Pixxel CEO Defends Indian Ownership Following US Expansion Criticism
Pixxel CEO Awais Ahmed has publicly clarified the startup's corporate structure, asserting that the firm remains under Indian control despite the launch of a new US-based subsidiary.
Bengaluru-based space-tech firm Pixxel is facing scrutiny regarding its national identity following the formation of 'Pixxel Federal,' a new subsidiary intended to secure US government contracts. Critics have questioned whether the company is shifting its focus away from its Indian roots to accommodate American regulatory requirements in the defense and intelligence sectors.
CEO Awais Ahmed stated on social media that the company remains headquartered, managed, and controlled in India. According to Ahmed, the primary Indian entity, established in 2018, retains control over domestic government and defense programs. He noted that the new US subsidiary is a standard measure for complying with international export controls and security regulations, rather than a move to offload operational control.
Ahmed also addressed concerns regarding the company’s capitalization, noting that the largest collective shareholding remains with Indian investors, including the founders. While the firm plans to expand its presence globally, it maintains that its hyperspectral imaging intellectual property developed for Indian state projects stays under domestic jurisdiction.
This controversy follows remarks from competitor GalaxEye, which recently emphasized its own single-entity corporate structure in India, contrasting its approach with peers operating across multiple jurisdictions. Pixxel, which recently raised $100 million in Series C funding, maintains that its long-term objective is to go public on Indian stock exchanges.