• InspeCity raised $5.6M in seed funding led by Ashish Kacholia and top VCs to advance satellite life-extension and in-space servicing.
  • The startup is developing the VEDA platform, targeting the $14B ISAM market and planning a demo mission in 2027.
  • InspeCity is also partnering for space debris removal and aims to offer cost-effective, sustainable solutions globally.

Mumbai-based spacetech startup InspeCity has secured $5.6 million (about Rs 46 crore) in a seed funding round led by Ashish Kacholia, with participation from Speciale Invest, Shastra VC, Antler India, DeVC, MGF-Kavachh, and Anicut Capital.

This fresh capital will fuel the company’s R&D and scale-up efforts as it develops vertically integrated solutions for satellite life-extension, propulsion, and in-space servicing.

Founded by IIT Bombay professor Arindrajit Chowdhury, InspeCity is building ISAM (in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing) technologies, including its flagship VEDA (Vehicle for Life Extension and De-orbiting Activities) platform.

VEDA aims to extend satellite lifespans, support de-orbiting, and enable autonomous servicing through advanced propulsion, robotics, rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) capabilities. The company plans a demonstration mission for VEDA in 2027.

InspeCity’s approach is to offer cost-effective, fully integrated ISAM solutions, positioning itself as a strong contender in the $14 billion global ISAM market projected by 2030.

The startup has also signed an MoU with Japan’s Orbital Lasers to explore laser-based space debris removal, broadening its service offerings and addressing sustainability in orbit.

While the U.S. and Europe remain key markets, InspeCity is eyeing emerging opportunities in Southeast and West Asia.

The company’s lower development costs and focus on orbital sustainability give it a competitive edge against global players, especially as ISAM technologies remain in early stages of adoption worldwide.

With this funding, InspeCity aims to accelerate technology qualification, expand its engineering team, and move closer to commercial deployment, supporting India’s growing presence in the global spacetech ecosystem.

Edited by Annette George