Physical AI vision company Nova Spectral AI raises Rs 21.15 Cr from Shastra VC
Physical AI vision startup Nova Spectral AI has secured Rs 21.15 crore (approximately $2.25 million) in a seed funding round led by Shastra VC, with participation from Equirus InnovateX Fund and angel investors.
The newly raised capital will be directed towards team expansion and developing a field-ready prototype over the next 18 months, the company said in a press release.
Founded in 2026 by Anish Priyadarshi and Sanjeev Kumar, Nova Spectral AI develops lead-free colloidal quantum dot (cQD) short-wave infrared (SWIR) image sensor chips using standard silicon CMOS technology. Its solutions target defence intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), along with physical AI applications.
The Bengaluru-based startup is working on an indigenous quantum dot SWIR image sensor chip that enables cameras to capture images in challenging conditions, including low light, haze and smoke, where conventional imaging systems may face limitations. The technology can be deployed across drones, surveillance systems, robots and autonomous vehicles.
Nova Spectral AI combines CMOS-compatible manufacturing processes with indium arsenide (InAs) colloidal quantum dots to develop infrared sensors. The company aims to bring down sensor costs by up to 100 times compared with conventional indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) technology.
For defence applications, the technology could enable wider adoption of SWIR imaging across drones and ISR platforms while lowering reliance on imported sensors. The startup is also exploring applications across smartphones, wearables, robotics and automobiles.
Colloidal quantum dot SWIR image sensors manufactured on standard silicon CMOS are emerging as a potential solution to make infrared imaging more cost-effective and scalable across applications that require visibility in difficult environmental conditions.
Another company operating in this segment, SpectraGaze Systems, raised Rs 3.7 crore in a seed funding round led by GVFL to develop indigenous infrared detectors, optical imaging sensors and electro-optical payloads for space and defence applications.
