Despite tech prowess, start-ups in space sector find it hard to raise funds Noor Arora
ven as the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) plans to encourage private industries to enter the field of space research, start-ups in this domain are finding it difficult to raise funds, apart from being bogged down by issues relates to policies. This, despite the fact that some of them have good solutions for both satellites and launch vehicles. Globally, over $18 billion has been invested in start-ups since the year 2000, of which $2.7 billion was came in last year alone. Investors are generally bullish about the market which is expected to increase to $1,104 billion from $339 billion, as demand for satellites and launch vehicles is growing, especially in the commercial satellite market. In order to boost its satellite launching credentials in the global market and support 59 upcoming satellite and 40 rockets launches worth Rs 105 billion in the next three years, Isro has called for private participation to build such vehicles.