A Chennai-based space startup, VyomIC, is set to create India’s first private GPS constellation, a pioneering project that could redefine global positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. Founded by IIT-Madras alumni Lokesh Kabdal, Vibhor Jain, and Anurag Patil, the company has raised USD 1.6 million in a pre-seed round led by Speciale Invest, with support from BYT Capital and DeVC.
The funding will accelerate work on low-Earth-orbit (LEO) PNT payloads, support a demonstration mission, and strengthen the company’s engineering and business expansion plans.
Precision at the Core
VyomIC aims to offer centimetre-level positioning and nanosecond-level timing, essential for sectors ranging from defense and telecom to financial services and autonomous vehicles. Co-founder Vibhor Jain explained that the mission is not only about offering an Indian alternative to GPS but about developing a secure and precise global navigation solution.
One of the system’s standout features will be resilience against spoofing and jamming — vulnerabilities that often compromise existing global systems such as GPS, GLONASS, and BeiDou.
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The Edge of Low Earth Orbit
Unlike traditional navigation satellites in medium Earth orbit, VyomIC’s private GPS constellation will leverage low-Earth-orbit technology. This design promises stronger signals, reduced latency, and better coverage in dense cities and rugged terrains. It also expands possibilities for indoor navigation, an area where conventional satellite systems fail.
By focusing on LEO architecture, VyomIC intends to deliver robust signals that can benefit industries dependent on high-accuracy navigation, including logistics, emergency services, and future smart city applications.
Driving Strategic Independence
Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest, asserted that resilient navigation is now non-negotiable in an era defined by autonomous systems and time-sensitive infrastructure. He added that VyomIC’s vision aligns closely with India’s stride toward strategic technological sovereignty
Investors backing the venture emphasize the critical need for sovereign navigation capabilities. “Reliable navigation and timing are foundational for autonomy and national security,” said Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner at Speciale Invest.
If successful, the startup’s long-term roadmap will deploy a fully operational private GPS constellation serving global users. This effort could reduce India’s reliance on foreign systems, boost technological sovereignty, and establish the country as a leader in next-generation PNT services.
Source: PTI News, The Economics Times
