Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday interacted with CEOs and founders of 20 Indian space startups at Seva Teerth, highlighting the growing strength of the country’s private space industry and urging entrepreneurs to pursue ambitious goals that can establish India as a global hub for space technology.
The interaction brought together young companies working across a wide range of cutting-edge areas, including rocket development, reusable semi-cryogenic launch vehicles, avionics, satellites, advanced propulsion systems, space and defence intelligence, space-debris removal, and artificial intelligence-based weather and climate intelligence.
The startup leaders presented their work and shared their vision for the future of India’s space economy. They highlighted the rapid expansion of private-sector capabilities and said their companies have invested considerable time, resources and effort in developing sophisticated technologies domestically.
The founders also expressed appreciation for the government’s support and the policy changes that have enabled greater private participation in the space sector. They said the ecosystem created in recent years has encouraged innovation, strengthened industry collaboration and motivated teams to pursue challenging technological objectives.
Private participation opens new opportunities
During the interaction, the startup leaders recalled the enthusiasm generated after India opened the space sector to private players. They said the move created fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs and helped establish a new generation of companies focused on developing indigenous space technologies.
Several companies have also attracted interest from other industries seeking to adopt and use technologies emerging from India’s private space ecosystem. According to the participants, this growing demand demonstrates the wider commercial potential of space technology beyond traditional space missions.
Prime Minister Modi congratulated the entrepreneurs for taking the initiative to enter a highly challenging and technology-intensive sector. He said their confidence and determination have reinforced the vision behind opening India’s space sector to private participation.
He pointed out that several countries either lack the resources to make significant investments in space or have chosen not to prioritise the sector. This, he said, presents India with an important opportunity to strengthen its position in the global space economy.
PM Modi calls for wider applications of space technology
The Prime Minister encouraged Indian space companies to look beyond conventional applications and explore ways in which their technologies can directly improve people’s lives.
He emphasised the importance of collaboration between space startups and organisations operating in other sectors. Such partnerships, he suggested, could accelerate the practical use of advanced technologies and expand their impact.
For instance, companies developing solutions to tackle space debris could work with environmental organisations to increase the scale and effectiveness of their technologies. Similarly, startups using space technology for agriculture could collaborate with agricultural universities and government departments.
Such cooperation, Modi said, could help farmers access better information, make more informed decisions and potentially improve agricultural productivity.
India should become a global space innovation hub
The Prime Minister called for the creation of an ecosystem in which India becomes the country the world looks toward whenever space technology and innovation are discussed.
He said the Indian space sector has the potential to become a magnet for global talent, companies and investment. A strong domestic ecosystem, combined with technological innovation and international collaboration, could help India emerge as one of the leading destinations for the global space industry.
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The government’s push for private participation has already encouraged startups to work on technologies that were traditionally associated with large public institutions. The growing diversity of companies in the sector reflects the expanding scope of India’s space ambitions.
Focus on young minds and Atal Tinkering Labs
Prime Minister Modi also stressed the need to strengthen links between space startups and Atal Tinkering Labs. He said closer engagement could spark curiosity among schoolchildren and introduce them to space science and technology from an early age.
Greater exposure to innovation during childhood, he noted, can encourage young minds to explore science, engineering and entrepreneurship and potentially contribute to the country’s future space capabilities.
The interaction reflected the government’s broader emphasis on strengthening the connection between innovation, entrepreneurship and national development.
20 startups participate in interaction
The meeting featured CEOs and founders representing 20 prominent Indian space startups working in diverse technological fields.
The participating companies included Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, GalaxEye, PierSight, Bellatrix Aerospace, Digantara, SatSure, Suhora Technologies, Manastu Space, Astrobase, TakeMe2Space, VyomIC, Cosmoserve Space, OrbitAID Aerospace, SkyServe (Hyspace), Serendipity Space, Vassar Labs and mistEO.
The interaction underscored the expanding role of private enterprises in India’s space ambitions. With startups developing launch systems, satellites, propulsion technologies, intelligence platforms, climate solutions and space sustainability technologies, the sector is increasingly becoming a major pillar of India’s emerging high-tech economy.
Prime Minister Modi’s call for deeper cross-sector partnerships and stronger international positioning signals an ambition that goes beyond launching satellites and missions. The broader objective is to build an innovation-driven ecosystem capable of attracting global capital, talent and technological partnerships while delivering practical benefits to citizens.
With private companies increasingly contributing to India’s space capabilities, the country is seeking to transform its space sector into a powerful engine of innovation, investment and economic growth.
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