Nova Spectral AI Secures $2.3 Million Seed Funding for Infrared Sensor Development

Bengaluru-based startup Nova Spectral AI has raised ₹21.2 crore, approximately $2.3 million, in a seed funding round led by Shastra VC. The round also included participation from Equirus InnovateX Fund and several angel investors. The company, founded earlier this year by IIT Kanpur alumni Anish Priyadarshi and Sanjeev Kumar, intends to use the capital to expand its workforce and develop a field-ready prototype within 18 months.

Developing Indigenous Sensor Technology

Nova Spectral AI focuses on creating short-wave infrared (SWIR) image sensor chips. The company utilizes colloidal quantum dots and standard silicon CMOS manufacturing processes. This technology is designed to assist drones, surveillance systems, robotics, and autonomous vehicles in capturing images in low-light environments, as well as through obstacles such as smoke, haze, and dust.

The startup aims to provide a domestic alternative to existing infrared sensors, which currently rely on imported indium gallium arsenide technology. CEO Anish Priyadarshi stated that the company’s roadmap includes manufacturing both the quantum dot materials and the readout chips within India to reduce dependency on foreign imports for military and civilian applications.

Context of India’s Deeptech Sector

The investment reflects broader trends in India’s deeptech industry, which has seen increased interest in hardware and domestic semiconductor design. Government policies supporting indigenization and defense electronics manufacturing have contributed to this focus. According to industry data, deeptech startups raised $290 million across 28 deals in the third quarter of 2026, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Other venture capital entities, such as Longshot Capital and KRAFTON, have also recently announced plans to deploy capital into the AI, robotics, and deeptech sectors.