Digantara raises $50M at a moment when governments around the world are urgently rethinking how they detect missiles and protect critical space assets. The Bengaluru-based startup has closed a new Series B round to accelerate its move from space situational awareness into full-scale missile tracking and early warning. For readers asking who Digantara is, what it builds, and why this funding matters, the answer is simple: space is becoming the next frontline of defense. Traditional ground-based radar systems are struggling to keep pace with modern threats. Digantara believes space-based infrared sensing can close that gap faster and more reliably.
Credit: DigantaraDigantara Raises $50M in All-Equity Series B
The $50 million round was structured as an all-equity Series B, signaling strong investor confidence in Digantara’s long-term defense strategy. New backers include 360 ONE Asset and Japan’s SBI Investments, alongside prominent entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala. Existing investors Peak XV Partners and Kalaari Capital also doubled down on the company’s trajectory. The raise comes more than two years after Digantara’s $10 million Series A1, bringing total capital raised to roughly $64.5 million. For a defense-focused space startup founded in 2020, that pace reflects both market demand and execution credibility. Investors are betting that space-based sensing will become a core layer of national security infrastructure.
Why Space-Based Missile Defense Is Gaining Momentum
Globally, missile launches, satellite jamming, and orbital interference events are becoming more frequent and more complex. Governments want earlier detection windows than ground radar alone can provide, especially for hypersonic and long-range threats. Space-based infrared sensors offer persistent, wide-area coverage that ground systems struggle to match. Digantara’s expansion aligns with this shift toward layered, space-enabled defense architectures. Defense agencies increasingly see orbit as a vantage point rather than a vulnerability. This strategic rethink is driving procurement budgets toward startups that can move faster than traditional defense primes. Digantara is positioning itself squarely within that demand curve.
From Space Debris Tracking to Missile Detection
Digantara did not begin as a missile defense company. Its original focus was space situational awareness, tracking debris and objects that threaten satellites in crowded orbits. That early work required precise sensing, analytics, and real-time decision-making. According to founder and CEO Anirudh Sharma, those same capabilities now underpin the company’s missile detection push. By extending its infrared sensor stack and analytics software, Digantara is repurposing proven systems for a higher-stakes mission. The transition reflects a broader trend where civilian space technologies are rapidly dual-used for defense. In Digantara’s case, the leap was evolutionary rather than abrupt.
Infrared Sensors at the Core of Digantara’s Strategy
At the heart of Digantara’s technology is its work with infrared sensing across multiple wavelengths. The company has already built IR sensors for space surveillance and is now expanding into mid- and long-wave infrared domains. These wavelengths are critical for detecting heat signatures from missile launches and flight paths. Combined with software-driven analytics, the sensors aim to deliver faster alerts and clearer threat assessments. Digantara is betting that intelligence layered on top of raw data will be as valuable as the hardware itself. This software-first mindset differentiates it from traditional satellite manufacturers.
SCOT Satellite Signals a New Capability
In January, Digantara launched its first space surveillance satellite, SCOT, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission. The satellite enables space-to-space observation, a key capability for monitoring orbital activity without relying solely on ground stations. SCOT represents more than a technical milestone; it is a proof point for customers evaluating Digantara’s credibility. Demonstrating operational hardware in orbit reduces perceived risk for defense buyers. The launch also marked Digantara’s transition from concept to deployed capability. In defense procurement, that distinction often determines who wins contracts.
U.S. Expansion and Defense Contracts Accelerate Growth
A month after the SCOT launch, Digantara opened an office in Colorado Springs, a hub for U.S. space and defense operations. That move quickly translated into traction with American defense agencies. The company has secured contracts with U.S. Space Command for analytics-as-a-service. Its U.S. subsidiary has also been selected for the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract vehicle, supporting next-generation missile defense programs. These wins validate Digantara’s decision to localize operations. For a non-U.S. startup, breaking into American defense procurement is notoriously difficult, making these milestones especially significant.
Splitting Operations to Meet National Security Rules
Digantara has deliberately split its operations across geographies to comply with national security regulations. The U.S. team focuses on designing and building larger satellites in the 100-kilogram class tailored to American defense requirements. Meanwhile, the India-based team concentrates on analytics, data processing, and space situational awareness. This structure reflects the reality that sensitive defense systems often must be built domestically. By adapting its organizational model, Digantara reduces friction in procurement cycles. The approach also signals maturity in navigating complex regulatory environments.
Commercial Traction and Revenue Visibility
Beyond technology and partnerships, Digantara is beginning to show commercial traction. The startup has closed contracts worth a combined $25 million to date. These deals span analytics services and defense-related capabilities across multiple regions. Revenue visibility matters in a sector where long sales cycles can strain young companies. Digantara’s ability to convert interest into signed contracts strengthens its case with both investors and government buyers. It also provides funding stability as the company scales hardware manufacturing and launches additional satellites.
Manufacturing Scale and Global Expansion Plans
In India, Digantara operates a 25,000-square-foot manufacturing facility capable of producing up to five satellites simultaneously. The company plans to scale this capacity significantly as demand grows. Manufacturing in-house gives Digantara tighter control over timelines and quality, a critical advantage in defense projects. Looking ahead, the startup plans to expand into Europe by establishing a local entity as early as 2026. This move would mirror its U.S. localization strategy and open access to European defense budgets. The expansion underscores Digantara’s ambition to become a global defense-space player.
What Digantara’s $50M Raise Signals for the Industry
Digantara raises $50M not just as a funding headline, but as a signal of where defense and space are converging. Governments want faster detection, better analytics, and systems that operate beyond Earth’s surface. Startups that can deliver those capabilities are increasingly competing with traditional defense contractors. Digantara’s journey from debris tracking to missile defense captures that shift. If its technology scales as planned, the company could play a meaningful role in shaping the next generation of space-based security. For now, the Series B gives it the capital and momentum to try.
