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Skyroot becomes India’s 1st space tech unicorn

8 May 2026

It raised $60 million in the latest funding round, pushing its valuation to $1.1 billion.

Skyroot Aerospace is a Hyderabad‑based private rocket startup founded by IIT graduates and former ISRO engineers Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka in 2018.


The funding round was co‑led by Sherpalo Ventures and GIC, with participation from BlackRock, Greenko founders, Arkam Ventures, Playbook Partners, and the Shanghvi Family Office.


Skyroot is preparing for the June launch of Vikram‑1, India’s first privately developed orbital‑class rocket, subject to regulatory approvals and vehicle readiness. It will carry earth‑observation satellites and experimental payloads.


Skyroot previously launched Vikram‑S in 2022, the first private Indian rocket to reach space. The new capital will scale manufacturing, increase launch frequency, and accelerate the development of Vikram‑- 2, a one-tonne-class cryogenic-stage rocket.


The global space launch market reached $16.13 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to $52.83 billion by 2035, as per Global Growth Insights. Skyroot and Agnikul Cosmos operate in the small satellite segment.


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