In a landmark deal for India’s private space sector, Reliance Industries (via Reliance Business Ventures) has led a $50 million (approx. ₹435 crore) Series B funding round for Bengaluru-based spacetech startup Digantara.
The investment, confirmed in late January 2026, has nearly tripled Digantara’s valuation to $200 million, signaling Reliance’s intent to dominate the “sovereign space intelligence” and orbital defense market.
1. The Investor Lineup
While Reliance led the round with an investment of approximately $30 million (₹261 crore), the Series B saw participation from a global consortium of strategic and financial heavyweights:
| Investor | Contribution (Approx.) | Status |
| Reliance Industries | $30 Million | New Lead Investor |
| 360 One Asset | $10 Million | New Participant |
| SBI Holdings (Japan) | $3 Million | New Participant |
| Peak XV Partners | $3.5 Million | Existing Backer |
| Kalaari Capital | $3 Million | Existing Backer |
| Ronnie Screwvala | $500,000 | Angel Participant |
2. Proprietary Tech: “Eyes” in Orbit
Digantara, incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), specializes in Space Situational Awareness (SSA)—essentially tracking everything that moves in Earth’s orbit.
- Superior Resolution: Digantara’s proprietary Space Camera for Object Tracking (SCOT) can identify objects as small as 5 centimeters, doubling the current industry standard of 10 cm.
- AIRA Platform: A unified infrastructure that integrates sensing hardware, data processing, and AI-driven analytics to manage space traffic and weather.
- The “Golden Dome”: Digantara has been selected for the US Golden Dome missile defense system, a multi-layered program designed to integrate space-based sensors for global threat detection.
3. Strategic Roadmap for 2026-27
With $50 million in fresh capital, the company is shifting from a research-focused startup to a dual-use defense-tech powerhouse:
- Constellation Expansion: Plans to deploy 15 space surveillance satellites and 2 dedicated missile-warning satellites (the ALBATROSS series) by 2027.
- Global Presence: Establishing a significant footprint in the United States and expanding into Europe by mid-2026.
- Manufacturing Hub: Setting up new facilities in India for the production of advanced optical systems and satellite hardware.
4. Why Reliance is Betting on Space
Industry analysts see this as a strategic “sovereignty play” by Mukesh Ambani:
- National Security: By backing homegrown surveillance, Reliance aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, reducing dependence on foreign orbital data.
- Telecom Synergy: As Jio expands its satellite broadband ambitions, owning the “surveillance layer” of space provides a critical competitive advantage in managing and protecting orbital assets.
- Deep-Tech Maturation: The deal sets a new benchmark for Indian deep-tech, proving that hardware-heavy, long-gestation space ventures can now attract mega-capital from domestic industrial giants.
Conclusion: The New High Ground
The Reliance-led $50 million infusion is more than just a financial milestone; it is a watershed moment for India’s “NewSpace” economy. As Digantara evolves from a debris-tracking company to a critical provider of missile warning intelligence, it places India at the heart of the global space defense conversation. For Reliance, it is a clear signal that the future of security and connectivity is no longer earthbound—it is being decided in orbit.
