strategic electronics.

Ather Energy launches 2025 Ather 450X electric scooter in Sri Lanka
Ather Energy, one of India’s leading electric two-wheeler makers, has launched the new 2025 Ather 450X model in Sri Lanka, expanding to 19 showrooms nationwide, the company said in a press release. The scooter features multi-mode traction control and advanced tyres for enhanced performance and range.
Ather’s international growth now includes Nepal and Sri Lanka, with expanded EV infrastructure and a focus on building a reliable ownership ecosystem, the company says.

ideaForge unveils Q6V2 GEO UAV for all-terrain, high-precision mapping
ideaForge Technology has announced the global launch of its Q6V2 GEO UAV, debuting a versatile mapping platform designed for extreme environments and diverse use cases, the company said in a press release. Offering more than 50 minutes of LiDAR-enabled flight and modular payloads — including AI-powered imaging and hyperspectral sensors—the Q6V2 GEO empowers industries, governments, and researchers with advanced geospatial intelligence and seamless cloud integration for actionable insights and 3D mapping.

Setco Auto Systems and VNIT Nagpur sign MoU for automotive research
Setco Auto Systems, a subsidiary of Setco Automotive Ltd, has joined forces with VNIT Nagpur to drive joint research and innovation in automotive technology, according to a press release. The partnership will focus on developing next-generation clutch systems, electric mobility, and sustainable vehicle solutions, including establishing a Clutch Research Laboratory at VNIT.
VNIT students will gain industry exposure through live projects and mentorship from Setco’s R&D experts.

mRNA cancer vaccine shows tumor-eliminating promise in mice
University of Florida researchers developed an experimental mRNA vaccine that, when paired with immunotherapy drugs in mice, eliminated resistant tumors, Science Daily reports. The vaccine stimulates the immune system broadly, rather than targeting a specific protein, showing potential as a universal cancer vaccine.
The results build on previous clinical work and indicate this approach could sensitize immune responses across many cancer types, with human trials planned.

Waterloo researchers create robots to dissolve kidney stones quickly
University of Waterloo researchers have developed soft, flexible robots that use magnets and an enzyme to dissolve kidney stones directly in the urinary tract, according to The Robot Report. Tested in 3D-printed models, the strips deliver urease to reduce urine acidity, shrinking stones within days. This minimally invasive method could help patients who cannot tolerate drugs or surgery. Next steps include animal studies and refining the robotic system for precise, doctor-controlled targeting of stones.

Hades Mining raises €5.5 million to launch ultra-deep drilling tech
Munich’s Hades Mining has raised €5.5 million in pre-seed funding led by Project A to develop cutting-edge drilling systems for ultra-deep geothermal energy and critical mineral deposits, EU Startups reports.
Founded earlier this year, the startup aims to reduce Europe’s reliance on imports by unlocking extreme underground resources through proprietary, sustainable in-situ recovery technology. Funds will accelerate tech development and site preparation for mineral and energy extraction.

growX back’s PeelON’s green packaging vision in $1 million funding
PeelON, a bio-tech startup in Vishakapatnam, has raised $1 million in seed funding led by growX Ventures, with participation from Boston Venture Group and Climate Angels, the company said in a press release.
PeelON develops plant-based, compostable packaging that extends the shelf life of fruits and vegetables and is already commercially used in India and the US. The capital will fund expanded R&D and production, hiring, and certifications across markets.

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Coming up, in the next episode of In Conversation, G S Madhusudan, Co-Founder and CEO of InCore Semiconductors, gives us a sense of how far India’s chip ecosystem has come, and how quickly it’s evolving.
Catch the full conversation on Friday, Aug. 22nd, right here or wherever you get your podcasts. Here’s a one-minute preview.

Inbound Aerospace’s founders Abhijit Bhutey, Aravind IB and Vishal Reddy are developing an unmanned reusable spacecraft for microgravity experiments. Image courtesy the company.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Abhijit Bhutey and Vishal Reddy, co-founders of Inbound Aerospace, a startup incubated at IIT Madras. The discussion covers the origins of their journey — from an academic collaboration focused on microgravity research to building a company designed for commercial space experimentation.

They started simply with how the idea came to Aravind IB, their fellow founder, when as a PhD student at IIT Madras, he was exploring microgravity through drop tower experiments. The idea became a startup when Aravind was joined by Vishal, whose background includes graduate studies in the United States, and Abhijit, a former pilot with the Indian Navy who aspired to space entrepreneurship.

In this conversation they explain the challenges and opportunities in creating usable microgravity platforms, detailing Inbound Aerospace’s mission to develop a reusable spacecraft that will carry research projects to low earth orbit and bring experiments back safely to earth.

Abhijit and Vishal give us insights into microgravity’s usefulness in biotech, materials science, and semiconductors, and explain how their vehicle is being designed for efficient re-entry and autonomous landing. The founders also share early milestones, including team building, subsystem testing, and initial funding, and reflect on broader trends and gaps in the Indian space-tech ecosystem.

India’s Ultraviolette Automotive, with its flagship F77 electric performance motorcycle has raised funding from Japan’s TDK. Image courtesy Ultraviolette.

ISRO deems Skyroot’s static test of KALAM 1200 solid motor a success
Skyroot Aerospace successfully completed the first static test of its KALAM 1200 solid motor, the first stage of its Vikram-1 launch vehicle, at ISRO’s Sriharikota facility.

The test marks a significant milestone, validating the 11m-long, 1.7m-diameter monolithic composite motor that carries 30t of propellant. With the motor created in line with India’s Space Policy 2023 to foster private sector growth, this achievement readies Vikram-1 for its maiden flight and boosts India’s space economy.

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NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer moon mission ends after spacecraft lost contact just one day post-launch
NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer satellite, which lost contact just a day after its launch on Feb 26, was officially declared lost on July 31. The satellite was meant to map Lunar water. Initial data suggested that misoriented solar arrays caused battery depletion.

Despite global efforts to reestablish communication, the craft spun slowly into deep space, making recovery impossible. The mission’s loss is a setback for low-cost lunar science, but its technologies may aid future attempts to study the Moon’s water.

Optia and Patero unveil post-quantum-enabled GPU compute platform
Optia and Patero, US startups both, have launched an industry-first GPU compute platform equipped with post-quantum encryption, designed for defense and edge applications, Quatum Insider reports.

The platform integrates Patero’s CryptoQoR post-quantum cryptography with Optia’s high-performance compute hardware, ensuring protection for AI/ML, ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), and tactical edge workloads against both current and future quantum cyber threats.

Stanford scientists advance knowhow that slows neurodegeneration, promising future therapies for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
Stanford University researchers have developed a breakthrough technique to replace damaged brain immune cells (microglia) in mice, dramatically improving lifespan and motor function.

By using a sequence of microglia depletion, targeted brain irradiation, and immune suppression, over 85 percent of brain microglia were successfully replaced by healthy donor cells, with treated mice living up to 250 days versus 135 for controls. The transplanted cells restored critical enzymes to neurons, offering hope for “off the shelf” therapies treating rare genetic disorders and more common neurodegenerative diseases.

Alien meteorite mineral upends the rules of heat conduction with hybrid crystal-glass properties
Columbia University scientists have discovered a rare mineral in a centuries-old meteorite that defies traditional heat conduction rules, exhibiting both crystal and glass traits, SciTechDaily reports.

Uniquely, it maintains constant heat flow across temperature changes, unlike usual materials whose conductivity varies. AI and quantum physics confirmed its hybrid atomic structure and stable thermal properties between 80K and 380K. This discovery could advance heat management tech in electronics, steel production, and aerospace, potentially making processes more efficient and reducing carbon footprints in critical industries.

Self-adaptive electrolytes could transform fast-charging, high-energy batteries
University of Maryland researchers introduced self-adaptive electrolytes that expand their electrochemical stability window as batteries charge, overcoming the key trade-off between fast charging and high energy density, Tech Xplore reports.

Inspired by phase equilibrium theory and the ‘salting-out’ effect, these ternary electrolytes sit at the cloud point and undergo localized phase separation in response to salt concentration gradients created during charging. Tested in zinc-metal and lithium-metal batteries, they achieved exceptional efficiency and improved stability, promising quicker, safer, and longer-lasting batteries for future electric vehicles and devices.

Aira raises €150 million to commercialise clean heat pump technology
Aira, a startup in Sweden, has raised €150 million in equity from existing backers including Altor, Kinnevik, Lingotto, and Temasek to scale up clean heating across Europe, Tech Funding News reports.

The funds will help Aira expand production at its Polish factory, boost growth in Germany, Italy, and the UK, and invest in R&D for innovative heat pumps. With 130 million gas boilers still operating and heating accounting for 10 percent of Europe’s emissions, Aira’s high-efficiency heat pumps aim to replace gas systems, cut costs by 40 percent, and drive rapid decarbonisation.

MIT spinout Strand Therapeutics raises $153 million to develop programmable mRNA therapies
Strand Therapeutics, founded by MIT grads Jake Becraft and Tasuku Kitada, has raised $153 million in Series B funding led by Kinnevik, bringing its total investments to $250 million and valuing the company at $550 million.

The funding will advance their lead candidate, STX-001, a programmable mRNA therapy, engineered to express interleukin-12 in tumours, helping the immune system better target and attack cancer. Early Phase 1 results show strong safety and anti-tumour activity in treatment-resistant cases, promising to advance cancer therapy.

Eyestem Research raises $10 million to advance clinical trials for eye disease therapy
Eyestem Research, in Bengaluru, has raised $10 million in Series B funding led by Raju Barwale and Alkem Laboratories’ Sandeep Singh, Entrackr reports. The funds will help Eyestem complete an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial in India and support US FDA IND application preparations.

Founded in 2015, Eyestem is developing Eyecyte-RPE, a therapy targeting geographic atrophy from dry age-related mac...

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Coming up on Aug. 14

Why are SpaceTech startups working to build various microgravity platforms and solutions catching the attention of investors?
In this exciting field of science and engineering, experts see many possibilities: from drug discovery and better medicines to 3D-printed life-saving organ replacements to ultra-efficient semiconductors.

In my next episode of IndiaTechReport: In Conversation, I catch up with Abhijit Bhutey and Vishal Reddy, co-founders at Inbound Aerospace along with ARAVIND I B, whose idea has become this venture.

Backed by investors including Speciale Invest, and incubated at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, this trio is developing an unmanned automated reusable platform for microgravity experiments in advanced manufacturing.

Another fine example of an attempt to contribute to Aatmanirbhar Bharat in a strategic tech domain, and I’m happy to bring you this conversation ahead of Independence Day. here’s a 2-minute preview.

Manastu Founders Ashtesh Kumar, CTO, and Tushar Jadhav, CEO have raised $3 million to advance green propulsion. Image courtesy the company.

Speciale Invest closes Fund III at Rs 600 crore to double down on deep tech in India
Speciale Invest has closed its third fund at Rs 600 crore, exceeding the Chennai-based early-stage deep-tech VC firm’s initial target, according to multiple media reports. With Fund III, the VC firm will invest Rs 7-10 crore in 18-20 early-stage startups focused on AI, space tech, climate tech, quantum systems, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use strategic tech, with flexibility for larger cheques.

The fund emphasises scaling ‘sovereign-edge’ technologies and globally competitive IP from India, with half set aside for follow-up investments. Ownership stakes are targeted to increase to 15 percent.

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Lavni Ventures launches Rs 200 crore fund to back deep-tech impact startups
Lavni Ventures, in Bengaluru, has announced the first close of its Rs 200 crore deep-tech impact fund to support science-driven startups tackling climate, healthcare, energy, and education challenges, Entrackr reports. The fund will invest Rs 2-8 crore at Seed to Series A stages and Rs 8-15 crore for follow-ons, focusing on scalable solutions and measurable impact.

Lavni’s Fund I portfolio enabled millions of student learning hours, thousands of healthcare interventions, and significant CO₂ savings, according to the report.

Neuralzome Cybernetics raises $2.4 million to advance autonomous robotics tech
Neuralzome Cybernetics, in Bengaluru, has raised $2.4 million in pre-seed funding led by 8X Ventures and others to accelerate its autonomous robotics technology across sectors like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing, Economic Times reports.

Founded in 2023, the startup develops teachable, no-code AI agents, targeting Robot-as-a-Service for labour-intensive markets. Its NeuralPilot platform, integrated with RedPill simulation, drastically reduces robot training time and costs. The new investment will support operations expansion in North America and Europe.

Manastu Space raises $3 million for green propulsion and in-orbit refuelling tech
Manastu Space, in Mumbai, has raised $3 million in an extended Series A round led by the VC firm Capital-A, to advance its green propulsion and in-orbit refuelling tech, the company said in a press release. Existing investors, including Capital 2B and IAN, also participated in this round which marks Capital A’s first space-tech investment, according to the release.

The funding will accelerate the commercial rollout of Manastu’s green propulsion and debris-avoidance systems, and advance in-orbit refuelling technologies. Founded by IIT Bombay alumni, the startup aims to expand its U.S., Europe, and Asia presence, tapping into the growing $40B Indian private space economy.

Colruyt boosts grocery order fulfilment productivity with autonomous mobile robots
Colruyt Group, a large supermarket chain in Europe, partnered with TCS to automate order picking in its Collect & Go centres using autonomous self-driving vehicle (SDV) robots. These robots guide staff, optimise routes, and display items to pick, raising picking productivity by 20 percent and reducing costs. This innovation streamlines warehouse operations, handles rising demand, and sets the foundation for further automation across Colruyt’s distribution network.