GIC, Temasek, Reliance among big investors with space economy plans
The Indian space sector is set seek at least US$180 billion investment for its projects over the next decade which would likely include a Data Centre in Space, according to industry experts at the inaugural space summit held in Singapore 2-3 Feb 2026 https://www.commerce.gov.in/.
The experts shared potenetial prospects in the Indian space programme as Dr Pawan Goenka, chairman of IN-SPACe, told Singapore investors that the Indian space sector could account for 8 to 10 percent of the US$1.8 trillion global space economy by 2035.
Sharing opportunities through IN-SPACe, Dr Goenka said the investment momentum among big-ticket investors is picking up in the growing Indian space ecosystem https://www.bseindia.com/.
He addressed some 100 investors at the forum, organized by the Indian High Commission and Singapore chapter of the TiE or The Indus Enterprise.
The global space economy is currently estimated between US$440 billion and US$630 billion, according to experts who pointed out that the space sector development has been constrained by the yet to mature technology and not due to lack of investments.
Big investors, including Singapore’s Government Investment Corp (GIC) and Temasek as well as global heavyweights including Reliance group of India, are expected to invest in the Indian space sector. These technology-focused corporations are already working out plans to be part of the global space ecosystem, according to the experts.
Dr Goenka also told investors that the Indian Government is backing the space sector with a Rs.1,000 crore venture capital which is growing further https://www.nseindia.com/.
He also reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to have one unicorn every year supported by US$1 billion investment as part of the tech-heavy global space projects. “Five unicorns are to be developed in five years as per the Prime Minister’s call,” he added, stressing that the work is in progress.
The startups, part of the Indian delegation to Space Summit 2026, also pitched their projects to the investors at the forum “Orbiting Innovation: Spacetech Startups and Industries Shaping the Future”.
IN-SPACe has already registered over 390 startups, and given authorization to over 800 companies to undertake activities related to the space eco-system. Startup Digantara is one of the biggest winners of investors having secured US$50 million funding https://digitalinasia.com/.
Dr Goenka gave an update on private sector participation in the Indian space sector to the inaugural summit held 2-3 Feb.
Indian-origin private companies are emerging as a part of the space sector ecosystem over the last four years and the Government, through Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), is providing them access to technology, Dr Goenka said at the summit held in Singapore.
Leading a delegation of 25 experts and space-focused companies to the summit, he said startups were being given exposure at international forums. The delegation also included seven space startups https://sbi.com.in/.
A large number of Memoranda of Understanding have been signed by India with international space agencies of Japan, Sweden, Australia and the US to further develop the growing Indian space sector to be part of the global industry, he said at the summit.
The Indian pavilion at the summit displayed work in progress by Hical, Skyroot, XDLinX Space Labs, General Datum, Azista Space, Gnikul and Cosmoserve. Fiinews.com
