Funding · Government, Defense & Space

Skyroot Aerospace raised $60 Mn to scale its spacetech operations

What they do

Skyroot Aerospace builds small and medium-lift launch vehicles for the global satellite market

The startup raised $60 million in a funding round co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and Singapore’s GIC, valuing the company at $1.1 billion

This makes Skyroot the fourth Indian startup to reach unicorn status in 2026, after KreditBee, Neysa, and Juspay

Skyroot Aerospace raised $60 million in a funding round co-led by Sherpalo Ventures and Singapore’s GIC.
The round also saw participation from BlackRock, Arkam Ventures, Playbook Partners, and the Shanghvi Family Office.
The funding valued Skyroot at $1.1 billion, making it India’s first spacetech unicorn.
Founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot builds small and medium-lift launch vehicles for the global satellite market.
The company is working on its Vikram series of rockets, including Vikram-I and Vikram-II, aimed at providing on-demand, cost-effective, and flexible satellite launch services.
Skyroot became the first private Indian company to launch a rocket into space with its Vikram-S mission in 2022.
The startup is preparing for the maiden orbital mission of Vikram-1, which would mark India’s first private orbital rocket launch.
The fresh funding will be used to scale manufacturing, increase the frequency of Vikram-1 launches, and accelerate the development of Vikram-2, a heavier launch vehicle powered by a cryogenic stage.
Skyroot has raised nearly $160 million to date from global investors including GIC and Temasek.

Skyroot’s valuation has crossed $1.1 billion, making it India’s first spacetech unicorn.
The startup was valued at around $550 million in 2023 after raising $27 million in a pre-Series C round.
With the latest round, Skyroot has become the fourth startup to enter the unicorn club in 2026 after KreditBee, Neysa, and Juspay.

Skyroot Aerospace builds small and medium-lift launch vehicles for the global satellite market.
The company is working on its Vikram series of rockets, including Vikram-I and Vikram-II, aimed at providing on-demand, cost-effective, and flexible satellite launch services.
Skyroot became the first private Indian company to launch a rocket into space with its Vikram-S mission in 2022.
The startup is preparing for the maiden orbital mission of Vikram-1, which would mark India’s first private orbital rocket launch.
Vikram-1 is designed to carry satellites weighing up to 350kg into low Earth orbit.
The rocket uses an all-carbon composite structure and propulsion systems developed in-house, including 3D-printed engines.
Skyroot develops its rocket structures and propulsion systems at its Max-Q and Infinity campuses in Hyderabad, in the southern Indian state of Telangana.

Scale manufacturing to increase the frequency of Vikram-1 launches.
Accelerate the development of Vikram-2, a heavier launch vehicle powered by a cryogenic stage.
Prepare for the maiden orbital mission of Vikram-1, marking India’s first private orbital rocket launch.

Sherpalo Ventures (co-lead) — A venture capital firm based in the United States.
GIC (co-lead) — Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund.
BlackRock (investor) — A global investment management firm.
Arkam Ventures (investor) — A venture capital firm focused on early-stage startups.
Playbook Partners (investor) — A venture capital firm focused on technology startups.
Shanghvi Family Office (investor) — A private investment firm.