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AUM Ventures puts India’s space navigation plans firmly on the map
MUMBAI: India’s space ambitions just found a new bearing. AUM Ventures has announced an investment in Sanyark Space, a deeptech venture building India’s first multi-mission Navigation-Communication (NAV-COM) satellite constellation.
The investment marks the first funding under AUM Ventures’ India Deepspark Deeptech Program, an early-stage initiative launched on August 15, 2025, to back Indian founders developing globally competitive, IP-led deep technologies. The programme’s debut edition, supported by more than 15 incubators including IIT-backed and government-supported ecosystems, drew over 400 applications from founders across the country.
As part of the pre-seed round, AUM Ventures will support Sanyark Space in developing an indigenous, high-precision positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) system, integrated with secure satellite-based machine-to-machine and IoT communications. The proposed NAV-COM platform aims to deliver resilient, high-accuracy services for mission-critical and next-generation autonomous applications.
AUM Ventures said India’s increasing reliance on foreign navigation systems poses a long-term strategic risk, especially as precision-dependent sectors face rising threats from signal jamming and spoofing. Aviation, maritime services, logistics, telecom, finance and defence are among the industries affected, making alternative, trusted infrastructure a growing priority.
Sanyark Space was founded by former Indian Space Research Organisation scientists Raghava Kundrapu and Akhileshwar Reddy Peseke. The founders have contributed to several national flagship programmes, including PSLV, GSLV, NavIC, Chandrayaan missions, pad abort tests and reusable launch vehicle development. Post-ISRO, Kundrapu also worked in space technology consulting, while Peseke brings over a decade of experience in GNSS and NavIC systems design.
The startup’s approach combines low-Earth-orbit satellites with NavIC and other global navigation systems to deliver centimetre-level positioning and nanosecond-level timing without relying on costly ground infrastructure such as RTK base stations. This integrated model is designed to be interoperable with existing systems while improving accuracy, availability and security.
With the fresh capital, Sanyark Space plans to accelerate constellation design, payload development and early customer engagements across defence, infrastructure and industrial use cases. The company said it intends to work closely with public and private stakeholders to build a strategically important and commercially scalable NAV-COM infrastructure for India and global markets.
In backing Sanyark Space, AUM Ventures is signalling a clear bet on deeptech as both a commercial opportunity and a matter of national capability putting India’s future navigation firmly back into domestic hands.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
