SatLeo Labs raises fund to build a future where Earth observation becomes more precise, accessible, and impactful. The Ahmedabad-based spacetech startup has successfully secured $3.3 million in a pre-seed funding round. Merak Ventures led the investment with strong support from Huddle Ventures, Java Capital, GVFL, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, and renowned angel investors such as Manish Gandhi and Dheer Baldua. This breakthrough round marks a major leap forward for India’s space economy, especially in thermal imaging and geospatial intelligence.
The startup’s core objective is to deliver dual-band, high-resolution thermal and optical imagery from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). With its proprietary technology, SatLeo Labs plans to tackle urgent climate, energy, and security issues. Their advanced imaging can predict agricultural outcomes, detect wildfires before they escalate, and even help reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
Co-founders Shravan Bhati, Urmil Bakhai, and Dr. Ranendu Ghosh aim to transform India into a global leader in space-based thermal intelligence. Backed by LOIs worth over $25 million and collaborations with ISRO and IN-SPACe, the company is set for a launch that blends science with sustainability. With this funding, they will develop their own imaging payloads, expand infrastructure, and run pilot projects to validate the technology for commercial use. This news is not just about capital; it signals a new era where Indian startups spearhead space-tech innovation with real-world impact.
1. Understanding the Startup: Inside the World of SatLeo Labs
1.1 The Vision and Working Model
SatLeo Labs operates with a forward-looking vision to reshape Earth observation through its high-resolution thermal and optical data collected from satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The startup’s model revolves around developing dual-band sensors capable of capturing both visible and infrared imagery. This data is then used to offer actionable insights across sectors such as agriculture, energy, disaster management, and national security.
Unlike traditional satellite imagery providers, SatLeo focuses on the thermal band, which has been historically underutilized due to technological and financial barriers. By creating cost-effective, high-performance payloads, the startup aims to democratize access to thermal data that can alert stakeholders about potential risks long before they materialize into economic or environmental disasters.
1.2 Revenue Model and Commercial Potential
SatLeo Labs follows a B2B SaaS-oriented model. It monetizes its data analytics services and raw thermal-imagery products through subscription packages and tailored data solutions for enterprise clients. The startup has already secured Letters of Intent worth more than $25 million from multiple industry players across the globe, signaling strong early commercial traction. The data applications span across predictive agriculture, climate resilience, infrastructure monitoring, and strategic defense.
1.3 Meet the Founders
Co-founded by Shravan Bhati (CEO), Urmil Bakhai (CSO), and Dr. Ranendu Ghosh (CTO), SatLeo Labs brings together a multidisciplinary team. Bhati has a deep understanding of geospatial business models, while Bakhai focuses on long-term strategy. Ghosh, a technocrat with experience in payload systems, leads the technological vision. Notably, the team includes former ISRO scientists, adding significant credibility and technical depth to their mission.
1.4 Services and Core Offerings
SatLeo Labs develops dual-band imaging payloads that combine thermal and visible spectrum imaging for comprehensive insights. These payloads are embedded in small satellites placed in LEO. The services offered range from real-time monitoring of vegetation health and urban infrastructure heat maps to early detection systems for forest fires and energy grid anomalies.
2. The Funding Story: From Seed to Space Readiness
2.1 A Strategic Pre-Seed Round
SatLeo Labs raises fund in a tightly contested pre-seed round that closed at $3.3 million. This capital will support the development of its first proprietary thermal imaging payload. Merak Ventures led the round, emphasizing their belief in the untapped commercial potential of thermal data from space. Other backers include Huddle Ventures, GVFL, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, Java Capital, and seasoned angel investors.
2.2 Why This Fundraise Matters
SatLeo Labs raises $3.3M fund to boost India’s space economy. This funding signals a pivotal shift for India’s private space sector. As per Co-founder Shravan Bhati, the startup aims to reduce GDP loss by forecasting climate-related risks. With each 1°C rise in global temperature potentially costing up to 10% of GDP, thermal imaging can be the key to proactive resilience.
Beyond climate concerns, their data can contribute to reducing 2 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually and enable nature-positive development across critical ecosystems.
2.3 The Use of Funds and Next Milestones
The capital will be deployed to build and test the startup’s imaging payload, conduct feasibility assessments, obtain regulatory clearances, and pilot the solution with industry partners. Team expansion and infrastructure setup will also be supported.
SatLeo Labs aims to launch its first satellite soon, enabling live thermal data transmission to clients globally.
3. Industry Landscape and Market Dynamics
3.1 Growing Market for Thermal EO Data
According to industry estimates, Earth Observation (EO) data could add up to $3.8 trillion to global GDP by 2030. Thermal EO, in particular, remains vastly underexploited. As urbanization increases and climate risks surge, thermal data will be critical in managing infrastructure stress, wildfire prevention, and optimized water usage.
3.2 India’s Role in the Global Space-Tech Ecosystem
India’s space-tech startup ecosystem is growing rapidly. With government initiatives through IN-SPACe and increased private participation, companies like SatLeo Labs stand at the intersection of DeepTech innovation and national policy support. Their partnership with ISRO gives them a technical edge while simultaneously making India an innovation leader in thermal EO.
4. Why Investors Are Betting Big on SatLeo Labs
4.1 Unique Technology Proposition
SatLeo Labs is pioneering fused multispectral imaging — a combination of visible and thermal imagery — with exceptional spatial resolution. This makes their satellite data applicable across multiple verticals, unlike most imaging services limited to visual data.
4.2 Strategic Industry Partnerships
The startup’s early collaborations with ISRO, IN-SPACe, and several undisclosed pilot clients offer a credible roadmap to market maturity. This network also enhances their ability to meet global standards.
4.3 Market Readiness and Experienced Team
The founding team’s mix of academic and industrial experience helps SatLeo operate with both agility and depth. Investors believe that this blend of scientific rigor and market orientation is key to the startup’s scalability.
5. Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs
5.1 Technology Must Solve Real Problems
Startups should focus on innovation that meets genuine needs. SatLeo Labs offers actionable insights from space, not just fancy visuals.
5.2 DeepTech Requires Long-Term Vision
Investing time and capital in high-tech solutions demands patience. The team’s efforts in payload design and regulatory navigation are instructive.
5.3 Collaboration with Government and Institutions Helps
Their strategic partnerships with ISRO and IN-SPACe highlight how aligning with public institutions can ease market entry.
5.4 Global Problem, Local Solution
SatLeo Labs shows how Indian startups can tackle global problems like climate change while building a strong domestic base.
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