Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Delhi-based deep-tech startup Velmenni has secured Rs 30 crore (around $3.3 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by pi Ventures, with participation from MountTech Growth Fund-Kavachh and Apekso, the company announced.
The latest funding comes after the company raised an equal amount during its seed round, along with Rs 7 crore in government grants from the Department of Telecommunications (DCIS, TTDF) and the Ministry of Defence under its iDEX initiative.
Velmenni said the fresh capital will be directed toward accelerating the commercialization of its proprietary Free Space Optics (FSO) and Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technologies. The company also plans to develop tailored solutions for defence and enterprise applications while expanding its presence in global markets.
Founded in 2014 by Deepak Solanki, Velmenni focuses on light-based wireless communication systems designed to deliver secure, high-speed connectivity. Its technology targets telecom, defence, and enterprise sectors, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional radio frequency-based communication.
With growing data consumption putting pressure on limited radio spectrum, Velmenni’s optical communication systems use light and laser-based links to transmit data. This approach reduces dependency on costly spectrum licenses and eliminates the need for physical cable infrastructure, while enhancing security and minimizing interference.
Velmenni’s Funding Signals Shift Beyond 5G
According to Solanki, the company’s systems are built entirely in India and can deliver speeds exceeding 10 Gbps across distances ranging from 1 to 25 kilometers. He added that the solutions are designed to function reliably across varying conditions, supporting both defence operations and urban telecom networks.
Velmenni has already demonstrated its capabilities through real-world deployments. It has implemented India’s first commercial carrier-grade FSO backhaul links to support a private 5G network at a GMR thermal power plant in Odisha, achieving 99.999% uptime over 18 months in challenging tropical conditions.
In the defence segment, the company has secured a multi-million-dollar contract to deploy its specialized FSO technology across Indian submarines, addressing connectivity limitations in harbour environments.
Velmenni reports over 50 live deployments and multiple successful proof-of-concept projects across India, Southeast Asia, and with Tier-1 telecom operators in the United States. Its products have received CE certification, with FCC approval expected soon.
