Velmenni, a deep-tech startup focused on light-based wireless communication, has secured Rs 30 crore (approximately $3.3 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by pi Ventures. The round also saw participation from MountTech Growth Fund-Kavachh and Apekso.
This marks another significant milestone for the Delhi-based company, which had earlier raised Rs 30 crore in a seed funding round. In addition, it received around Rs 7 crore in grants from the Department of Telecommunications through initiatives such as the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), as well as support from the Ministry of Defence’s Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) programme.
The company stated that the newly raised capital will be directed toward accelerating the commercial rollout of its patented Free Space Optics (FSO) and Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technologies. It also plans to invest in developing customised solutions tailored for strategic defence and enterprise applications, while expanding its presence in international markets.
Founded in 2014 by Deepak Solanki, Velmenni is working to redefine wireless communication by leveraging light-based technologies. Its solutions are designed to enable secure, high-capacity data transmission for telecom, defence, and enterprise networks, positioning light as a viable alternative to traditional radio frequency systems.
As increasing data consumption continues to put pressure on the limited radio frequency spectrum, Velmenni’s approach uses light and laser-based optical links to transmit data. This eliminates the need for costly spectrum licensing and extensive cable infrastructure, while offering secure and interference-resistant connectivity.
“With an all-weather-tested, 100% Made in India design, we offer over 10Gbps seamless connectivity across ranges of 1-25 km. Whether for a tactical defence setup or a dense urban telecom network, we are providing a reliable, secure, and scalable alternative,” said Deepak Solanki, founder and CEO of Velmenni.
The startup has already demonstrated the practical application of its technology. It deployed India’s first commercial carrier-grade FSO backhaul links to support a private 5G network at a thermal power plant operated by GMR Group in Odisha. The deployment has maintained 99.999% availability for more than 18 months, even under challenging tropical weather conditions.
In the defence segment, the company has secured a multi-million-dollar contract for its specialised FSO solution, which is set to be deployed across Indian submarines to address connectivity challenges in harbour environments.
Velmenni reports that it has completed multiple proof-of-concept projects and executed over 50 live deployments across India, Southeast Asia, and with Tier-1 mobile network operators in the United States. Its product has already received CE certification and is expected to obtain approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which will further support its global expansion plans.
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