Delhi-based optical communication startup Velmenni has raised Rs 30 crore (approximately USD 3.3 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by pi Ventures, while MountTech Growth Fund–Kavachh and Apekso also participated in the investment.
The company stated that it will utilise the newly raised capital to accelerate the commercialisation of its Free Space Optics (FSO) and Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) technologies. Additionally, Velmenni plans to develop customised solutions for defence, and enterprise applications while simultaneously expanding its presence in international markets.
Founded in 2014 by Deepak Solanki, Velmenni focuses on building light-based wireless communication technologies designed to deliver secure and high-capacity connectivity for telecom operators, defence systems, and enterprise networks. Over the years, the company has positioned itself as an innovator in optical wireless communication, an emerging technology that can transform high-speed connectivity infrastructure.
Earlier, the startup had raised Rs 30 crore in a seed funding round. Moreover, it secured nearly Rs 7 crore in government grants from the Department of Telecommunications through initiatives such as the Telecom Technology Development Fund and the Innovations for Defence Excellence programme. These grants further supported the development of its advanced optical communication technologies.
Velmenni’s technology relies on light and laser-based optical links rather than the conventional radio frequency spectrum to transmit data. As a result, this approach enables organisations to bypass costly spectrum licensing and avoid the need for extensive physical cable infrastructure. At the same time, the technology offers interference-free and highly secure communication networks, making it particularly attractive for critical telecom and defence applications.
Solanki said the company’s system can deliver over 10 Gbps connectivity across distances ranging from 1 km to 25 km, offering an alternative for dense urban telecom networks and strategic defence applications.
Meanwhile, Velmenni has already demonstrated the real-world capabilities of its technology through large-scale deployments. The company deployed India’s first commercial carrier-grade FSO backhaul links for a private 5G network at a thermal power plant operated by GMR Group in Odisha. Notably, the deployment has maintained 99.999 percent availability for more than 18 months despite challenging tropical weather conditions.
In addition, Velmenni has secured a multi-million-dollar order from India’s defence sector for its specialised FSO solution. The technology will be deployed across Indian submarines to address connectivity challenges in harbour environments, further highlighting the strategic importance of optical communication systems in defence operations.
Furthermore, the startup revealed that it has conducted several proof-of-concept deployments and completed more than 50 live installations across India and Southeast Asia, while also working with Tier-1 mobile network operators in the United States. These deployments demonstrate the scalability and reliability of its technology across diverse operational environments.
Velmenni also noted that its product has received CE certification and is currently undergoing the process of obtaining approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Securing this certification could significantly strengthen the company’s ability to expand into global markets and collaborate with international telecom and defence partners.
Velmenni’s latest funding round marks a significant step in accelerating the adoption of light-based wireless communication technologies worldwide. As demand for faster, secure, and spectrum-efficient connectivity continues to grow, the company’s Li-Fi and Free Space Optics solutions could play a critical role in shaping the future of telecom, defence, and enterprise networking infrastructure.
