PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SPACE VENTURE CAPITAL FUND - 5th August 2026 - Department of Space - Gazette Notification PDF
Issued by Department of Space
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Department of Space on 5th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary This report details a parliamentary reply regarding the Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF), a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund designed to provide equity capital to emerging space-tech startups. Since obtaining SEBI approval on October 31, 2025, the fund has received ₹188.93 Crores in contributions from IN-SPACe as of July 24, 2026. As of August 2026, three startups have been selected for investment to support the commercialization and scaling of Indian space technologies.
Key Points / Main Content
Fund Structure and Regulatory Status
- Establishment: The AVCF is established as a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
- Operational Timeline: The fund commenced operations following SEBI approval on October 31, 2025.
- Regulatory Compliance: Investments are governed by SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, the Private Placement Memorandum, and specific fund clauses (2.7.2 and 2.7.3).
Financial Contributions
- Total Funding: As of July 24, 2026, total contributions from IN-SPACe stand at ₹188.93 Crores.
- Current Fiscal Year: A specific contribution of ₹182.87 Crore was made during FY 2026-27.
- Allocation Basis: Contributions are made by IN-SPACe based on investment requirements communicated by the Fund Manager.
Investment Strategy and Objectives
- Primary Goal: To provide equity capital to emerging space-tech startups at various development stages.
- Focus Areas: Support for technology development, commercialization of new technologies, and scaling of operations.
- Current Activity: The Investment Committee has already selected three startups for investment.
- National Ambition: The strategy aims to empower startups to contribute to India’s broader space ambitions.
Performance and Economic Assessment
- Growth Metrics: There is currently no quantified estimate for the percentage growth in the space economy attributable solely to the fund.
- Future Evaluation: The overall impact on the space economy will be assessed over time based on the performance of the portfolio startups and companies.
Impact Analysis
Space-tech Startups Impact Eligible startups gain access to critical equity capital required for scaling operations and developing new technologies. Action Required Startups must align their development and commercialization goals with the Fund’s Investment Objective and Strategy to qualify for selection by the Investment Committee.
IN-SPACe Impact Acts as the primary contributor to the AVCF, facilitating the flow of capital into the private space sector. Action Required Provide financial contributions to the fund based on the requirements communicated by the Fund Manager in accordance with the Contribution Agreement.
Indian Space Economy Impact The sector stands to benefit from increased commercialization and technological advancement, though the exact growth impact is yet to be quantified. Action Required Relevant authorities must conduct periodic assessments of the space economy based on the long-term performance of the fund’s portfolio companies.