Key Takeaways:<\/p>\n
Skyroot is the first Indian private space startup to cross the $1 billion valuation mark.<\/p>\n
The funding round was co-led by Singapore\u2019s GIC and Sherpalo Ventures, led by early Google investor Ram Shriram.<\/p>\n
The capital is earmarked for the Vikram-1 orbital launch and the development of the larger Vikram-2 vehicle.<\/p>\n
Indian launch vehicle startup Skyroot Aerospace has raised $60 million at a $1.1 billion pre-money valuation, becoming India\u2019s first spacetech unicorn weeks before the planned launch of Vikram-1, the country\u2019s first privately developed orbital rocket.<\/p>\n
The Hyderabad-based company said the funding round was co-led by Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC and Sherpalo Ventures, the investment firm run by early Google investor Ram Shriram. The latest funding doubles Skyroot\u2019s valuation from $550 million three years ago.<\/p>\n
Skyroot said the capital will support launches of its Vikram-1 rocket, expand manufacturing capacity, and accelerate development of its next vehicle, Vikram-2.<\/p>\n
Private Rocket Launch Nears After Major Funding Round<\/p>\n
The investment comes as Skyroot prepares for the launch of Vikram-1, which is expected to become India\u2019s first privately built and operated orbital-class rocket. Last week, the company transported the rocket\u2019s flight hardware from Hyderabad to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe at Skyroot Aerospace are excited about the upcoming Vikram-1 launch, India\u2019s first private orbital rocket, marking a significant milestone both for India and the global space sector,\u201d co-founder and Chief Executive Pawan Kumar Chandana said in a statement.<\/p>\n
In 2022, Skyroot launched Vikram-S, which became the first privately built Indian rocket to reach space.<\/p>\n
Shriram, who will join Skyroot\u2019s board, said the company had demonstrated strong progress in the orbital launch sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve believed in the Skyroot team since the early days, and that conviction has only deepened as the team marches forward to the launchpad with Vikram-1,\u201d Shriram said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Investors Increase Bets on India\u2019s Expanding Space Sector<\/p>\n
The funding reflects growing investor interest in India\u2019s private space industry as the sector expands beyond launch vehicles into earth observation, in-orbit services, and space domain awareness.<\/p>\n
According to industry data cited in the report, venture capital investment in Indian spacetech companies reached $276 million across 33 deals in 2025, exceeding the combined total of the previous two years.<\/p>\n