Nova Spectral AI raises ₹21.15 Cr seed round led by Shastra VC for Indian SWIR chips
The Bengaluru deeptech startup wants to build lead-free infrared image sensors in India at a far lower cost than imported ones.
The 30-second read
- Shastra VC led a seed round that gave Nova Spectral AI Rs 21.15 crore (about $2.25 million).
- The startup is building lead-free quantum dot SWIR image sensor chips on standard silicon CMOS.
- It aims to cut costs by up to 100 times versus InGaAs and build a field-ready prototype within 18 months.
IllustrationNova Spectral AI, a Bengaluru-based startup, has raised a seed round led by Shastra VC. Equirus InnovateX Fund and angel investors also took part, as first reported by Entrackr. Entrackr, Indian Startup News and The Economic Times put the amount at Rs 21.15 crore (about $2.25 million). Inc42 reported it as ₹21.2 Cr ($2.3 Mn).
The company is run by founders Anish Priyadarshi and Sanjeev Kumar. Priyadarshi is cofounder and CEO, as first reported by Inc42. Indian Startup News dates the founding to May 2026. Entrackr says only that it was set up earlier this year.
Nova is making lead-free colloidal quantum dot SWIR image sensor chips on standard silicon CMOS. It targets a cost cut of up to 100 times compared with InGaAs. Defence ISR and drones come first. Smartphones, wearables, robots and automobiles are next. The money will go to building a team and a field-ready prototype within 18 months.
Inc42 first reported Priyadarshi's view: "India’s armed forces should not have to rely on an imported sensor to see at night or through smoke. We design and build our chip in India, with a roadmap to make the quantum dot materials and readout chip here too,". Inc42 also reported that Nova has in-principle approval to incubate at IISc Bengaluru.
Why it matters
Most SWIR sensors used in India are imported. A cheaper home-grown chip could reduce that dependence for defence drones and surveillance, and make the technology affordable for more uses.
