Olee Space, a Pune-based defence technology startup, has raised USD 3 million in seed funding from domestic and international investors, including Rockstud Capital and IIMA Ventures. The company plans to use the funds to scale production, enhance quantum-secure communication protocols, expand its laser-based satellite communication initiatives, and accelerate the development of high-energy laser systems.
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. The company is developing FSOC systems for terrestrial, stratospheric, and space networks, including LEO and MEO satellite constellations, airborne platforms, stratospheric balloons, and high-speed terrestrial links.
Olee Space has conducted over five years of research and development, including field-level deployments. “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,” said James Solomon, founder and CEO.
“Our offerings include ultra-fast, secure free-space optical communication systems and directed energy weapon platforms designed for anti-drone and anti-satellite operations,” added Suman Hiremath, cofounder and COO.
The startup has reported collaborations with organisations including ISRO, Bharat Innovation Fund (BIF), India Telecom, MeitY, and the armed forces. It is developing laser-based satellite constellations and quantum-encrypted communication networks to support secure, high-speed global communication. The FSOC technology demonstrated speeds of 80 Gbps over 1 km and 10 Gbps over 5 km in pilot projects, offering high-bandwidth, interference-resistant links without the need for spectrum licensing.
According to investors, the global FSOC market is currently valued between USD 0.8 billion and USD 2.1 billion, with forecasts projecting growth that could exceed USD 50 billion by 2037. FSOC offers advantages over traditional RF systems, including higher data throughput, lower latency, rapid deployment, smaller form factors, and reduced regulatory hurdles.
Within India’s space startup ecosystem, Olee Space competes with companies such as Agnikul, Dhruva Space, Skyroot Aerospace, Pixxel, and Astrome. In the DEW and defence technology segment, its competitors include the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
Olee Space’s focus is on developing technologies in the growing Indian space and defence tech markets. According to industry reports, India’s space economy is projected to grow from USD 8.4 billion in 2022 to USD 44 billion by 2033, while the defence tech market is expected to increase from USD 7.6 billion in 2025 to USD 19 billion by 2030.
Olee Space offers laser-based communication systems and directed energy weapons for applications in aerospace, defence, and strategic infrastructure. The company is developing FSOC and quantum-encrypted systems to create a scalable, secure optical backbone for high-speed communication, defence, and satellite operations.