AiBotBengaluru, India – As India’s private space sector continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, a relatively new entrant has caught much attention: Skyroot Aerospace. Founded by a team of young alumni from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the Hyderabad-based start-up made headlines last year with its first test launch of a privately developed rocket, Vikram.
However, the name ‘Skyroot Aerospace’ has piqued the curiosity of many. Critics argue that India’s space industry should prioritize names with local roots, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage. Skyroot, while an unusual name, has been explained by the company as a tribute to the mythological concept of ‘Swarga,’ or heavenly realms. Founder Naga Bharathula notes that the name represents the team’s vision of reaching for the infinite skies.
Another point of discussion surrounding the relatively small but rapidly expanding company is its size. With a workforce of barely 100 employees, Skyroot Aerospace is dwarfed by the massive Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which boasts a staggering 16,000 personnel. Critics see this as a sign of the start-up’s vulnerability in the cutthroat space industry. Yet, Naga Bharathula and his team appear to be unfazed by the skepticism.
‘Sizes don’t matter in innovation,’ says the 25-year-old founder, who has a strong background in aerospace engineering. ‘We have leveraged cutting-edge technologies to develop our products at a fraction of the cost and resources required by larger players. The fact that we have been able to achieve success in such a short span is a testament to the agility and flexibility that only start-ups can offer.’
Skyroot Aerospace has indeed made impressive strides in recent years. After successfully testing its Vikram rocket in 2021, the company secured $179 million in funding from marquee investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners and KST Star. With these funds, the team plans to propel its ambitious plans forward, including launching commercial satellite services and even space tourism ventures.
While detractors continue to question the company’s local roots, there is little denying Skyroot Aerospace’s commitment to putting India on the global space map. As other private Indian companies like Bharti Enterprises and Reliance Industry enter the fray, it remains to be seen whether these players will be able to compete with the up-and-coming start-up. However, with its impressive track record, Skyroot Aerospace is firmly cementing its place among the ranks of India’s most promising space companies. As Naga Bharathula so succinctly puts it, ‘The sky is not the limit – it’s just the beginning.’