Bengaluru Deep-Tech Startup Selected for ₹70-Crore National Photonics Development Programme

Bengaluru's deep-tech startup ecosystem received a major boost as advanced photonics and defense technology company Olee.space was selected by the Union Government as the official development-cum-production partner (DCPP) for a national photonics development initiative valued at ₹70 crore. The 24-month programme aims to transition high-precision optical and photonic technologies from research and development phases into commercial-scale engineering, system integration, fabrication, and production. Photonics, which encompasses technology based on the manipulation and transmission of light, plays a pivotal role in next-generation telecommunications, quantum computing, aerospace navigation, satellite communication, and industrial automation. Under this initiative, Olee.space will lead key developments in optical sources, precision optical components, photonic architectures, and scalable domestic supply chains, addressing critical technological gaps in India’s high-tech manufacturing sector. Progress will be monitored through structured, milestone-based evaluation frameworks. The selection highlights Bengaluru's growing position as a premier hub for hard-tech and deep-tech innovation in South Asia. By developing indigenous capabilities in precision optics and photonic architecture, the project aims to reduce India's dependence on imported semiconductor and optical hardware while establishing robust domestic manufacturing infrastructure for both strategic defense applications and commercial tech industries.