“I am a proud investor”: Anand Mahindra backs Agnikul Cosmos as it test-fires 3 semi-cryogenic rocket engines in clustered configuration

Industrialist Anand Mahindra recently disclosed that he is an investor in Chennai-based space startup Agnikul Cosmos.

Anand Mahindra backs Agnikul Cosmos

“I am a proud investor in this ambitious startup,” Mahindra wrote on the social media platform X.

Mahindra’s disclosure comes as Agnikul marked a major propulsion milestone.

“The returns from this investment go far beyond financial rewards,” he added. “It’s about getting a ringside seat to watch the literal ‘take-off’ of Indian talent.”

The company announced that it has successfully test-fired three semi-cryogenic rocket engines simultaneously as a clustered configuration, a first-of-its-kind achievement in India, according to the startup.

All three engines were fully 3D-printed as single-piece hardware units and designed and manufactured in-house at the Agnikul Rocket Factory.

Like the company’s other propulsion systems, the engines are powered by electric motor-driven pumps, reflecting Agnikul’s focus on advanced, indigenous engineering.

The test was technically complex, involving calibrating six pumps and six motors, and fine-tuning six independent speed control algorithms to function in perfect synchronisation.

The goal was to achieve uniform startup, steady-state operation and shutdown performance across the entire clustered system.

Agnikul shared that this is the first time in India that semi-cryogenic engines have been fired together in a clustered test configuration.

The company expressed gratitude for the institutional backing it has received from the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), both of which have been instrumental in enabling private players to access infrastructure and technical support.

I am a proud investor in this ambitious startup.

The returns from this investment go far beyond financial rewards.

It’s about getting a ringside seat to watch the literal ‘take-off’ of Indian talent… https://t.co/YBBfeLeXSf

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 28, 2026

About Agnikul Cosmos

Founded in 2017 and incubated at IIT Madras, Agnikul is developing small satellite launch vehicles aimed at providing flexible and cost-effective access to space. The successful clustered engine test marks a crucial step toward scaling its launch capabilities.

"Thank you, Sir for believing in us very early,” the company replied to Anand Mahindra. “Thank you for believing world class original space tech can be designed and built in India with the support of ISRO and IN-SPACe. Thank you for believing in our team.”

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