Spacetech startup Sisir Radar has raised $1.5 million in seed funding to advance SAR technology, strengthen its R&D capabilities, and develop a high-resolution SAR satellite for defense applications, including specialized solutions for the Indian Air Force.

The seed round was led by Shastra VC, with participation from Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT. The Kolkata-based company, known for its advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology, plans to use the capital to enhance its research and development (R&D) and manufacturing capabilities. With this, it aims to launch the world’s highest-resolution L-band SAR satellite by the end of 2026.

Sisir Radar’s cofounder and CEO Soumya Misra said, “We are building world-class earth observation solutions to make India self-reliant and establish it as a global provider of high-resolution satellite imagery.”

Founded in 2022 by Dr. Tapan Misra, former director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, and Soumya Misra and Urmi Bhambhani, Sisir Radar has positioned itself as a leader in SAR imaging payloads. The company develops airborne and spaceborne SAR systems across L, P, S, C, and X frequency bands, providing unmatched imaging precision.

Sisir Radar’s cutting-edge technology supports national defense and intelligence operations. It has won two Innovation for Defense Excellence (IDEX) challenges, securing contracts to build specialized SAR satellites for the Indian Air Force. Its ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system also enhances infrastructure monitoring and bomb detection. At the same time, its drone-borne hyperspectral imaging solutions extend its application spectrum.

Sisir Radar Advancing SAR Technology

SAR technology is crucial in high-resolution 2D and 3D imaging, offering all-weather surveillance capabilities. Unlike optical satellites, SAR systems operate effectively in darkness, dense clouds, and adverse weather conditions, making them indispensable for defense, intelligence, disaster response, and infrastructure monitoring.

Beyond defense, Sisir Radar’s solutions empower industries such as agriculture, maritime surveillance, and mining. The company’s SAR imaging capabilities facilitate 24×7 real-time Earth monitoring, providing crucial insights for climate research and environmental conservation.

The investment in Sisir Radar aligns with a growing trend in India’s space tech sector. While overall funding in the industry dropped 35 percent year-over-year to $81 million in 2023, investor interest remains strong. According to Inc42, homegrown spacetech startups have secured over $285 million in funding between 2014 and 2023.

Government support has further fueled this growth. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) recently launched a $60 million (INR 500 Cr) technology adoption fund to support startups, covering up to 60 percent of project costs. Additionally, a $120 million (INR 1,000 Cr) venture capital fund announced in last year’s budget aims to accelerate startup innovation in the space sector.

Sisir Radar’s funding follows a series of recent investments in Indian space tech startups. Bengaluru-based Astrogate Labs secured $1.3 million in a round led by the Piper Serica Angel Fund. In comparison, Catalyx raised $1.7 million in its pre-seed round led by HF0 Residency. OrbitAID also attracted $1.5 million in funding from Unicorn India Ventures.

India’s space tech industry is on a fast track to becoming a $77 billion market by 2030. With strong government backing and increasing investor confidence, startups like Sisir Radar are set to redefine Earth observation, defense, and commercial satellite applications globally.

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