India’s space startup ecosystem has grown from single digits to over 450 ventures in six years, with funding gathering pace as policy reforms reshape the sector, a senior official at IN-SPACe said on Wednesday.
Addressing IAFI’s Space Policy Conference 2026, PK Jain, Director, Program Management and Authorisation Directorate at IN-SPACe, said the sector has seen several policy measures since the government announced space reforms, bringing certainty and predictability to the regulatory regime.
Jain said the reforms have helped build a thriving private ecosystem, with the number of space startups rising from a single digit six years ago to more than 450 today. He added that IN-SPACe has received more than 800 applications for facilitation and authorisation over the past four years and issued about 113 authorisations.
He said more than 100 technologies have been transferred to private industry. Jain also said Skyroot has become India’s first space startup unicorn and recently achieved a successful maiden launch of its privately developed launch vehicle.
On the investment front, Jain said Indian space startups have attracted about USD 380-390 million in funding over the last three years. He added that they have already secured USD 150-160 million in the current year, aided by IN-SPACe’s efforts to connect domestic startups with global investors.
He also referred to government-backed initiatives such as the USD120 million venture capital fund and the Technology Adoption Fund to support emerging companies. |
