Bengaluru-based spacetech startup OXG Space has raised ₹17 crore in a funding round led by Aum Ventures through its India Innovation Fund II. The round also saw participation from Skyroot Aerospace co-founders Pawan Kumar Chandana and Bharath Daka, along with Cosmoserve founder Dr Chiran Phanindra. Founded by former ISRO engineers Akash Shetty and Sanjay Gorur, the company is building an orbital network that combines satellite connectivity with in-orbit computing to deliver Earth observation intelligence in near real time.
Investor Participation and Strategic Fit
Aum Ventures led the investment through India Innovation Fund II, with participation from established spacetech founders. Chetan Mehta, founding partner at Aum Ventures, said OXG Space represents an important layer of India's space stack and a clear fit with the firm's thesis of backing innovation-led Indian companies built to win globally. The involvement of Skyroot Aerospace co-founders and the founder of Cosmoserve adds strategic depth to the round.
The Data Delay Problem in Earth Observation
Earth observation satellites currently store imagery until they pass over a ground station, resulting in a delay of 4 to 12 hours between observation and insight. OXG Space notes that satellites can remain out of contact for roughly 74% of each day, while up to 90% of collected data can be unusable. The startup's proposed network uses shared nodes in orbit to maintain connectivity with customer satellites and combine data from multiple satellites before it reaches the ground.
Mission Synapse and In-Orbit Demonstrations
The fresh capital will support Mission Synapse, a 12-month program to demonstrate the company's core technologies in orbit. The mission will focus on validating systems that enable faster satellite connectivity and in-orbit data processing for Earth observation customers. It represents a key step toward commercial deployment of OXG Space's orbital network and could establish technical proof for the startup's approach.
Core Technology and Performance Targets
The demonstration includes a Ka-band phased-array antenna targeting an initial link capacity of 1 Gbps, with a roadmap to 64 Gbps per spacecraft. A deployable mesh reflector will support ground connectivity, while a deployable solar array will power computing and communications payloads. These components are designed to work together to process and move data more efficiently in orbit.
Target Applications and Market Focus
OXG Space is targeting applications in Earth observation, defense, and intelligence, where faster access to processed information can support surveillance and coordination across optical, radar, and signals-intelligence systems. The company aims to serve commercial satellite operators that need near real time data processing and delivery. By reducing transmission delays and enabling in-orbit analysis, OXG Space can help operators increase the value and speed of their collected data.
Founding Team and Strategic Momentum
OXG Space was founded by former ISRO engineers Akash Shetty and Sanjay Gorur, who bring over 17 years of combined experience across India's space programs. Their background includes spacecraft systems work for Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3, adding technical credibility to the startup's orbital network ambitions. The company's approach positions it as an infrastructure layer between satellite operators and the fast-growing market for geospatial intelligence.
With this ₹17 crore funding round, OXG Space moves from development to an in-orbit demonstration phase that could validate its connectivity and computing model. The support from Aum Ventures and established spacetech founders highlights growing investor interest in India's private space sector. As Mission Synapse progresses, OXG Space will aim to prove that orbital data processing can reduce delays, increase data utility, and unlock faster decision making for defense and commercial customers.