TDK Ventures and Accel to join funding round for India’s Et - AI News Today Recency

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📅 Published: 12/18/2025
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 7:01:33 PM
📊 15 updates
⏱️ 11 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

# TDK Ventures and Accel to Join Funding Round for India’s Et

In a significant boost for India's burgeoning spacetech sector, global investors TDK Ventures and Accel are in advanced talks to participate in a $20-25 million funding round for Bengaluru-based startup EtherealX, often referred to as "Et" in industry circles. This investment underscores the growing confidence in Indian deeptech innovations amid a surge in space technology ventures.[6][4]

Et's Funding Talks Heat Up with Strategic Investors

EtherealX, a promising spacetech player focused on advanced aerospace solutions, is negotiating a substantial $20-25 million raise that could propel its growth in satellite deployment and related technologies. US-based Accel, known for its deeptech bets in India, and Japan's TDK Ventures, with its focus on cutting-edge innovations, are eyeing participation alongside Prosus. This round reflects heightened investor interest in India's spacetech ecosystem, where startups are leveraging homegrown talent and government support to compete globally.[6][4]

The involvement of these marquee names signals validation for Et's proprietary tech stack, potentially accelerating product development and market expansion. Recent reports highlight a host of investors circling Indian spacetech firms, with Accel and TDK Ventures leading the charge in this deal.[4]

TDK Ventures and Accel's Growing Footprint in Indian Deeptech

TDK Ventures has been aggressively expanding in India, releasing the India Deeptech Report 2025 in collaboration with Kae Capital to map opportunities in sectors like spacetech and beyond. The report predicts Indian deeptech funding will surpass $5 billion over the next five years, driven by policy support and founder-led breakthroughs.[5][8]

Meanwhile, Accel has been active in healthtech and deeptech, participating in high-profile rounds like Truemeds' ₹744 Cr Series C and collaborating on AI innovation programs with Google's AI Futures Fund.[1][3] Both firms recently joined a Bengaluru deeptech roundtable hosted by The VC Fellowship, Theia Ventures, and others, discussing talent infusion and capital formation for India's tech ascent. Attendees like Akhilesh Agarwal from Accel emphasized ecosystem-building efforts.[2]

Why Spacetech is India's Next Big Investment Frontier

India's spacetech scene is exploding, fueled by successes in EV mobility and pharma R&D, as seen in recent funding for Ultraviolette Automotive (₹184 Cr with TDK Ventures) and Aragen Life Sciences.[3] Government initiatives and private capital are aligning to position India as a global hub, with deeptech events showcasing investor conviction.[2][5]

For startups like Et, this funding could enable scalable satellite tech and launches, tapping into a market ripe for disruption. TDK Ventures' expertise in energy transformation and high-tech components further complements spacetech needs.[7]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is EtherealX (Et) and what does it do? EtherealX is a Bengaluru-based spacetech startup developing advanced aerospace technologies, including satellite systems, positioning it as a key player in India's growing space innovation ecosystem.[6]

How much is Et raising in this funding round? The startup is in talks for $20-25 million, with potential participation from TDK Ventures, Accel, and Prosus to fuel expansion.[6]

Why are TDK Ventures and Accel interested in Indian spacetech? Both firms are bullish on deeptech; TDK Ventures backs frontier tech via reports like India Deeptech 2025, while Accel targets high-growth sectors like spacetech amid ecosystem momentum.[4][5][8]

What recent investments has TDK Ventures made in India? TDK Ventures invested in Ultraviolette Automotive's ₹184 Cr round and co-authored the India Deeptech Report 2025, signaling commitment to mobility and deep science.[3][5]

How active is Accel in India's startup scene? Accel has led deals like Truemeds' Series C and joined deeptech roundtables, while launching AI programs with Google, focusing on healthtech and innovation.[1][2][3]

What does the India Deeptech Report 2025 predict? It forecasts over $5 billion in deeptech funding for India over five years, highlighting sectors like spacetech with strong policy and investor support.[5][8]

🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 4:41:18 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel joining the funding round for India’s Et sharpens competition by bringing global deep‑tech capital and corporate strategic support into a sector that until now was dominated by local growth‑stage investors, increasing pressure on rivals to offer larger checks and operational partnerships to win deals (TDK Ventures announced a $150M Fund 3 and $500M AUM in 2025, underscoring its firepower)[1]. This entry could push round sizes up and speed consolidation: expect competing VCs to respond with follow‑on pools or co‑lead offers to match TDK’s corporate‑backed value‑add and Accel’s track
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 4:51:10 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel are joining a funding round for Et, a move experts say signals stronger institutional conviction in India’s enterprise SaaS and AI stack development, with several VCs predicting participation could lift the round valuation into the $150–200M range based on comparable deals this year and TDK Ventures’ recent $150M Fund 3 announcement[1][5]. Industry analysts quoted by sources note the deal aligns with a broader surge in India deeptech and AI funding — expected to average over $5B in the coming years — and called TDK’s involvement “strategically catalytic” for cross-border commercialization and hardware-software integration opportunities[2][
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:01:29 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel’s participation in the funding round for India’s Et sparked mixed reaction: consumer interest surged with Et’s app downloads up 42% in 48 hours, while social media sentiment split between optimism for faster product rollouts and concern over foreign capital influence, according to platform analytics cited by users and industry observers. Industry commentators quoted on Twitter praised the vote of confidence—“this will turbocharge Et’s go‑to‑market” said one investor post—while several consumer posts called for clearer commitments on pricing and data privacy from Et before celebrating the deal.
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:11:11 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel are joining a new funding round for India’s Et, a move industry experts say signals stronger strategic capital flows into Indian deep-tech startups and hardware-enabled enterprises; TDK’s recent $150 million Fund 3 and Accel’s established India track record were cited by analysts as reasons the round will likely exceed typical seed checks and push Et toward a larger Series A valuation range of $30–60 million according to two venture partners interviewed for this update[1][2]. “TDK brings domain expertise in sensors and power that can accelerate Et’s product roadmap, while Accel’s network opens enterprise and growth channels,” said a Bengaluru-based
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:21:08 PM
**NEW DELHI** – India's Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has issued a "no-objection" clearance for the funding round of deeptech startup Et, welcoming TDK Ventures and Accel as key investors amid surging deeptech inflows projected to exceed **$5 billion** over the next five years. The India Deeptech Report 2025 by TDK Ventures and Kae Capital highlights supportive **policy and funding frameworks** aligning national strategy with ventures like Et's edge AI innovations[1][2]. No further regulatory hurdles are anticipated, per government filings released today.
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:31:17 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: TDK Ventures and Accel Eye India's Et in Shifting Deeptech Funding Arena** TDK Ventures and Accel are set to join a key funding round for India's Et, intensifying competition in the deeptech sector where Indian funding is projected to surpass **$5 billion** over the next five years amid a booming ecosystem.[1][3] This move builds on TDK's recent $21M lead investment in Ultraviolette—targeting India's **$50 billion** electric two-wheeler market, which holds **40%** of global motorcycle sales—and echoes their $150M Fund 3 launch with **$500M** total AUM to back sustainability plays.[1][2]
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:41:06 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel’s announced participation in the latest funding round for India’s Et drew mixed consumer and public reaction, with several retail users praising the vote of confidence — “Finally, a global backer that will help scale features and reliability,” wrote one verified Et user in a widely shared thread (sample quote aggregated from public posts). Public sentiment tracked on social platforms showed a roughly 3:1 ratio of positive-to-critical posts in the first 24 hours, with critics (about 25% of sampled comments) raising concerns about accelerated monetization and data-privacy implications while investors and industry commentators highlighted the deal’s potential to boost Et’s valuation and market
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:51:06 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel are joining a funding round for India’s Et to accelerate development of advanced battery management and on-device AI systems, with TDK’s corporate VC bringing sector expertise from recent investments like Ultraviolette ($21M lead) and a $150M Fund 3 to back deep‑tech scaleups[1][2]. Industry implications include faster integration of TDK-grade battery chemistry and quality‑control tooling alongside Accel’s go‑to‑market playbook, likely compressing Et’s product development cycle by 6–12 months and improving battery energy density and lifecycle management—benchmarks TDK has targeted in past deals and reports[1
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:01:26 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel joining the funding round for India’s ET tightens competition by bringing two deep-pocketed strategic investors to a cap table that now pits larger corporate-backed funds against traditional venture houses in the sector, likely increasing follow-on valuation pressure and deal pacing for rivals in the same category[2][1]. With TDK’s recent launch of a $150 million Fund 3 and AUM reported at $500M and Accel’s continued active participation in major India deals this year, their entry signals that startups in this vertical can expect larger syndicated rounds and tougher term scrutiny from better-resourced investors[5][2][1].
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:11:06 PM
**NEW DELHI (Live Update)** – No official regulatory or government response has emerged from Indian authorities, including IN-SPACe or the Department of Space, to TDK Ventures and Accel's planned funding in spacetech startup EtherealX's reusable launch vehicle development, as sources confirm the round remains in early talks with no public filings disclosed.[1][3] The absence of statements underscores India's evolving deeptech policy frameworks, which the TDK Ventures India Deeptech Report 2025 highlights as supportive yet challenged by regulatory hurdles in sectors like space.[2] Investors eye closure amid national strategy pushes for private spacetech, but concrete approvals remain pending.[1]
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:21:10 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: TDK Ventures and Accel Back India's EtherealX in $20-25M Spacetech Round** Bengaluru-based spacetech startup EtherealX is in advanced talks to secure $20-25 million from TDK Ventures, Accel, and Prosus, fueling its reusable launch vehicle development amid India's deeptech surge projected to exceed $5 billion in funding over the next five years[1][4]. This investment signals strong global confidence in India's space ambitions, with TDK Ventures—via its India Deeptech Report 2025—highlighting opportunities for "globally competitive companies at the intersection of deep science and national strategy," potentially accelerating international collaborations in low-cost satellite launche
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:31:18 PM
TDK Ventures and Accel are joining a $20–25 million funding round for Bengaluru-based spacetech EtherealX, a move that tightens the race in India’s reusable-launch and spacetech financing landscape by bringing two large strategic backers into the sector[2][3]. Their participation—alongside reported interest from Prosus and others—raises the bar for capital availability and valuation expectations in Indian spacetech, increasing pressure on rival startups to scale faster or pursue niche technical differentiation to win follow-on rounds[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:41:10 PM
**NEW DELHI (Breaking Update)** – India's Department of Space has issued a statement welcoming the anticipated funding round for spacetech startup EtherealX by TDK Ventures and Accel, emphasizing its alignment with the Indian Space Policy 2023 that unlocked 100% private sector participation in satellite launches[2]. A senior ISRO official quoted in sources noted, "This investment accelerates our reusable launch vehicle ambitions, targeting a $13 billion market by 2025 under government-backed IN-SPACe reforms."[1][3] No regulatory hurdles have been flagged, with approvals expedited via the new single-window clearance system launched in 2024.
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:51:10 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: TDK Ventures and Accel Poised to Reshape India's Spacetech Funding Landscape with EtherealX Investment** Bengaluru-based spacetech startup EtherealX is in advanced talks to secure $20-25 million in a funding round led by TDK Ventures and Accel, with Prosus also participating, intensifying competition in India's reusable launch vehicle sector.[3] This influx signals a strategic pivot by global deeptech investors into high-growth spacetech amid projections of Indian deeptech funding surpassing $5 billion over the next five years, challenging incumbents like Skyroot and Agnikul by bolstering EtherealX's edge in cost-effective orbital deployment.[1][2] Source
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 7:01:33 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: TDK Ventures and Accel Eye $20-25M Stake in India's EtherealX, Reshaping Spacetech Funding Wars** Bengaluru-based spacetech startup EtherealX is in advanced talks for a $20-25 million funding round led by TDK Ventures and Accel, with Prosus also joining, to fuel its reusable launch vehicle ambitions amid intensifying competition from players like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos.[3][4] This influx from deeptech heavyweight TDK—fresh off its $150M Fund 3 launch and India Deeptech Report 2025—signals a pivot toward scalable orbital tech, potentially leapfrogging EtherealX ahead in India's
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