Skyroot Aerospace Becomes India’s First Space-Tech Unicorn
Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace has become India’s first space-tech unicorn after raising $60 million, or nearly Rs 570 crore, in a new funding round led by prominent global investors.
The investment round included participation from Sherpalo Ventures, the investment firm founded by veteran technology investor Ram Shriram, along with sovereign wealth fund GIC and asset management giant BlackRock.
The milestone places Skyroot among a growing group of Indian startups reaching unicorn status while highlighting increasing investor confidence in the country’s private space sector.
Ram Shriram Joins Skyroot Board
As part of the funding round, Ram Shriram will join Skyroot Aerospace’s Board. Shriram is widely recognised as an early investor in Google and currently serves as a board member at Alphabet Inc.
He was also Google’s first backer, making his involvement a significant endorsement for the Indian space startup.
Skyroot said the fresh capital will support its efforts to accelerate rocket development, strengthen launch infrastructure and expand commercial operations.
Skyroot Expands India’s Private Space Ambitions
Founded by former Indian Space Research Organisation scientists Naga Bharath Daka and Pawan Kumar Chandana, Skyroot Aerospace focuses on developing private satellite launch vehicles for domestic and global markets.
The company has emerged as one of the leading players in India’s rapidly expanding private space ecosystem following government reforms that opened the sector to private participation.
Skyroot gained national attention after successfully launching the Vikram-S rocket, becoming the first private Indian company to achieve such a milestone.
Investor Interest Grows In Indian Space Sector
The latest funding round reflects growing international interest in India’s emerging space-tech industry.
Global investors increasingly view Indian aerospace startups as attractive long-term opportunities due to lower operational costs, expanding satellite demand and supportive policy reforms.
The participation of investors such as GIC, BlackRock and Sherpalo also signals rising confidence in Skyroot’s commercial launch capabilities and long-term growth prospects.
With fresh funding and strategic backing from experienced technology investors, Skyroot is expected to intensify its efforts to build advanced launch systems and compete in the global satellite launch market.