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Funding · AI & Deep Tech

Velmenni raises ₹30 Cr Pre-Series A funding led by pi Ventures

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Date
Company
Velmenni
What it does
light-based wireless communication
Kind
Funding
Amount
₹30 crore
Stage
Pre-Series A
Founded
2014
Sector
AI & Deep Tech

What they do

Velmenni builds optical wireless communication systems that use light to transmit data, offering an alternative to fibre and radio-frequency networks

What happened

The company raised ₹30 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from MountTech Growth Fund-Kavachh and Apekso

Why it matters

The capital will be used to accelerate the commercialisation of its Free Space Optics (FSO) and Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technologies and expand deployments…

The details

  • Velmenni, a deep-tech startup, has raised ₹30 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from MountTech Growth Fund-Kavachh and Apekso.
  • The company builds optical wireless communication systems that use light to transmit data, offering an alternative to fibre and radio-frequency networks.
  • The capital will be used to accelerate the commercialisation of its Free Space Optics (FSO) and Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technologies.
  • Velmenni’s technology is designed to provide high-capacity links where laying fibre cables is expensive or impractical.
  • The company has completed more than 50 live deployments across India, Southeast Asia, and the United States.
  • Velmenni has deployed India’s first commercial carrier-grade FSO backhaul links to support a private 5G network at a GMR thermal power plant in Odisha.
  • The startup has secured a multi-million-dollar order to deploy specialised optical communication systems across Indian submarines to address connectivity challenges in harbour environments.

The bigger picture

  • Velmenni’s technology uses light to transmit data, offering an alternative to traditional radio frequencies and fibre cables.
  • The company has demonstrated the ability to translate a new technology into real-world commercial deployments.
  • Velmenni is well-positioned to scale optical wireless communication globally and meet growing worldwide demand for secure, high-capacity connectivity.

About the business

  • Velmenni builds optical wireless communication systems that use light to transmit data, offering an alternative to fibre and radio-frequency networks.
  • The company’s technology is designed to provide high-capacity links where laying fibre cables is expensive or impractical.
  • Velmenni’s systems use laser-based communication to transmit data through air, delivering fibre-like speeds over distances ranging from one to 25 kilometres.
  • The company offers two main categories of products: one focuses on telecom backhaul, enabling operators to connect cell towers without fibre cables, and the second targets last-mile connectivity, allowing internet service providers to deliver high-speed broadband to buildings without running physical cables.
  • Velmenni has completed more than 50 live deployments across India, Southeast Asia, and the United States, including pilots with Tier-1 telecom operators in the US.

What happens next

  • The company plans to use the new funding to scale deployments and expand further into international markets.
  • Velmenni expects to receive clearance from the US telecom regulator, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), soon.

The deal

Type
funding

Investors

  • pi Ventures (lead) — A venture capital firm that invests in deep-tech startups.
  • MountTech Growth Fund-Kavachh (investor) — A growth-stage venture capital fund focused on technology startups.
  • Apekso (investor) — A venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups.

Founders

  • Deepak Solanki, Founder & CEO

About Velmenni

Product
Light-based wireless communication solutions using Li-Fi and Free Space Optics (FSO) for secure, high-capacity backhaul and last-mile connectivity
Customers
Service providers, telecom operators, government, and defense agencies seeking alternative connectivity solutions
How it makes money
B2B technology solutions for alternative connectivity infrastructure bypassing need for spectrum licensing or cable trenching
What sets it apart
Patented Li-Fi and FSO technologies enabling secure, interference-proof communication with lower total cost of ownership and faster deployment

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