At just 28, Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Bengaluru-based Pixxel Space Technologies, has become one of India's leading entrepreneurs in the private space sector. Born in Aldur, Chikkamagaluru, his company recently became the first Indian space startup to secure a NASA contract for hyperspectral Earth observation data. In this interview, Ahmed speaks about his childhood, his inspiration, meeting Elon Musk, founding Pixxel and his vision for India's space future.

Q: You grew up in Aldur, a small town in Chikkamagaluru. How did your fascination with space begin?

Awais Ahmed: My father regularly took me to local libraries and bookshops and bought me children's science encyclopaedias. I was fascinated by stories about the solar system, nebulae, black holes and space exploration. Those books sparked my curiosity long before we had internet access in our village. My parents always encouraged me to pursue what genuinely interested me.

Q: How did your education shape your journey into the space industry?

Awais Ahmed: I studied at Akshara Public School in Aldur, later at Purna Prajna School in Sangameshwar Pete, and completed my pre-university education in Mangaluru. I then joined BITS Pilani, where I pursued mathematics and manufacturing engineering. During college, I became part of a student satellite programme and worked alongside ISRO scientists. That experience gave me practical exposure to satellite development and convinced me that space technology was the field I wanted to pursue.

Q: You often mention your visit to SpaceX as a turning point. What happened there?

Awais Ahmed: In 2017, I was the engineering lead of Hyperloop India, and our team qualified for the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition in Los Angeles. Visiting SpaceX, touring its rocket facilities and meeting Elon Musk changed my perspective completely. Seeing what private companies could achieve in space technology gave me clarity about my future. I returned determined to build something similar in India.

Q: What inspired you to start Pixxel?

Awais Ahmed: While studying satellite technology, I realised that hyperspectral imaging was still a relatively unexplored area. It has enormous potential because it can detect details that ordinary satellite images cannot. So, even before completing my degree in 2019, I founded Pixxel to build satellites that generate valuable Earth observation data.

Q: Pixxel has achieved several milestones in a short period. How do you look back on the journey?

Awais Ahmed: We have launched nine hyperspectral satellites so far, including six in 2025. One of our biggest milestones was becoming the first Indian private space startup to secure a NASA contract for supplying hyperspectral Earth observation data. We've also raised nearly ₹960 crore from investors, and today our team includes 275 professionals working across India, the United States and Europe.

Q: How can hyperspectral imaging benefit society?

Awais Ahmed: The data collected by our satellites supports sectors such as agriculture, energy, mining and environmental conservation. It helps detect soil quality, crop diseases, mineral resources and environmental changes with much greater precision. Our goal is to build technology that solves real-world problems and benefits humanity.

Q: India's space sector has opened up significantly in recent years. How has that helped startups?

Awais Ahmed: The government's decision to open the space sector to private players and introduce supportive policies has created tremendous opportunities. Access to testing facilities, policy support and investor confidence has helped startups like ours innovate and compete globally.

Q: Your parents made significant sacrifices for your education. What role did they play in your success?

Awais Ahmed: Everything I have achieved began with their belief in me. My father invested whatever he earned in my education, even taking loans and making personal sacrifices. My mother constantly encouraged me to stay focused on my dreams. Their support gave me the confidence to pursue a career that once seemed impossible.

Q: What is your vision for the future of Pixxel and India's space industry?

Awais Ahmed: I want Pixxel to help position India as a global leader in space technology. We aim to build advanced satellite systems that not only strengthen India's capabilities but also provide data that addresses global challenges such as climate change, food security and sustainable resource management. I believe India's private space ecosystem has only just begun, and the future is incredibly exciting.