Reliance Industries has led a $50 million funding round in Bengaluru-based spacetech startup Digantara, marking one of the largest private investments in India’s growing space technology ecosystem. The funding round also saw participation from existing and new institutional investors, underlining rising confidence in companies focused on space situational awareness and orbital intelligence.
Digantara operates in the niche but increasingly critical segment of tracking objects in Earth’s orbit, including satellites and space debris. With satellite launches accelerating globally, the need for real-time monitoring of orbital activity has become a priority for governments, defence agencies, and commercial satellite operators.
What Digantara Does
Founded in 2018, Digantara develops space surveillance and tracking solutions that help monitor and manage congestion in Earth’s orbit. Its technology focuses on identifying, tracking, and predicting the movement of satellites and debris to reduce the risk of collisions.
The startup is building a network of ground-based and space-based sensors to provide precise, continuous data on orbital objects. This information is crucial for satellite operators to plan maneuvers, avoid collisions, and ensure mission safety. As low-Earth orbit becomes increasingly crowded, such capabilities are gaining strategic importance.
Use of Fresh Capital
According to the company, the newly raised capital will be used to accelerate the deployment of its space-based surveillance infrastructure, expand international operations, and enhance its data analytics capabilities. Digantara is also expected to invest in research and development to improve the accuracy and real-time monitoring of orbital activity.
A portion of the funding will support the startup’s plans to scale its presence in global markets, particularly in regions with high satellite activity such as the United States, Europe, and parts of Asia.
Why Reliance’s Investment Matters
Reliance Industries’ participation in the funding round is being seen as a significant endorsement of India’s private spacetech sector. While the conglomerate has interests spanning energy, telecom, retail, and digital services, this investment signals a strategic interest in advanced technologies with long-term national and commercial relevance.
Experts note that space situational awareness aligns with broader national priorities around space security, satellite infrastructure protection, and defence preparedness. Reliance’s backing could also help Digantara access larger commercial opportunities and strategic partnerships globally.
India’s Expanding SpaceTech Ecosystem
India’s spacetech sector has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, driven by policy reforms, increased private participation, and rising global demand for satellite-based services. Startups working in launch vehicles, satellite manufacturing, earth observation, and space analytics have attracted growing investor attention.
Digantara’s funding round reflects a broader shift where investors are looking beyond satellite launches and focusing on downstream and infrastructure technologies that support long-term sustainability in space.
What Lies Ahead
With satellite constellations expanding and space becoming more congested, the demand for reliable orbital monitoring solutions is expected to rise sharply. Industry observers believe companies like Digantara could play a key role in shaping global norms around space traffic management and safety.
Reliance’s investment places Digantara among a small but growing group of Indian startups positioned at the intersection of commercial opportunity and strategic capability in the space domain.
