Olee Space Bags $3 Mn For Laser-Based Communication System

SUMMARY

Pune-based defence tech startup Olee Space has raised $3 Mn in seed funding from domestic and international investors, including Rockstud Capital

Olee Space plans to use the fresh funds to scale production, enhance quantum-secure communication protocols, and expand its DEW systems roadmap

Founded in 2023 by IIT Bombay alumnus James Solomon and engineer Suman Hiremath, Olee Space develops laser-based communication systems and directed energy weapon (DEW) platforms

Pune-based defence tech startup Olee Space has raised $3 Mn in seed funding from domestic and international investors, including Rockstud Capital.

Founded in 2023 by IIT Bombay alumnus James Solomon and engineer Suman Hiremath, Olee Space develops laser-based communication systems and directed energy weapon (DEW) platforms.

Its work focuses on free-space optical communication (FSOC), which uses low-powered infrared lasers for high-speed, secure data transmission across land, air, sea and space.

Olee Space claims to be also building an indigenous DEW platform aimed at anti-drone, UAV, and anti-satellite operations.

With over five years of R&D, Olee Space has carried out field-level deployments and plans to use the fresh funds to scale production, enhance quantum-secure communication protocols, and expand its DEW systems roadmap.

“Have always been fascinated by how lasers function. Working with light gives me happiness and I am here to do as much justice to this domain as any of my able team members. What we do here is rewarding to the country, would continue doing so,” said founder & CEO James Solomon.

“This funding validates our belief that India can lead in photonics and laser-based technologies. We’re building not just for today, but for the future of national security, space, and strategic infrastructure,” said Suman Hiremath, cofounder & COO.

Olee Space’s offerings include ultra-fast, secure free-space optical communication systems and directed energy weapon (DEW) platforms designed for applications such as anti-drone and anti-satellite operations.

The startup also claims active collaborations with ISRO, BIF, India Telecom, MeitY, the armed forces, and other key stakeholders.

India’s Growing Space & Defence Ecosystem

Reflecting the broader momentum in India’s spacetech and defence tech sectors, Olee Space’s funding highlights increasing investor appetite. Its competitors in the spacetech include Agnikul, Dhruva Space, Skyroot Aerospace, Pixxel and Astrome, whereas in the DEW and defence tech, it contends with DRDO, BEL and BDL.

As per a FICCI–EY report, India’s space economy is projected to grow from $8.4 Bn in 2022 to $44 Bn by 2033.

In a separate Inc42 report, India’s defence tech market is projected to grow from $7.6 Bn in 2025 to $19 Bn by 2030. A host of defence tech startups are further fueling the sector’s expansion.