Velmenni Secures ₹30 Crore to Address Spectrum and Connectivity Challenges
Deeptech startup Velmenni has raised ₹30 crore in a pre-Series A funding round led by PI Ventures, as it aims to scale its innovative light-based wireless communication technology.
The funding comes at a time when global telecom infrastructure is facing increasing pressure due to spectrum congestion and last-mile connectivity gaps, particularly in densely populated urban environments.
Rethinking Connectivity with Light-Based Technology
Velmenni is building next-generation communication systems using:
- Li-Fi (Light Fidelity)
- Free-space optics
These technologies use light instead of radio frequency (RF) to transmit data, offering a fundamentally different approach to connectivity.
The company’s core idea is to position optical wireless communication as a scalable and efficient alternative to traditional networks such as fibre and RF-based systems.
The Problem: Limits of Fibre and RF Networks
According to founder and CEO Deepak Solanki, existing telecom infrastructure faces two major challenges.
First, fibre deployment in urban areas is difficult due to:
- Lack of space for laying cables
- Complex regulatory approvals
- High time and cost requirements
Second, RF-based communication systems are constrained by:
- Limited spectrum availability
- High licensing costs
- Network congestion
These limitations make it difficult to achieve reliable, high-speed, and ubiquitous connectivity.
How Velmenni’s Solution Works
Velmenni’s technology leverages light to transmit data through open space, eliminating the need for physical cables or spectrum allocation.
This approach offers several advantages:
- Faster deployment compared to fibre
- No dependency on licensed spectrum
- High-speed data transmission
- Enhanced security due to directional communication
By combining Li-Fi and free-space optics, the company aims to create flexible and cost-efficient communication networks.
Key Use Cases Across Industries
Velmenni’s technology has applications across multiple sectors where reliable and secure connectivity is critical.
Telecom
Improving last-mile connectivity in dense urban areas and remote locations
Enterprise
Enabling secure, high-speed communication within campuses and facilities
Defence
Providing secure and interference-resistant communication systems
Addressing the Last-Mile Connectivity Gap
One of the biggest challenges in telecom today is the “last-mile” problem—delivering high-speed connectivity from main networks to end users.
Velmenni’s optical wireless solutions can:
- Bypass infrastructure bottlenecks
- Reduce deployment time
- Lower costs for operators
This makes it particularly relevant for regions where traditional infrastructure expansion is slow or impractical.
Strategic Importance in a Data-Driven World
As data consumption continues to grow, existing infrastructure is struggling to keep up.
Velmenni’s approach addresses two critical issues:
- Spectrum scarcity
- Infrastructure limitations
By offering an alternative medium for data transmission, the startup is positioning itself at the intersection of deeptech, telecom, and next-generation connectivity.
What the Funding Will Enable
The ₹30 crore funding will help Velmenni:
- Scale its technology deployment
- Expand commercial use cases
- Strengthen product development
- Accelerate adoption across industries
This marks a key step in transitioning from innovation to large-scale implementation.
Final Thoughts
Velmenni’s funding highlights a broader shift toward alternative communication technologies as traditional systems reach their limits.
By using light as a medium for data transmission, the company is addressing some of the most pressing challenges in modern connectivity.
If successfully scaled, Velmenni’s technology could play a significant role in shaping the future of wireless communication, particularly in environments where conventional solutions fall short.
