Speciale Invest, co-founded by Vishesh Rajaram, is a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in deep tech, particularly in the burgeoning Indian spacetech sector.

India's spacetech ecosystem is rapidly evolving, with over 150 startups emerging, supported by institutions like IIT Madras and IISc, and regulatory backing from ISRO through initiatives like IN-SPACe.

Among the startups in Speciale Invest's portfolio are Agnikul Cosmos, which innovates in rocket manufacturing using 3D printing, and GalaxEye Space, which is developing India's first multi-sensor imaging satellites.

Astrogate Labs is making strides in laser communications for faster space-to-Earth data transmission, while InspeCity focuses on satellite maintenance and lifecycle management to minimize costs and space debris.

Rajaram sees significant potential for spacetech to tackle societal challenges, including drug discovery in microgravity and improving agricultural and weather predictions through enhanced satellite data.

He believes that the current geopolitical climate and India's enhanced global standing present a prime opportunity for deep tech investments, especially in spacetech.

Historically, venture capitalists have shied away from deep tech investments due to long gestation periods and higher risks compared to traditional sectors like software and e-commerce.

Globally, innovations in spacetech are also taking shape, with companies like Inbound Aerospace and Varda Space Industries exploring in-orbit manufacturing, while addressing challenges like orbital debris.

Rajaram emphasizes the importance of investing in teams that possess unique insights and capabilities, which can create monopolistic advantages in the spacetech sector.

He identifies key factors for evaluating spacetech startups, including the uniqueness of the team, market growth potential, and the presence of significant pain points that the startup can address.

Reflecting on past failures in spacetech, Rajaram notes that ideas like space-based internet before Starlink and asteroid mining were premature due to technological and market readiness issues.

Rajaram highlights India's strong manufacturing history and expertise in aerospace components as crucial elements for the growth of the spacetech sector.