1. Skyroot Aerospace
Location: India
News:
Founded by Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, the firm raised $60M round to become India’s first space-tech unicorn at a $1.1B valuation.Developing the Vikram orbital launch vehicles with 3D-printed engines and carbon-composite structures, backed by GIC, Sherpalo Ventures, and BlackRock.
Why It’s Interesting:
- Backed by global institutions like GIC and BlackRock, the funding fuels the scale-up of the Vikram-1 rocket’s launch frequency. Developing Vikram-2, a next-gen vehicle designed to carry one-tonne payloads, solidifying India’s position in the global commercial space-tech market.
Potential:
- Scaling manufacturing to become a premier global satellite launch provider. Uses proprietary technology for cost-effective missions, driving India’s leadership in the global space economy.
2. Ctruh
Location: India
News:
Founded by Vinay Agastya, the startup raised $2.5M led by Inflection Point Ventures and Avinya Ventures. Provides browser-native 3D/XR infrastructure, enabling immersive environments to run on any device without high-end hardware or app installs.
Why It’s Interesting:
- Its VersaAI and Commverse Studio tools use generative AI to transform text and images into functional 3D assets. Offers no-code deployment for immersive XR experiences in e-commerce and healthcare, removing the need for deep technical expertise.
Potential:
- Expanding into US and UAE markets to serve as a foundational layer for browser-based immersive internet. Lowers barriers to spatial computing by simplifying 3D content creation, positioning India as a leader in deep-tech XR innovation.
3. Fulltrack AI
Location: Australia / USA / India
News:
Founded by Arjun Verma, the startup launched an AI-powered DRS system for grassroots Australian club cricket. Uses 2D ball detection and physics-based modeling to reconstruct 3D trajectories, bringing professional-grade analytics to local sports.
Why It’s Interesting:
- Born from Harvard and MIT collaborations, the platform is democratizing elite sports tech for amateur clubs and Darwin’s cricket officials. Combines computer vision with physics simulations to provide professional-grade officiating and performance analytics at a fraction of traditional costs.
Potential:
- Scaling across global grassroots and semi-professional cricket to provide affordable AI-driven officiating infrastructure. Serves as a foundational layer for sports analytics, highlighting the leadership of Indian-origin founders in the global sports-tech market.