Nova Spectral AI raises ₹21 crore for infrared chips
By Abha Lohia ·
Nova Spectral AI: funding and every story →
- Bengaluru-based Nova Spectral AI designs short-wave infrared sensor chips that let cameras see in low light, smoke, haze and fog
- The startup collected ₹21.15 crore, about $2.25 million, in a round led by Shastra VC with Equirus InnovateX Fund and angels joining
- It wants to build sensors far cheaper than today's options, aimed first at defence drones and surveillance, later at robots, cars and phones
What happened
- Nova Spectral AI raised ₹21.15 crore (about $2.25 million).
- Shastra VC led the round.
- Equirus InnovateX Fund and angel investors also took part.
- The money goes into a short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensor chip.
- First uses are defence drones and surveillance systems.
Why it matters
- Infrared sensors today are costly, which limits where they are used.
- The company says its chip could be up to 100 times cheaper.
- Cheaper sensors could open robotics, cars and smartphones.
The business
- Nova Spectral AI is a Bengaluru semiconductor startup.
- It builds image sensor chips that work in the short-wave infrared band.
- Such sensors help cameras capture images in low light, smoke, haze and fog.
The founders
AP
Anish Priyadarshi
Co-founder- IIT Kanpur alumnus
SK
Sanjeev Kumar
Co-founder- IIT Kanpur alumnus
Who put in money
- Shastra VC Lead
- Equirus InnovateX Fund Investor
In numbers
₹21.15 CrFunds raised · 2026
Terms in this story
- Startup: A startup is a young company built to find a new way of doing something and to grow fast, usually by serving many customers at low extra cost. India's government also has a narrower legal definition that decides who gets scheme benefits.
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