Sign up for the Daily Newsletter, sent exclusively to our Premium subscribers. We break down the big and messy topics of Asia’s tech and startup community. Get the newsletter in your inbox everyday with a Premium subscription.
Hello reader,
Human progress owes a lot to exploration. A globally interconnected world wouldn’t exist if our ancestors hadn’t stepped out of their caves in search of food and resources millions of years ago. History is chock-full of tales where pioneers explore new frontiers for humankind.
Around 65,000 years ago, humans first ventured out of their home continent. Our species’ long history of exploration has seen us explore Earth’s mighty oceans, roam its skies, set foot on the Moon, and even found what looks like an “alien doorway” on Mars.
Now, once again, we’re at the edge of the next great unknown: space.
Despite our progress in the area, our knowledge of what lies beyond the earth’s atmosphere is still miniscule. Astronomers estimate that there are roughly 10,000 stars in the universe for each grain of sand on Earth – its sheer vastness is at once beautiful and terrifying.
Nonetheless, we have to start somewhere, and it seems like India’s private sector is finally warming up to the task. Despite making up just 2% to the US$440 billion global space industry, the number of India-based startups in this field rose to 47 firms in 2021 – a significant jump from 11 startups in 2019.
As more and more Indian spacetech firms bag funding, we shine the spotlight today on Dhruva Space, a startup currently in talks with investors to raise up to US$25 million in a series A round of funding.
Today we look at:
- The ongoing series A round of an Indian spacetech firm
- Terraform’s blueprint for a new lease of life after Luna’s overnight crash
- Other newsy highlights such as Temasek’s big ecommerce bet and ByteDance’s “interest matching” function
Also, if you’re an entrepreneur looking for funding, fill out this form to get your company featured on our list of fundraising startups.
Premium summary
Among the stars
Image credit: Timmy Loen
Perseverance is a key trait among successful entrepreneurs. Most of them would likely highlight their hardships and failures as a turning point. To succeed despite adversity makes for a tantalizing tale, and Dhruva Space is one among them.
Forking away
Tech in Asia School
Quick bytes
Stay updated on the go with our mobile app.
Get latest insights with smoother, more personalized experience through TIA mobile app.
