India’s dedicated venture capital fund for the space sector has moved into an operational phase, with investments in selected startups expected to begin from the first quarter of FY2027. The Antariksh Venture Capital Fund has been created to support the country’s emerging spacetech ecosystem and deepen private sector participation in the space economy.
Fund Structure and Registration
The fund has been set up by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited as the investment manager. It received registration from SEBI on 31 October 2025 and completed its initial closing on 10 November 2025. The committed corpus stands at ₹1,005 crore. This makes it one of the key financial instruments for supporting space-related innovation in India.
Operational Milestones Completed
Several post-registration formalities have already been completed. These include:
- Appointment of a custodian.
- Registration with depositories for issuance of AIF units.
- Constitution of Screening and Investment Committees.
These steps have enabled the fund to move towards active evaluation of startups and investment readiness.
Startup Evaluation and Funding Pipeline
The evaluation of spacetech startups is currently underway. Four proposals have already reached an advanced stage after receiving Pre-Investment Committee approval. The government has noted that many startups in this sector need structured support to align with institutional investment requirements, especially in documentation, data presentation, and due diligence.
Significance for India’s Space Ecosystem
The fund is expected to strengthen innovation, improve access to capital, and support the scaling of space technology ventures. It also reflects a broader policy push to build a globally competitive space ecosystem. The first round of funding approvals and disbursements is expected after detailed appraisal and completion of documentation in early FY2027.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026