Positioning India as a global leader in Earth observation and sustainable innovation
Ahmedabad-based spacetech startup SatLeo Labs has secured $3.3 million in a pre-seed funding round to accelerate its mission of redefining Earth observation through advanced thermal and optical imaging. The round was led by Merak Ventures, with participation from Huddle Ventures, GVFL, Java Capital, IIMA Ventures, PointOne Capital, and notable angel investors Manish Gandhi and Dheer Baldua.
The funding will enable SatLeo Labs to scale the development of its proprietary dual-band thermal imaging payload, conduct critical feasibility studies, and secure regulatory clearances. It will also support team expansion, infrastructure development, and pilot launches aimed at validating the technology and solidifying strategic partnerships.
“Each 1°C rise in temperature can reduce global GDP by up to 10%. Our thermal data helps detect risks before they escalate — from crop failures to wildfires,” said Shravan Bhati, Co-founder & CEO. “At SatLeo, we’re transforming space data into real-world resilience.”
Powering Climate Intelligence from Space
SatLeo Labs is building India’s first commercial platform for high-resolution thermal and visible imagery from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The startup’s solutions are poised to drive actionable insights across sectors such as climate monitoring, precision agriculture, urban planning, energy optimization, and national defence.
With an eye on global markets, SatLeo has already garnered over $25 million in Letters of Intent (LOIs) from potential clients, signaling strong industry confidence in its upcoming satellite missions.
“We’re pioneering fused multispectral imaging for sustainable development — from nature-positive action to defence intelligence,” said Dr. Ranendu Ghosh, Co-founder & CTO. “Thermal Earth Observation (EO) has the potential to cut 2 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.”
Industry-Backed DeepTech Vision
“Thermal imagery from space remains vastly untapped,” said Sheetal Bahl, Partner at Merak Ventures. “SatLeo’s deeptech expertise, combined with their understanding of real-world applications, is a rare mix. We’re backing a breakthrough that can make thermal intelligence more useful, accessible, and affordable.”
The startup also boasts collaborations with ISRO and IN-SPACe, and its leadership team includes former ISRO scientists — further strengthening its credibility and technical foundation.
“This funding reinforces our vision to position India as a leader in space-based intelligence,” added Urmil Bakhai, Co-founder & CSO. “We’re just getting started.”
As India accelerates its space innovation ecosystem, SatLeo Labs is a bold step toward turning satellite data into a powerful tool for sustainability, resilience, and global economic impact.
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