Sisir Radar, a Kolkata-based spacetech startup specializing in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems, has successfully raised $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Shastra VC, with participation from Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT. This investment will bolster the company's research and development efforts and enhance its manufacturing capabilities, aiming to launch the world's highest-resolution L-band SAR satellite by the end of 2026.
Key Details
- Funding Round: $1.5 million seed investment led by Shastra VC, with contributions from Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT.
- Technological Milestone: Development of India's first drone-borne SAR system, enabling high-resolution imaging for various applications.
- Upcoming Launch: Plans to deploy the highest-resolution L-band SAR satellite globally by the end of 2026.
- Application Spectrum: SAR technology facilitates 24/7 real-time Earth monitoring, penetrating darkness, clouds, and dense foliage, essential for defense, agriculture, mining, disaster response, maritime surveillance, and infrastructure monitoring.
- Defense Collaborations: Sisir Radar has secured two IDEX challenges to develop submetric L-band and high-resolution P-band SAR satellites for the Indian Air Force.
Founders' Background
Sisir Radar was founded in 2022 by Dr. Tapan Misra, along with co-founders Soumya Misra and Urmi Bhambhani.
- Dr. Tapan Misra: A distinguished Indian scientist, Dr. Misra served as the Director of the Space Applications Centre and Physical Research Laboratory at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He is renowned for his contributions to microwave remote sensing and SAR technology development. Dr. Misra envisioned Sisir Radar as a platform to advance SAR technology for both defense and commercial applications.
- Soumya Misra: Co-founder and CEO of Sisir Radar, Soumya has been instrumental in steering the company's strategic direction and operations. Under her leadership, the company has achieved significant milestones, including the development of cutting-edge SAR solutions that are revolutionizing both military and civilian sectors.
- Urmi Bhambhani: As a co-founder, Urmi plays a pivotal role in the technological advancements and innovation at Sisir Radar, contributing to the company's mission of providing advanced SAR imaging solutions.
Funding Details
The $1.5 million seed funding round was led by Shastra VC, a venture capital firm known for investing in technology-driven startups. Additional investments were made by Riverwalk Holdings and INVSTT, supporting Sisir Radar's mission to enhance its R&D and manufacturing capabilities. This financial backing is poised to accelerate the company's plans to launch a high-resolution L-band SAR satellite by 2026, positioning Sisir Radar at the forefront of global SAR technology innovation.