India’s dedicated venture capital fund for the space sector is progressing steadily, with investments in select startups expected to commence from the first quarter of FY2027.
Antariksh Fund gains momentum
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Jitendra Singh said the Antariksh Venture Capital Fund, set up to boost India’s emerging spacetech ecosystem, has been operationalised with key institutional mechanisms now in place.
Structure and regulatory milestones
The fund has been established by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited (SVCL) as the investment manager.
It received registration from Securities and Exchange Board of India on October 31, 2025, and achieved its initial closing on November 10, 2025, with a committed corpus of ₹1,005 crore.
Key post-registration formalities have been completed, including the appointment of a custodian, registration with depositories for issuance of Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) units, and the constitution of Screening and Investment Committees.
Startup evaluation underway
The evaluation of spacetech startups is currently underway, with four proposals already at an advanced stage after receiving pre-investment committee approval.
The minister highlighted that, given the nascent nature of India’s spacetech ecosystem, many startups require structured guidance to align with institutional investment processes.
Handholding support for startups
To address this, “handholding support” is being extended to startups to help them streamline data, strengthen documentation, and meet due diligence requirements.
This facilitative approach is aimed at enabling startups to effectively access funding and scale their innovations.
First investments expected soon
Jitendra Singh expressed confidence that, following detailed appraisal, third-party due diligence, and completion of documentation, the first round of funding approvals and disbursements is expected in early FY2027.
Boost to India’s space ecosystem
Reiterating the government’s commitment to building a globally competitive space ecosystem, the minister said the initiative marks a significant step towards strengthening private sector participation, encouraging innovation, and positioning India as a key player in the global space economy.