Today, AWS announced the launch of its first-ever space accelerator program in India—and in the world. The program will support the growth and development of 24 space tech startups.
Interestingly, out of 180 startups that applied to the AWS space accelerator programme, only 24 companies were selected to participate. AWS told AIM that the criteria for selecting the startups were having the most interesting technology ideas, addressing key industry gaps, providing significant value, and being suitable for cloud technology enhancement.
These 24 startups are spread across various cities in India, with representation from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Port Blair, Pune, Roorkee, Suryatola, Thoothukudi, and Visakhapatnam.
The 14-week program, AWS Space Accelerator: India, will provide dedicated technical expertise, specialised AWS training, and mentoring from space domain and technical experts.
The accelerator, supported by T-Hub and Minfy, will allow startups to explore how best to leverage space data and build secure, scalable solutions using AWS technologies in generative AI, machine learning, data analytics, and more. Startups will also gain know-how on go-to-market strategies, fundraising, and business fundamentals.
The program will culminate with a Demo Day event in July/August 2024, during which the startups will present their innovative solutions to leaders from AWS, T-Hub, Minfy, and the space sector. This will provide a platform for the startups to showcase their innovations and gain visibility among key stakeholders and potential investors.
“83% of the companies are in the pre-seed stage. These are early companies and technology innovators. We see that some of the greatest innovations come from these small, agile companies with amazing technology ideas,” said Clint Crosier, director of aerospace and satellite solutions at AWS, in an exclusive interview with AIM at the sideline of AWS Summit, Washington DC, 2024.
Why India?
From 2010 to 2019, the Indian space economy raised a total of $35 million in investments (approximately $5 million per year). India’s space ambitions are soaring to new heights. In 2022, startup funding in the sector grew from $67.2 million in 2021 to $108.52 million, which grew to $300 million in 2023.
In contrast, AI startup investments reached $3.24 billion in 2022. Last year, there were approximately 190 space startups.
Accelerator programmes like that from AWS are set to help ‘accelerate’ India’s space tech ambitions.
“When I looked around the globe and said, where’s the best opportunity for growth right now, where the startup ecosystem is really booming, and where could we make the most difference? It was clear that India was the right place,” said Crosier.
He further added “There are a record number of new Indian space startups forming, there is strong support from the Government of India as evidenced by our MoU with ISRO and IN-SPACe, and India has some of the best educated and proficient talent in the world in the technical areas that encompass space.”
The shortlisted startups, which operate in various space segments such as spacecraft propulsion, orbital and launch vehicles, satellite imagery, geospatial applications, and weather analysis, will receive up to $100,000 cumulatively in AWS credits and support to build and scale their solutions.
The accelerator is a direct result of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreement that AWS signed with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in 2023.
All of these developments come against the backdrop of AWS’s long-term commitment in India, which is expected to reach INR 1,36,500 crores ($16.4 billion) by 2030, alongside planned investment expected to contribute INR 1,97,700 crores ($23.3 billion) to India’s total gross domestic product in the next six years.
The 24 startups selected for the accelerator include:
Advick AgVenture
Based in Ahmedabad, Advick AgVenture was co-founded by Nitesh Tank in 2023. The company brings forth agricultural innovation by leveraging satellite technology and remote sensing to revolutionise farming practices.
Aero2Astro
Based in Chennai, Aero2Astro was founded in 2021 by Ted Solomon. The startup is working towards designing and developing a single stage orbit vehicle with advanced propulsion technology, and also have a private rocket launch platform.
Aeroin SpaceTech
Based in Chennai, Aeroin SpaceTech, was founded in 2022 by MS Ragul. The private aerospace research startup is working on small lift launch vehicles for low earth orbits.
Agnihotri Aerospace
Based in Mangalore, Agnihotri Aerospace was founded in 2022 by Mahabaleshwar Bhat. The startup is focused on building reusable rockets that can land gently, in the process bring down expenses and launch delays.
AkashaLabdhi
Based in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, AkashaLabdhi was founded in 2023 by Siddharth Jena. The startup is working towards making space living sustainable and accessible with expandable habitats ranging from 200 to 700 cubic metres.
Bramhaandco Spacetech
Based in Mumbai, Bramhaandco Spacetech was founded in 2023 by Smitesh More. The startup is working towards enabling lunar exploration and mining through developing SOTA rovers and landers.
Blurgs AI
Based in Bengaluru, Blurgs AI, was founded in 2020 by Roshan Raj along with two other co-founders. The startup uses satellite and aerial-based technologies to transform data intelligence, enabling decision-making in maritime and defense sectors.
CoralComp
Based in Hyderabad, CoralComp was founded in 2017 by Bakthyaruddin Syed and Hafsa Mohsina. The startup provides real-time weather analysis and prediction services to the aerospace industry.
Cosmicport
Based in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, Cosmicport was founded in 2023 by Liwaans Amuthan. The startup is working on transforming space exploration through launch vehicles and sustainable satellites.
Cosmo Crawler
Based in Chennai, Cosmo Crawler, was founded in 2022 by Yoga Raj. The startup is building fully reusable launch vehicles.
Expanse Cosmos
Based in Delhi, Expanse Cosmos was founded in 2020 by Mir Shaz Ali. The startup is building the next generation of launch vehicles for small satellites.
GISKernel Technologies
Based in Pune, GISKernel Technologies was founded in 2018 by Akshay Loya. The geospatial analytics startup looks to cater to companies that require GIS services.
Inbound Aerospace
Based in Chennai, Inbound Aerospace was co-founded in 2023 by Aravind B, and Vishal Reddy. The startup prioritises developing a spacecraft platform that leverages space’s unique microgravity environment for manufacturing groundbreaking products that significantly enhance and benefit life on Earth.
Insight360.ai
Based in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Insight360.ai was founded in 2023. The startup specialises in creating AI solutions that are customised for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
KosmosOne
Based in Gondia, Maharashtra, KosmosOne was founded by Atharva Barbudhe in 2022. The startup is working on developing the world’s first autonomous space station that will be equipped with robotic arms, AI-powered operations and reusable re-entry vehicle.
Omspace Rocket and Exploration
Based in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Omspace Rocket and Exploration, was founded by Ravindra Raj in 2020. The startup is building a rocket named Infinity, that will be capable of launching nano and small satellites to lower earth orbit.
Onnes Cryogenics
Based in Hyderabad, Onnes Cryogenics was founded in 2021 by Ram K Aluru. The startup is working towards being a world leader in cryogenic technologies, and is building a range of cryogenic products for space, military, defence and commercial industries.
Pramatra Space
Based in Bengaluru, Pramatra Space was founded in 2022 by Richa Hukumchand. The startup is building satellites to distribute quantum keys to enterprises.
Satlabs Space Systems
Based in Bengaluru, Satlabs Space Systems was founded in 2023 by Saisree Eega, and Sooraj Gopakumar, The startup provides a data relay satellite constellation to facilitate network access for machines both on Earth and in space. They facilitate dependable and secure data transmission.
Sisir Radar
Based in Kolkata, Sisir Radar was founded in 2022 by Tapan Misra, Soumya Misra, and Urmi Bhambani. The startup owns the world’s highest-resolution L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and is creating India’s first drone-borne SAR.
Space Aura
Based in Mumbai, Space Aura was founded in 2017 by Aakash Porwal. The startup looks to facilitate space tourism, building a Spaceship SKAP1 for tourists to travel to space.
SpanTrik
Based in Hyderabad, SpanTrik was founded in 2022 by Kajal Rajbhar and Hitendra Singh. The startup offers space launch services to make space exploration accessible and affordable to all.
Taramandal
Based in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Taramandal was co-founded in 2023 by Vineel Judson, D. Rajesh, M. Gautam, Neelakantasevara Reddy, and Rama Jaya Lakshmi. The startup concentrates on advancing cutting-edge critical space technologies related to sensors, controllers, and actuation systems, intended for adoption by a diverse range of manufacturers.
Thrustworks Dynetics
Based in Pune, Maharashtra, Thrustworks Dynetics was founded in 2023 by Manan Joshi, Vinith Shenoy, and Kalyani Shinde. The startup works on designing and developing propulsion systems.
