Hyderabad Startup Lands 5M To Build Indias First Orbital Data Centre

TakeMe2Space, a Hyderabad-based space tech startup, has secured $5 million in seed funding to build India’s first orbital data centre infrastructure. The round was led by Chiratae Ventures, with participation from Unicorn India Ventures, Artha Venture Fund, and Seafund. This investment will enable the company to expand its satellite constellation, scale in-orbit AI computing capabilities, and advance research on high-power compute satellites.

Founded in 2024, TakeMe2Space is working towards a ambitious goal of making space-based computing accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or background. The company’s vision is to create an orbital platform that allows customers to run AI models directly in space, with the ultimate aim of building India’s first orbital data centre.

The funding round will be used to accelerate the development of TakeMe2Space’s satellite constellation, which aims to provide near-real-time AI inferencing for Earth observation users. The company plans to deploy six satellites to support its OrbitLab platform, which offers a range of services including satellite-based imagery, weather forecasting, and disaster management.

One of the key features of TakeMe2Space’s approach is its use of optical links to communicate between satellites. This technology enables the satellites to communicate with each other in real-time, allowing for seamless data transfer and processing. The company believes that this is a critical step towards building India’s first orbital data centre, which will enable customers to run AI models directly in space.

The company has already made significant progress in its development plans, with the successful testing of its MOI-TD (My Orbital Infrastructure – Technology Demonstrator) satellite aboard ISRO’s SpaDeX mission in December 2024. The test demonstrated the ability to upload large AI models to a satellite, run external code, and downlink encrypted results.

TakeMe2Space’s CEO, Ronak Kumar Samantray, expressed his excitement about the upcoming launch of MOI-1, the company’s first major orbital satellite. Scheduled for launch on January 12 this year, MOI-1 will feature the MIRA space telescope and aim to serve as a functional ‘AI lab in space’ for approximately 15 customers.

The MOI-2 satellite, which is scheduled to launch later this year, will replicate the success of MOI-1, increasing the company’s total in-orbit compute capacity to 200 watts. The forthcoming AaduSat mission will demonstrate propulsion systems for orbit maintenance and validate optical satellite links. The satellite will also test silicon-based solar cells in orbit, rather than traditional GaAs cells typically used in space for concentrated solar power.

The company plans to expand its team from 17 employees to around 50-60 across engineering and sales roles. Samantray emphasized the importance of team expansion in supporting the company’s growth plans. “We need to grow our team to support our customers and expand our services,” he said.

TakeMe2Space has established partnerships with ground station and assembly partners, which will enable the company to scale its operations and accelerate adoption. The funding round will also strengthen ties between India, the United States, and Australia, three key markets for the company’s services.

The investment in TakeMe2Space is a testament to the startup’s innovative approach to space-based computing. Ranjith Menon, managing director at Chiratae Ventures, said that the firm sees strong potential in the company’s vision. “TakeMe2Space is rethinking access to orbit by turning satellites into shared infrastructure,” he said, adding that the team’s execution ability drove the investment decision.

The capital will enable TakeMe2Space to deepen its presence in India, the United States, and Australia, as well as strengthen its ties with customers, partners, and ground station providers. The company is poised to make a significant impact in the space-based computing market, with its innovative approach and ambitious plans for growth.

Samantray’s vision of making space-based computing accessible to everyone has sparked excitement among industry experts and researchers. “Our goal is to ensure that everybody’s ideas can be taken to space,” he said. “You don’t have to be at NASA, ISRO, or an IIT to run an experiment in space. Sitting in Kerala, Delhi, or even Antarctica, you should be able to operate a satellite.” With the support of its investors and the progress made so far, TakeMe2Space is well on its way to achieving this goal.

The development of India’s first orbital data centre has the potential to transform the country’s space industry and create new opportunities for businesses, researchers, and innovators. As TakeMe2Space continues to push the boundaries of space-based computing, it is clear that the company will play a significant role in shaping India’s future in this rapidly evolving field.

The investment in TakeMe2Space also reflects the Indian government’s commitment to promoting its space industry. The government has been actively supporting the development of space technology through initiatives such as ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Programme and the ISRO’s ambitious plans for lunar exploration.

With TakeMe2Space at the forefront, India is poised to emerge as a major player in the global space industry. The company’s innovative approach, combined with its ambition to make space-based computing accessible to everyone, makes it an exciting development in this rapidly evolving field.