Nova Spectral AI secures $2.3 million for infrared sensor chip development

Bengaluru-based Nova Spectral AI has raised ₹21.2 Cr ($2.3 million) in a seed funding round led by Shastra VC, with participation from Equirus InnovateX Fund and angel investors. The company, founded in 2024 by IIT Kanpur alumni Anish Priyadarshi and Sanjeev Kumar, intends to use the capital to scale its engineering team and develop a field-ready prototype within 18 months.

The startup is focused on designing short-wave infrared (SWIR) image sensor chips that utilize colloidal quantum dots and standard silicon CMOS manufacturing processes. This approach aims to replace imported indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) sensors, which are currently the industry standard but are costly and dependent on complex supply chains. The technology is intended for use in drones, robotics, and autonomous vehicles to improve visibility in low-light, smoke, and haze.

CEO Anish Priyadarshi stated that the company aims to establish a domestic supply chain for quantum dot materials and readout chips. The move aligns with India's broader policy push for local semiconductor design and the growth of its indigenous defense electronics sector.

The investment underscores increasing investor interest in India’s deeptech sector. With government support for hardware and sensor manufacturing, firms like Nova Spectral AI are attracting capital as they look to build scalable, locally produced alternatives to foreign sensing technology.