In a major milestone for India’s space industry, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) and SIDBI Venture Capital Ltd (SVCL) have come together to operationalize a ₹1,000 crore venture capital fund aimed at accelerating growth in the Indian space technology sector. The agreement was formally signed in Ahmedabad on November 11, 2025, marking a new chapter in India’s journey toward a vibrant, innovation-driven private space ecosystem.

The signing ceremony saw the participation of Lochan Sehra, Joint Secretary of IN-SPACe, and Arup Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of SVCL, who represented their respective organizations. The initiative follows SEBI’s approval of the fund on October 31, 2025, and underscores the government’s long-term vision of building a globally competitive space economy through private participation and innovation.

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This landmark fund aims to empower startups engaged in launch technologies, satellite manufacturing, payload systems, in-space services, and earth observation platforms. It will provide critical early-stage and growth capital to entrepreneurs working on cutting-edge solutions that contribute to India’s expanding space capability.

Approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2024, the fund was later entrusted to SIDBI in March 2025 for management. The strategic partnership between IN-SPACe and SVCL ensures that funding reaches deserving startups capable of bridging the gap between research, development, and commercialization. The initiative represents a transformative step toward positioning India as a global leader in space innovation.

The venture capital fund stands as a symbol of India’s commitment to fostering private investment in the space economy. With ISRO paving the way through decades of pioneering achievements, IN-SPACe’s role now focuses on enabling private participation, offering regulatory support, and providing technical assistance.

Through this collaboration, IN-SPACe and SVCL will nurture ventures that develop cost-effective launch vehicles, communication systems, and downstream applications that leverage satellite data for sectors such as agriculture, climate monitoring, defense, and telecommunications. The fund is expected to serve as a critical enabler for space entrepreneurs striving to turn bold ideas into scalable businesses.

India’s space industry, valued at around $8 billion, is poised for exponential growth and could reach $40 billion by 2040. The launch of this venture capital fund aligns with the nation’s ambition to capture a significant share of the global space market. By investing in research, technology, and commercialization, the initiative ensures that Indian startups can compete globally while addressing the country’s unique challenges in communication, navigation, and remote sensing.

The collaboration between IN-SPACe and SVCL is also expected to generate significant employment and skill development opportunities. As startups expand, the demand for engineers, scientists, and technical professionals will grow, driving innovation-led job creation across the country.

This initiative marks a defining moment for the country’s emerging space entrepreneurs. The fund will not only offer financial backing but also mentorship, technical guidance, and access to infrastructure—elements essential for transforming innovative concepts into market-ready solutions. It reflects India’s broader goal of achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliance, in high-technology sectors.

The operationalization of the ₹1,000 crore IN-SPACe-SVCL fund is a bold step toward shaping the next generation of space enterprises. It signals a new era where public institutions and private innovation converge to propel India toward becoming a global hub for space technology.