Ram Shriram: Google’s First Cheque Writer Helps Birth India’s First Space-Tech Unicorn
Hyderabad, May 7, 2026 – In a landmark moment for India’s emerging private space industry, Skyroot Aerospace has become the country’s first space-tech unicorn. The Hyderabad-based company reached a valuation of $1.1 billion after raising $60 million in a fresh funding round.
The investment was co-led by Ram Shriram’s Sherpalo Ventures and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC. Additional participants included BlackRock, founders of Greenko Group, Arkam Ventures, Playbook Partners, Shanghvi Family Office, and others. Shriram, widely known for writing one of Google’s earliest cheques in 1998, will also join Skyroot’s board.
This development represents a significant full-circle moment for the Indian-origin investor. Shriram, who backed Google when it was little more than an idea from two Stanford students, has now thrown his weight behind India’s ambitious private space ambitions. He continues to serve on Alphabet’s board and remains an influential figure in global technology investing.
Skyroot’s Journey and Vision
Founded in 2018 by former ISRO scientists Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot Aerospace is focused on building affordable and rapid orbital launch capabilities for small satellites. The company aims to reduce dependency on government launch services and provide flexible, on-demand access to space.
Its flagship rocket, Vikram-1 — named after ISRO founder Vikram Sarabhai — is nearing its maiden orbital flight, which would mark India’s first privately developed orbital launch. The fresh capital will accelerate this launch timeline and support the development of the more powerful Vikram-2 rocket.
Skyroot has already demonstrated progress through successful suborbital tests and has emerged as a frontrunner in India’s liberalising space sector. Recent policy reforms have opened up launch services, satellite manufacturing, and related activities to private players, creating a conducive environment for companies like Skyroot.
Strategic Significance
The funding round underscores growing international confidence in India’s space-tech ecosystem. With strong applications in defence, earth observation, communication, and climate monitoring, the sector is attracting serious global capital. Skyroot’s unicorn status positions it as a pioneer in a high-barrier industry that was once the exclusive domain of government agencies.
For Ram Shriram, the investment reflects continued faith in deep-technology ventures with strong technical foundations and large market potential. His involvement brings not just capital but also strategic guidance from one of Silicon Valley’s most respected early-stage investors.
This milestone arrives at a time when India is steadily expanding its presence in the global space economy. As Skyroot prepares for its orbital debut, the achievement signals a maturing startup ecosystem capable of tackling complex, capital-intensive challenges in frontier technologies.
The success of Skyroot is being celebrated as a major win for Indian entrepreneurship in deeptech and a validation of the country’s evolving space policy framework.
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