Ahmedabad-based deeptech imaging surveillance startup Optimized Electrotech Series A round attracts INR 51.48 crore (~USD 6 million). This round was led by Blume Ventures and Mela Ventures. 9Unicorns, Venture Catalysts, Rajiv Dadlani Group and co-founder and Managing Director Sandeep Shah himself participated in the round.
A Bet on India’s Surveillance & Space Capabilities
Founded in 2017 by Sandeep Shah and Dharin Shah, Optimized Electrotech is building AI-powered electro-optic imaging systems to provide real-time intelligence across defence, border security, aerospace and space technology. The company is focused on indigenously developed multi-spectral imaging platforms, a niche dominated by larger players like Bharat Electronics, Tata Advanced Systems and Tonbo Imaging.
Optimized Electrotech’s solutions across the electromagnetic spectrum serve Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) needs in both terrestrial and space-based applications. The imaging payloads have onboard analytics to enable faster decision making and situational awareness for military and civilian use cases – including thwarting unauthorized drone incursions and perimeter surveillance.
Use of Funds
According to company statements, the freshly infused capital will be deployed toward:
- Development of next-generation imaging payloads for autonomous ISR systems.
- Creation of high-speed imaging systems for space surveillance.
- Establishing a dedicated subsidiary focusing exclusively on space tech solutions.
- Market expansion, particularly into global defense and aerospace markets.
Sandeep Shah emphasized that the funding arrives at a “critical inflection point,” as India doubles down on strategic self-reliance in defense and high-impact technologies. “Driven by strong government policies and an increasing focus on indigenous capabilities, it’s important to build critical mass within this window of opportunity,” he said.
Financials At A Glance
Despite the promising funding round, OEPL has reported a dip in its financial performance:
- FY25 revenue declined to INR 3 crore from INR 4.4 crore in FY24.
- Net losses widened to INR 8 crore in FY25 from INR 5.7 crore the previous year.
However, investors appear to be undeterred by short-term financials, instead focusing on the long-tail potential of OEPL’s technology stack, its patent portfolio (four patents), and a series of iDEX Challenge wins, including the prestigious ADITI award.
Riding the Deeptech Momentum in India
Optimized Electrotech’s funding news comes amid a broader tailwind for India’s deeptech sector:
- In 2024 alone, Indian deeptech startups raised USD 460 million across 78 deals.
- Netradyne, another deeptech startup, emerged as the only unicorn in the space last year.
- The Government of India is actively encouraging the sector, with Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman advocating for a pivot from “low-value” ventures to semiconductors, robotics, and deeptech.
- The Union Budget 2025 announced a new INR 10,000 crore Fund of Funds (FoF) and added another INR 10,000 crore to SIDBI’s startup fund, doubling the total to INR 20,000 crore for high-impact startup investments.
Looking Ahead
OEPL is also planning to raise an additional USD 5 million (~INR 42.87 crore) over the next six months, with a focus on strategic semiconductor investors. This underlines the firm’s ambitions to not only stay relevant in AI surveillance but also position itself in the space hardware supply chain, which is increasingly becoming geopolitically critical.
Conclusion
With geopolitical uncertainties rising and governments globally prioritizing real-time situational intelligence, Optimized Electrotech stands well-positioned to become a leading name in India’s defense and surveillance innovation landscape. Though still early in its growth curve with modest revenues, the firm’s deeptech foundation, government alignment, and investor backing make it a startup to watch closely in the years ahead.
“This investment isn’t just about capital—it’s about building strategic capacity for the future of defense and aerospace,” noted Arpit Agarwal of Blume Ventures.
In a domain where AI, optics, and national security intersect, Optimized Electrotech may just be a crucial enabler of India’s ambition to not only safeguard its borders but to lead the next era of smart defense technology. For more details related to IPO GMP, SEBI IPO Approval, and Live Subscription stay tuned to IPO Central.