Indian spacetech startup InspeCity has raised Rs. 100 crore in a pre-Series A funding round, giving a strong push to its plan of building “service stations” for satellites in space.

The round was led by Speciale Invest and investor Ashish Kacholia. Antler Elevate, Antler India, Manish Gandhi, Shastra VC and others also joined the round.

This is an important moment for India’s private space sector because InspeCity is not building rockets or satellites in the usual way. It is working on something more specialized which is that helping satellites live longer, move better, and safely exit orbit when their job is done.

What InspeCity does

InspeCity is building technology for in-space servicing. In simple words, it wants to help satellites after they are already in orbit.

Today, if a satellite runs out of fuel, faces a technical issue, or reaches the end of its life, there are limited options. Many satellites become useless even when some parts are still working. Some also add to the growing problem of space debris.

InspeCity wants to change that with systems that can inspect, approach, dock with, refuel, repair, or safely remove satellites from orbit. Think of it like roadside assistance, but for spacecraft.

Founder and founding year

InspeCity was founded in 2022 by Arindrajit Chowdhury and Tausif Shaikh.

Arindrajit Chowdhury is a professor at IIT Bombay and serves as the founder and CEO of the company. Tausif Shaikh is also linked to IIT Bombay. The startup has been incubated in the IIT Bombay ecosystem and is based in Maharashtra.

Purpose of the Rs. 100 crore funding

The fresh funding will mainly be used to move InspeCity from testing individual technologies to proving them in real space missions.

The company plans to carry out four in-orbit missions over the next 12 to 18 months. These missions will help test important capabilities such as propulsion, sensing, autonomous movement, robotics, docking, and refuelling.

InspeCity is also expected to expand its engineering and manufacturing teams. It will work on commercializing its propulsion systems and other space-service offerings for satellite operators.

Its key platform is called VEDA, short for Vehicle for Life Extension and Deorbiting Activities. The company is also working on systems such as GITA for propulsion, CHAKSU for sensing and navigation, RAMA for robotic work, and SPARSH for docking and fuel transfer.

Why this matters

Satellites are expensive. They support communication, defence, internet, weather tracking, navigation, banking, agriculture, and disaster response. If a satellite can work for a few extra years through servicing or refuelling, the operator can save money and reduce waste in orbit.

There is also a safety angle. Old satellites and broken parts can collide with working satellites. A company that can help remove or manage such objects may become valuable as space becomes more crowded.

Competitors and market space

Globally, companies such as Astroscale, Starfish Space, Orbit Fab, and Northrop Grumman are working on satellite servicing, debris removal, refuelling, and life-extension technologies.

In India, InspeCity is part of a growing spacetech wave that includes companies working on rockets, satellites, propulsion, imaging, and space infrastructure. Its focus on in-orbit servicing makes it different from many startups that are mainly building launch vehicles or satellite platforms.

Conclusion – Key takeaways

InspeCity’s Rs. 100 crore pre-Series A round shows that investors are taking India’s deep-tech space startups more seriously.

The startup’s aim is clear: make satellites more useful after launch and reduce the problem of space debris. The funding will help it run four space missions, strengthen its team, and bring its servicing technology closer to commercial use.

If InspeCity can prove its systems in orbit, it could become an important Indian company in the future space economy.

Facts Input- YS, Entrepreneur, MC

Atomberg has taken another serious step towards the stock market. The D2C consumer appliance brand has received board approval to raise up to Rs. 450 crore through an initial public offering.

The approval was passed at an extraordinary general meeting held on August 12, 2026, according to Indian Retailer. The IPO is expected to include a fresh issue of shares and an offer for sale by existing shareholders. The final launch will still depend on market conditions and approvals from SEBI.

Along with the IPO plan, Atomberg’s board has also approved a pre-IPO fundraise of up to Rs. 90 crore. This means the company may raise some money before the public issue. If that happens, the IPO’s fresh issue size may be reduced accordingly, as per applicable rules.

What Atomberg does

Atomberg is a Mumbai-based consumer appliance startup best known for its energy-efficient BLDC fans.

BLDC means brushless direct current. In simple terms, it is a motor technology that helps fans use less electricity while still giving strong air delivery. For Indian homes, where fans run for many hours in a day, this saving can matter.

The company started with fans, but it is no longer only a fan brand. Atomberg now sells mixer grinders, water purifiers, smart locks, juicers and other home appliances. Still, fans continue to remain its most important product category.

Who founded Atomberg

Atomberg was founded in 2012 by IIT Bombay alumni Manoj Meena and Sibabrata Das, also known as Shibam Das.

The company first focused on business-to-business sales of energy-efficient fans. It later entered the consumer market in 2016 and grew through online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, its own website, and offline retail stores.

In 2026, the founders also reshaped their roles. Manoj Meena became chairman and managing director, while Shibam Das became chief executive officer. This kind of leadership restructuring is common when companies prepare for a larger public-market journey.

Why the IPO matters

The Rs. 450 crore IPO plan is important because it shows Atomberg is getting ready for the next stage of growth.

An IPO can help the company raise capital, improve brand visibility and give some early investors a partial exit through the offer-for-sale route. For Atomberg, the timing is also interesting because Indian consumers are spending more on better home appliances, especially products that save power and look modern.

The approved Rs. 90 crore pre-IPO placement is also worth watching. A pre-IPO round is usually used to bring in selected investors before the public issue. It can help a company strengthen its balance sheet and test investor interest before going to the wider market.

What makes Atomberg unique

Atomberg’s biggest difference is that it did not enter the appliance market only with branding. It entered with technology.

A ceiling fan is a very common product. Most people do not think deeply before buying one. Atomberg changed that conversation by making electricity saving a central selling point.

For example, a family using three or four fans for long hours during summer may not notice the saving in one day. But over a full year, lower power use can reduce electricity bills. This is a practical benefit, and it helped Atomberg build trust.

The brand also added features like remote controls, sleep mode, timer settings and smart controls. These features made a regular fan feel more modern without making it difficult to use.

Atomberg’s growth has also been helped by its digital-first approach. It used ecommerce platforms well before expanding offline. That gave the brand visibility among younger buyers and urban households.

Atomberg’s funding and investors

Atomberg has raised about $126.5 million so far. Its investors include Inflexor Ventures, Trifecta Capital Advisors, Steadview Capital, Temasek Holdings and Jungle Ventures, among others.

Earlier reports have also said that Atomberg raised Rs. 212 crore in a Series C extension led by Temasek. The company has used past funding to expand manufacturing, build new product lines, grow offline distribution and strengthen research and development.

Its investor list is important because public-market investors often look at who has backed a company before IPO. Strong private investors do not guarantee success, but they do show that the company has already passed several rounds of business checks.

Financial picture

Atomberg has been growing, but it is still working towards stronger profitability.

According to Entrackr, Atomberg’s revenue from operations rose to Rs. 958.4 crore in FY25 from Rs. 796.9 crore in FY24. Its net loss narrowed to Rs. 117.4 crore in FY25 from Rs. 199 crore in FY24.

That is a useful signal. Public investors usually like growth, but they also want to see losses coming down. Atomberg’s IPO story will likely be judged on whether it can keep growing while improving margins.

Competitors Atomberg faces

Atomberg competes in a tough market. Its rivals include Havells, Crompton, Orient Electric, Usha, Bajaj Electricals and V-Guard.

These companies already have strong dealer networks, service teams and years of consumer trust. Atomberg’s challenge is to keep its technology-led brand image while matching the reach and service strength of older players.

It also competes with newer digital-first appliance brands that sell through marketplaces, quick-commerce channels and direct websites.

Why consumers care

Atomberg’s appeal is easy to understand. It sells products that promise lower power use, better design and convenient features.

A new homeowner may like the stylish look. A family may care about electricity savings. A tech-friendly buyer may choose smart features. A practical buyer may simply want a fan that performs well and does not feel outdated.

This mix has helped Atomberg turn a low-interest category into a more active buying decision.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Atomberg’s Rs. 450 crore IPO approval is an important milestone for the startup. The company has moved from a research-led fan maker to a broader consumer appliance brand with public-market ambitions.

Its real strength lies in making everyday products feel smarter and more efficient. But the IPO journey will also bring tougher questions around profitability, competition, service quality and long-term growth.

Key takeaways –

• Atomberg’s board has approved a plan to raise up to Rs. 450 crore through an IPO.
• The company has also cleared a pre-IPO fundraise of up to Rs. 90 crore.
• Atomberg was founded in 2012 by Manoj Meena and Sibabrata Das.
• The brand is best known for energy-efficient BLDC fans and has expanded into other home appliances.
• Its competitors include Havells, Crompton, Orient Electric, Usha, Bajaj Electricals and V-Guard.