Nova Spectral AI raises ₹21.2 Cr to build India’s SWIR sensor chips

Bengaluru-based Nova Spectral AI has secured ₹21.2 crore ($2.3 million) in early-stage funding, with Shastra VC taking the lead and other backers joining the round. The startup is developing short-wave infrared (SWIR) image sensor chips designed to enhance visibility in low-light environments and through obstacles like smoke or haze.

The capital will help Nova Spectral grow its team and produce a working prototype within the next year and a half. The company’s approach combines colloidal quantum dots (cQDs) with standard silicon CMOS manufacturing, aiming to provide a more affordable alternative to traditional infrared sensors, which typically depend on costly imported materials.

Founded this year by Anish Priyadarshi, an IIT Kanpur graduate with experience in quantum dot fabrication, and Sanjeev Kumar, the startup has gained preliminary support to operate from a Bengaluru-based research institution, where it plans to expand its workforce.

The technology could benefit applications like drones, surveillance systems, and autonomous vehicles, where reliable imaging in difficult conditions is essential. The founders argue that domestic production of these sensors could address gaps in India’s current reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly for defence and industrial uses.

The funding arrives as investor interest in India’s deeptech sector continues to rise, particularly for hardware and chip design startups. Government policies supporting semiconductor manufacturing and defence electronics have further encouraged investment in locally developed sensing technologies. Recent data suggests growing momentum in this space, with more capital flowing into deeptech ventures compared to previous periods.

Nova Spectral’s work aligns with broader efforts in the semiconductor industry to explore new materials and processes that could lower costs and reduce dependence on global supply chains. Earlier coverage noted the startup’s potential to improve imaging in challenging environments, and this latest funding round indicates increasing confidence in its progress.

The investment also reflects a wider trend of venture funds targeting deeptech and hardware startups in India. Other recent developments include new funds being raised to support startups in AI and related fields, as well as significant commitments from international investors to back Indian ventures in emerging technologies.

Whether Nova Spectral can meet its development timeline remains an open question. The technical challenges of scaling production while maintaining performance are considerable. If successful, however, the company could help establish India as a viable player in infrared sensing technology, offering a domestic alternative in a segment currently dominated by imports. For now, the funding round represents a vote of confidence in the team’s ability to deliver—and in the market’s demand for homegrown solutions in critical hardware.

Sources: inc42.com