Manastu Space secures $3 million in pre-series A funding, Uniphore aims for billion-dollar ARR

Manastu Space has successfully raised $3 million in a pre-series A funding round, with the Indian Angel Network taking the lead. Key investors from IAN, including Jaideep Mehta, Sanjiv Bajaj, and Nitin Zamre, actively participated in this funding event. The capital infusion will be instrumental in propelling Manastu Space's green propulsion system for satellites and expanding its business operations.

Ashtesh Kumar, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Manastu Space, discussed the company's innovative approach, stating, "Our current focus lies in developing a green propulsion system designed to assist satellites in avoiding collisions with space debris. This represents our initial product offering, and we have ambitious plans for the future, including the creation of refueling stations and deorbiting facilities that can extend the lifespan of orbiting satellites."

Umesh Sachdev, the visionary behind the conversational AI platform Uniphore, has celebrated 15 years of pioneering work in the field. Last year, this startup, rooted in both Chennai and Palo Alto, achieved unicorn status and incorporated advanced features such as emotion AI and a vertical data stack into its AI platform. Today, Uniphore unveiled its AI Innovation Hub in Chennai, where its remarkable journey commenced back in 2008. In an engaging conversation with CNBC-TV18's Jude Sannith, Sachdev delves into Uniphore's recent acquisitions and outlines a strategic roadmap to reach a billion dollars in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR).