ULOOK Technologies: The Bengaluru Startup Building an Autonomous RF Intelligence Swarm in Space

In a significant leap for India’s private space sector, Bengaluru-based ULOOK Technologies has secured ₹19 crore (approximately $2.3 million) in a seed funding round. The investment was co-led by prominent venture capital firms growX Ventures and InfoEdge Ventures, signaling strong investor confidence in a new frontier of spacetech: autonomous satellite swarms for radio-frequency (RF) intelligence.

This funding marks a pivotal moment, moving beyond the established domains of earth imaging and launch vehicles into the sophisticated realm of real-time, dynamic signal intelligence from space.

The Vision: A Swarm in the Sky for a Clearer Picture on Earth

Founded in 2024 by Siddhesh Naik (CEO) and Adheesh Boratkar (CTO), both IIT alumni with deep expertise in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, UAV swarms, and high-altitude platforms, ULOOK is tackling a critical gap in remote sensing.

While companies like Pixxel excel in optical and hyperspectral imaging, and others focus on radar, these methods have limitations. They can be thwarted by cloud cover, darkness, or deliberate concealment. This is where ULOOK’s technology becomes indispensable.

The company is developing a constellation of small satellites that operate as an autonomous swarm, equipped with its proprietary PulseTrack payload suite. This system is designed to detect, identify, and geolocate radio frequency (RF) signals emitted by various sources on Earth, in the air, and at sea.

The “Magic” of RF Sensing: Applications That Change the Game

ULOOK’s technology unlocks a world of applications that are difficult or impossible with traditional sensing methods. Its real-time RF situational awareness enables:

• Maritime Domain Awareness & Dark Ship Detection: Identifying vessels that have turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders, a common tactic used for illicit activities like smuggling, piracy, or illegal fishing. ULOOK’s swarm can detect the ship’s other RF emissions (e.g., radar, communications) to pinpoint its location.
• Disaster Response: In the aftermath of earthquakes or floods when terrestrial communication networks are down, the swarm can map active emergency beacons, locate rescue teams, and identify areas where RF signals have been lost, guiding relief efforts more effectively.
• Environmental Monitoring: Tracking RF signals from industrial sensors to monitor pollution levels or detect unauthorized emissions in protected areas.
• Spectrum Security and Management: Monitoring RF spectrum usage to identify interference, unauthorized transmissions, or potential threats in contested environments, which is of critical importance for national security.

The Fuel for Growth: How the ₹19 Crore Will Be Deployed

This seed funding is not for mere ideation; it is capital to accelerate a highly technical development roadmap. The fresh capital will be strategically deployed to achieve several key milestones:

1. Advanced R&D: Accelerating work on core technologies, including swarm autonomy algorithms, inter-satellite links for seamless communication between satellites, and onboard AI for real-time data processing.
2. Talent Acquisition: Hiring top-tier talent in specialized fields such as RF systems engineering, embedded technology, and machine learning analytics.
3. Payload Qualification and Testing: Rigorously testing and qualifying the PulseTrack payloads to meet the harsh demands of the space environment.
4. UAV-Based Demonstrations: Conducting crucial proof-of-concept tests using high-altitude drones to validate the technology, aiming to reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7—a stage demonstrating a system prototype ready for a space environment.

The ultimate goal is clear: to launch its first operational RF-sensing satellite swarm within the next 12-18 months.

A Strategic Imperative: Aligning with National Missions

ULOOK’s mission resonates deeply with India’s strategic ambitions. It is a prime example of the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision in action, developing sovereign capability in a critical, dual-use technology domain. Furthermore, its heavy reliance on AI and machine learning for swarm autonomy and data analysis aligns perfectly with the objectives of the IndiaAI Mission.

As Manish Gupta of growX Ventures noted, “ULOOK’s pursuit reflects technical excellence and sovereign innovation with global relevance.” This statement underscores that while the technology has clear defense applications, its commercial and humanitarian uses are vast and globally relevant.

The Market Context: India’s Spacetech Ecosystem Takes Flight

ULOOK is entering a vibrant and rapidly expanding market. The global space economy is projected to be a $13 billion+ market for India, exploding by 3x by 2030. While it joins a cohort of pioneering companies like Pixxel (imaging) and Skyroot Aerospace (launch vehicles), ULOOK is carving out a unique and complementary niche. Instead of seeing what’s on Earth, it’s listening to it, creating a new layer of intelligence.

Conclusion: The Swarm is Forming

The successful seed round for ULOOK Technologies is a testament to the growing sophistication and depth of India’s spacetech ecosystem. It proves that Indian startups are capable of moving beyond foundational services to innovate in highly specialized, cutting-edge domains.

For the founders, Siddhesh Naik and Adheesh Boratkar, this is a validation of their deep-tech vision. For the ecosystem, it’s a signal that the next wave of spacetech innovation will be intelligent, interconnected, and autonomous. ULOOK is not just building a satellite; it is orchestrating a collaborative, intelligent swarm that will give India—and the world—a new way to perceive and understand our planet.