Spacetech

XDLINX Space Labs Raises $7 Million in Seed Funding to Accelerate Innovation in Space Tech

• ByStartupStory     |    October 8, 2024

Hyderabad-based spacetech firm, XDLINX Space Labs, has secured $7 million in a seed funding round led by Ashish Kacholia of Lucky Investments, with participation from E2MC, Mana Ventures, and an undisclosed family office. This funding marks a significant milestone for the company, which plans to channel the investment into manufacturing next-generation payloads for defence and commercial space missions.

The firm, founded in 2022, will focus on projects that include E-band communications, optical and RF intelligence, and satellite bus platform operationalisation. With this financial backing, XDLINX Space Labs also aims to enhance its global footprint by expanding operations in the United States and the United Kingdom.

In a statement, Rupesh Gandupalli, Co-founder and CEO of XDLINX Space Labs, highlighted the company’s mission: “We envision a future where space becomes more accessible by building cost-effective satellites using 75% indigenous subsystems. We look forward to contributing to India’s growing role in the global space race.”

The company’s recent accomplishments include the successful development and launch of JANUS-1, a software-defined 6U nanosatellite, which was created in just 10 months and demonstrated multi-tenancy payload capabilities. The satellite was launched aboard ISRO’s SSLV-D2 rocket on February 10, 2023, positioning XDLINX Space Labs as a key player in the rapidly growing space economy.

Looking ahead, XDLINX is preparing for the launch of its next major mission, Elevation-1, which will feature a miniaturised, space-grade E-band payload. This payload is set to be launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission. The firm is also developing a 150 kg class satellite equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and multi-spectral optical sensors using its XDSAT-M600 platform. The satellite is scheduled for launch in Q3 2025.

The funding comes at a time when India’s space sector is witnessing heightened interest and investment. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been actively supporting the growth of startups, while the government recently announced a Rs 1,000 crore venture capital fund aimed at bolstering the country’s burgeoning space economy.

XDLINX Space Labs is not alone in this growing sector. Fellow spacetech company, GalaxEye Space, which develops multi-sensor imaging satellites combining optical and radar technologies for continuous, all-weather Earth observation, recently raised $6.5 million in a Series A funding round, further underscoring the momentum within the industry.

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