India’s first space tech unicorn emerges as Skyroot gears up for orbital launch

The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits SF on April 30. Tickets are going fast. Register now. Buy one Disrupt pass, and get the second at 50% off. Ends May 8. Register now. TechCrunch Desktop Logo TechCrunch Mobile Logo LatestStartupsVentureAppleSecurityAIApps EventsPodcastsNewsletters SearchSubmit Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest India’s first space tech unicorn emerges as Skyroot gears up for orbital launch Jagmeet Singh 7:28 AM PDT · May 7, 2026 Skyroot Aerospace has become India’s first space tech unicorn after raising $60 million in a new investment ahead of the maiden orbital launch of its Vikram-1 rocket in the coming weeks. The funding round valued the Hyderabad-based startup at $1.1 billion on a pre-money basis and included about $50 million in primary equity co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and GIC, along with around $10 million in structured debt managed by funds affiliated with BlackRock, the company told TechCrunch. The investment comes as Skyroot prepares for the first orbital launch attempt by an Indian private company. The Vikram-1 rocket was flagged off to India’s spaceport on the southern island of Sriharikota in April, and the startup is targeting a June launch after completing flight qualification tests and beginning integration and launch campaign activities. Founded in 2018 by former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot is building small satellite launch rockets broadly comparable to those developed by U.S.-based companies such as Rocket Lab and Firefly Aerospace, with Vikram-1 designed to carry payloads of up to 350 kilograms (around 772 pounds) into low Earth orbit. Skyroot’s latest valuation more than doubles from the $500 million pre-money valuation it secured during its previous funding round in 2023, as global investors increase bets on India’s emerging private space sector. The round drew participation from Playbook Partners, Arkam Ventures, and the founders of Greenko Group. Ram Shriram, founder of Sherpalo Ventures and a board member at Alphabet, will join Skyroot’s board. Skyroot declined to disclose revenue figures or customer backlog details, but said demand for dedicated launches for small satellite operators was strong, with about one-third of expected demand coming from India and the rest from international customers. Skyroot first drew attention in November 2022 after launching Vikram-S, a suborbital rocket mission that marked India’s first privately developed rocket launch. The new capital, Skyroot said, would be used to scale manufacturing, increase the launch cadence of Vikram-1 missions, and support development of Vikram-2, a heavier-lift launch vehicle expected to debut in 2027. Vikram-2 is being designed as a one-ton-class launch vehicle powered by a cryogenic stage, expanding Skyroot’s ability to serve more complex satellite missions and compete in the growing global market for small satellite launches. Skyroot’s rise comes as India pushes to expand its share of the global space economy by opening the sector to private companies and leveraging lower manufacturing and launch costs to compete globally. India’s space economy is estimated at $8.4 billion and projected to grow to $44 billion by 2033, while the country had nearly 400 space-tech startups as of early 2026, according to government estimates. The startup’s upcoming Vikram-1 mission comes as India seeks to build additional commercial launch capacity alongside the state-run ISRO, which has faced setbacks in recent missions, including two consecutive launch failures. Reforms introduced since 2020 have allowed private firms to access ISRO facilities and participate in end-to-end space activities, helping spur the emergence of startups across launch systems, satellites, and propulsion technologies. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Jagmeet Singh Reporter Jagmeet covers startups, tech policy-related updates, and all other major tech-centric developments from India for TechCrunch. He previously worked as a principal correspondent at NDTV. You can contact or verify outreach from Jagmeet by emailing mail@journalistjagmeet.com. View Bio May 27 Athens, Greece StrictlyVC Athens is up next. Hear unfiltered insights straight from Europe’s tech leaders and connect with the people shaping what’s ahead. Lock in your spot before it’s gone. 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