Securing the space age: Pramatra Space is building quantum-resilient communication
As quantum computing threatens to break today’s encryption systems, Bengaluru startup Pramatra Space is working on satellite-based quantum key distribution using an in-house photonics chip.
Bengaluru-based Pramatra Space is working on a problem that feels straight out of the future, but is quickly becoming urgent: securing digital systems in a world where quantum computers could one day break today’s encryption.
The startup has developed an in-house photonics chip that generates encryption keys using the physics of quantum entanglement, with the aim of making enterprises quantum-resilient.
Founder and CEO Richa Hukumchand, formerly a scientist with DRDO and CIO at spacetech startup Pixxel, says the shift into quantum security came from working closely with sensitive satellite data.
“When I was at Pixxel, I was handling sensitive imaging data captured around the world. I realised there was no next-gen security layer for such sensitive payloads. That’s what led me into quantum communications,” she says.
In the middle of 2023, she co-founded Pramatra Space with Vinay Hukumchand. The timing aligned. The same year saw a rise in global attention on quantum systems after the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded for work on quantum entanglement.
“Even our name has quantum origins. ‘Matra’ means a measurable quantity and ‘pra’ refers to something at the subatomic level,” Richa says.
The 11-member Bengaluru startup was selected for the Techstar Base Accelerator program in the US in 2024.
Building for the ‘Q Day’ problem
Pramatra Space is targeting what the industry calls “Q Day”, the point at which quantum computers may break current encryption systems, making today’s digital security obsolete.
According to a Capgemini report, six in 10 ‘early adopters’ of quantum-safe technologies predict that “’Q-day” will arrive within five to 10 years”.
To address this, Pramatra Space is working on quantum key distribution via satellites. Its in-house integrated photonics chip generates entangled photons, pairs of light particles linked at a quantum level, which will be used to create secure encryption keys.
These keys are transmitted from low-Earth orbit satellites to optical ground stations, and then delivered to data centres and critical infrastructure.
“We are working with partner companies building the satellite. Our role is focused on satellite subsystem development. We will be payload designers and developers,” she says.
The overarching goal of the spacetech startup is to build a hardware-as-a-service (HaaS) model, which will also be a full spectrum quantum security company with a focus on space-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). It will have its own constellation of QKD satellites in addition to to developing payloads.
A key milestone so far is the validation of its proprietary photonics chip. It is now being integrated into two systems, one for the ground-based data centres and another for space deployment.
“Both devices are in system integration. The data centre product should be completed in three months and the space product by the end of the year. We have also booked an in-orbit demonstration for 2027,” she says. If timelines hold, a commercial satellite grid could follow by 2028.
The startup is also working on undisclosed projects with the government of India. Competing with players like Bengaluru-based QNu Labs, Richa believes Pramatra’s approach makes it stand apart.
“We were one of the first in the country to bet on satellite-based quantum encryption. Many systems still rely on bulky, traditional methods that struggle with long-distance security. Our chip works across both fiber and free-space networks. That hybrid capability sets us apart,” she says.
Global ambition, growing market
Pramatra Space is also looking beyond India. It has already signed an MoU with Infostellar Inc., Japan’s pioneering Ground Segment-as-a-Service (GSaaS) company, to jointly develop networks linking quantum key distribution ground stations for secure space communications.
COO Vinay believes the timing is right for spacetech players like Pramatra.
“We are evolving at a time when the industry is finally ready to use space-delivered products at scale. That makes this a great time for companies like us,” he says.
Richa believes security becomes even more critical as AI drives demand for larger and more powerful data centres. The startup’s technology can help secure GPUs and data infrastructure against future mega threats.
Pramatra Space has raised an undisclosed pre-seed round led by Seafund Ventures. It is preparing for a seed round in the coming months.
“Once we raise that round, it will fund our commercial satellite launch and help scale our ground systems for data centers,” Richa signs off.
Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti