Skyroot Aerospace Becomes India’s First Spacetech Unicorn After Raising 60 Million Dollars

May 7, 2026

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India’s Private Space Sector Hits A New Milestone

Hyderabad based Skyroot Aerospace has become India’s first spacetech unicorn after raising nearly 60 million dollars in a fresh funding round that valued the company at 1.1 billion dollars.

The round was co led by Sherpalo Ventures and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, with participation from BlackRock, Playbook Partners, Arkam Ventures, and the Shanghvi Family Office.

The milestone makes Skyroot the fourth Indian startup to enter the unicorn club in 2026.

What Skyroot Aerospace Is Building

Founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, the company is developing the Vikram series of launch vehicles focused on dedicated satellite launch services.

Skyroot gained national attention in 2022 after launching Vikram S, the first privately built Indian rocket to successfully reach space.

The company is now preparing for the launch of Vikram 1, which is expected to become India’s first private orbital rocket mission.

Why This Funding Matters

The latest investment highlights growing global confidence in India’s emerging private space ecosystem.

As satellite deployments increase worldwide, demand for affordable and reliable launch infrastructure is also rising rapidly. Skyroot is positioning itself as a cost efficient launch partner for commercial satellite operators globally.

The funding will help the company expand manufacturing capabilities, increase launch frequency for Vikram 1, and accelerate development of Vikram 2, a heavier rocket powered by a cryogenic stage.

Technology Behind Vikram 1

Vikram 1 is designed to carry satellites weighing up to 350 kilograms into low Earth orbit.

The rocket uses lightweight carbon composite structures along with propulsion systems developed internally by the company. Skyroot has also developed 3D printed rocket engines as part of its manufacturing approach.

The startup builds its rocket structures and propulsion systems from its Max Q and Infinity campuses in Hyderabad.

Global Investors Bet On India’s Space Future

As part of the funding round, Silicon Valley investor Ram Shriram will join Skyroot’s board.

Shriram, known for backing Google in its early years, said access to space remains one of the world’s major infrastructure challenges and described Skyroot as one of the strongest cost to performance players in the orbital launch market.

With this round, Skyroot Aerospace has raised nearly 160 million dollars to date from investors including GIC and Temasek.