Jaipur | Rajshree Upadhyaya | Ahmad Faraaz, Sashakt Tripathi, and Harshit Awasthi established the space defense technology startup Kalam Labs in 2021 and created a strong identity in the deep-tech sector. All three founders were students at BITS Pilani and shared a keen interest in India’s future in aerospace engineering and defense technology. What initially started as a student-led initiative gradually evolved into one of the most unique deep-tech startups to appear on Shark Tank India.
Based in Lucknow, the company gained national attention after presenting its futuristic near-space systems on Shark Tank India Season 5. In its early days, Kalam Labs functioned as a space education and experimentation platform where students could learn aerospace concepts through practical missions and workshops. As the founders explored the field more deeply, they realized that India’s growing need for indigenous surveillance and aerospace systems represented a major opportunity. This realization pushed the company beyond being just an educational platform towards developing advanced defense and near-space technologies.
The company focuses on near-space aerial vehicles, stratospheric drones, surveillance systems, weather monitoring platforms, and lighter-than-air aerospace technologies. Unlike conventional drones, Kalam Labs develops systems capable of operating in the stratosphere at altitudes of nearly 43 kilometers above Earth. These high-altitude systems are designed to bridge the gap between drones and satellites, offering a comparatively affordable solution for surveillance, reconnaissance, and atmospheric monitoring.
Sharks Were Impressed
by the Founders’ Technical Depth and Clarity
Kalam Labs attracted major attention during its Shark Tank India pitch when the founders asked for Rs. 2 crore in exchange for 0.67 percent equity, valuing the company at Rs. 300 crore. Their presentation immediately stood apart from the consumer-focused brands usually seen on the show. Instead of lifestyle or food products, the founders showcased launch footage of high-altitude systems and explained how their technology could support defense operations and scientific research.
One of the most notable highlights of the pitch was the founders’ claim that Kalam Labs had already completed more than 60 launches. They also stated that their systems had worked on weather-related projects with the India Meteorological Department and on surveillance applications in sensitive border areas. According to the founders, these aerial platforms can remain operational for extended periods and are difficult to detect using traditional radar systems, making them valuable for strategic defense applications.
The Sharks were impressed by the founders’ technical expertise and clarity, although several investors questioned the aggressive valuation and the long development cycles typically associated with aerospace startups. After multiple rounds of discussion, Aman Gupta decided to support the company, making Kalam Labs one of the most talked-about pitches of the season. Their appearance also helped bring mainstream attention to India’s growing deep-tech startup ecosystem.
Startup Focuses on Developing Indigenous Near-Space Systems
Beyond Shark Tank India, the company continued developing its own flight control systems, avionics, and hydrogen-powered aerial technologies. Startup databases, industry reports, and the company’s public profiles indicate that Kalam Labs is expected to remain operational through 2026. The startup continues positioning itself as a defense and aerospace technology company focused on building indigenous near-space systems in India.
The journey of Kalam Labs reflects a larger transformation taking place within India’s startup ecosystem, where founders are increasingly moving beyond consumer internet businesses into highly technical sectors such as aerospace and defense manufacturing. For Ahmad Faraaz and his co-founders, the company represents much more than just a business venture. It is an effort to prove that advanced aerospace innovations capable of competing globally can be designed and developed entirely in India.
