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OrbitAID Secures $1.5 Million Pre-Seed Funding Led by Unicorn India Ventures

Two men in formal attire are featured in front of a dark background showing Earth from space. The text 'OrbitAID: Fueling the future' is displayed above them, with a stylized orbit symbol encircling the letter 'O.
By
Anurag Trivedi
2 min read

OrbitAID, a Chennai-based spacetech startup founded in 2021 by Sakthikumar R, Nikhil Balasubramanian, and Mano Balaji K, has successfully raised $1.5 million in a pre-seed funding round. The investment was led by Unicorn India Ventures, with participation from TANSIM (Government of Tamil Nadu).

Funding Details:

  • Amount Raised: $1.5 million
  • Lead Investor: Unicorn India Ventures
  • Participating Investor: TANSIM (Government of Tamil Nadu)

OrbitAID plans to allocate the newly acquired funds towards:

  • In-Space Demonstrations: Conducting tests of docking and refueling operations in space.
  • Facility Expansion: Enhancing infrastructure to support on-orbit servicing operations.
  • Advancement of SIDRP: Bringing the Standard Interface Docking and Refueling Port to commercial readiness.
  • Team Expansion: Scaling team capabilities to support growth and development.

OrbitAID has recently achieved significant progress, including:

  • SIDRP Testing: Successful testing of its patented SIDRP on a zero-gravity flight in Florida.
  • Technology Readiness Level: Attaining Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 for docking and refueling tests over the past 12 months.

About OrbitAID:

Founded in 2021, OrbitAID focuses on advancing sustainable space operations through innovative on-orbit refueling solutions. The company is actively developing a network of fuel stations in space, strategically positioned in various orbits, to support satellite longevity and efficiency.

About Unicorn India Ventures:

Unicorn India Ventures is a venture capital firm that partners with industrious and visionary entrepreneurs pioneering innovations across sectors. The firm's team possesses extensive investment, entrepreneurial, and operational expertise, enabling them to support the builders of tomorrow in exploring uncharted territories.

Our Opinion on the News:

OrbitAID's successful pre-seed funding round signifies a promising advancement in India's spacetech sector. The company's focus on on-orbit refueling solutions addresses a critical need for sustainable space operations, potentially reducing costs and extending the lifespan of satellites. With the backing of prominent investors like Unicorn India Ventures and support from the Tamil Nadu government, OrbitAID is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the global space industry.