Andhra lands twin mega investments

The State gets Rs 1000 crore investment push

1. The IISc-incubated startup has been allotted 120.76 acres of land at the Industrial Park in Thimmasamudram, Anantapur district
2. SpaceFields develops next-generation rocket propulsion systems and solid propellants for defence, aerospace and space applications

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh has secured another major investment in the aerospace and defence sector, with Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup SpaceFields Pvt. Ltd. set to establish an advanced Solid Propellant (Rocket Fuel) Processing Facility in Anantapur district. The project is expected to strengthen India’s indigenous capabilities in strategic propulsion technologies while generating around 300 high-skilled direct employment opportunities.

The IISc-incubated startup has been allotted 120.76 acres of land at the Industrial Park in Thimmasamudram, Anantapur district, following approval by the State Investment Promotion Committee (SIPC) and the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB). Commercial production at the facility is targeted to commence by July 2028.

Founded in 2021 by Apurwa Masook, Rounak Agrawal and Sudarshan Samal, SpaceFields develops next-generation rocket propulsion systems and solid propellants for defence, aerospace and space applications. The company has rapidly emerged as a significant player in India’s growing space-tech ecosystem, securing four contracts under the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme while developing multiple patented indigenous propulsion technologies. The startup has also attracted strong investor confidence. It recently raised Rs 42 crore ($5 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Globaz Technologies, with participation from Rockstud Capital, Venture Catalysts++, Rainmatter, SIDBI, MeitY Startup Hub and several leading angel investors.

Given the specialised nature of rocket propellant manufacturing and stringent safety requirements, the project will be developed on a dedicated campus with extensive safety buffers. The Andhra Pradesh government will provide essential external infrastructure, including road connectivity, high-voltage power supply and water facilities. Welcoming the investment, Education, IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh said the project reflects Andhra Pradesh’s growing prominence in advanced manufacturing.

“The next generation of manufacturing will be driven by deep-tech companies working at the intersection of defence, space and advanced engineering. SpaceFields is a great example of this new India. Andhra Pradesh is committed to creating an ecosystem where such companies can move rapidly from innovation to large-scale manufacturing. This investment is another step towards building a globally competitive aerospace and defence manufacturing hub in the state,” the Minister said. The project is expected to further strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s position as a preferred destination for aerospace, defence and space manufacturing while supporting India’s goal of achieving technological self-reliance in critical strategic sectors.