What olee.space does

Olee.space is a Pune-based deep-tech defence startup founded in 2023 by IIT Bombay alumni James Solomon and Suman Hiremath. The company develops high-power fibre laser systems for two commercial applications: directed energy weapons (DEW) for drone neutralisation, and free-space optical communication (FSOC) systems for secure, jam-proof military communications. Its product portfolio includes an anti-drone laser system with up to 6 km range and sub-three-second detection-to-engagement time, a 2 kW AI-enabled laser sniper mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with autonomous navigation and swarm capabilities, and a wireless laser communication system delivering 10 Gbps over 20 km with 99.9%+ link availability. All products are built with approximately 85% indigenous components manufactured primarily in Pune, aligning with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat defence self-reliance policy.

The company commercialised two products within six months of founding, generating approximately $0.5 million in early revenue. Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales through partnerships with larger Indian defence firms and live demonstrations at defence symposia attended by senior government officials. Internationally, olee.space has granted Drone Major exclusive channel rights to integrate and sell its anti-drone technology in UK, US, and EU markets, with initial deployment planned at UK airports and Critical National Infrastructure sites. The company raised approximately $3 million in seed funding in 2025 from Rockstud Capital (lead) and IIMA Ventures, with capital earmarked for scaling production and expanding the defence technology roadmap. Former Bharat Electronics (BEL) Chairman and Managing Director V. Gowtama Mannava joined as Strategic Production Advisor, signalling investment in defence-grade manufacturing scale.

Name

olee.space

Legal name

olee.space

Website

https://olee.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Olee.space is a Pune-based deep-tech defence startup developing high-power fibre laser systems for directed energy weapons and secure free-space optical communications, serving military and critical infrastructure customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Directed Energy Weapons and Laser Communications

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Directed Energy Weapons (Laser/HPM) Systems (IMABAOAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space Defense & Missile Warning (BPAIAHAF), Military Power Supplies, RF/Microwave Components & Ruggedized Electronics (IMABAGAJ)

Keywords

• Directed energy weapons
• Anti-drone laser systems
• Free-space optical communication
• Laser communication systems
• Defense laser technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Pune

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defence Technology Products: Sale of commercially available laser communication systems and directed energy weapons. The company commercialized two products within six months of founding, generating approximately $0.5 million in revenue.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Olee.space designs, manufactures, and sells directed energy weapons (high-power fibre-laser anti-drone systems and AI-enabled laser snipers mounted on unmanned ground vehicles) and Free-Space Optical Communication systems for secure, high-bandwidth wireless links. Its offerings target defence and security customers, with anti-drone lasers delivering sub-3-second engagement at under £1 per interception and FSOC systems transmitting 10 Gbps over 20 km. Manufacturing is executed in Pune with approximately 85% indigenous component content.

Product overview

Olee.space is a deep-tech defence startup that has commercialised two primary product lines within six months of founding: directed energy weapons (including anti-drone laser systems and AI-enabled laser snipers mounted on UGVs) and wireless laser communication systems. The company operates a platform-plus-modules architecture with core laser weapon products designed for drone neutralisation and perimeter defence, complemented by optical communication systems for secure strategic communications. All products feature high indigenous content (approximately 85%) manufactured in Pune, India, and are designed for integration with existing defence infrastructure worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Anti-Drone Laser System
• AI Laser Sniper on UGV
• Wireless Laser Communication System

Quantifiable outcome

• Cost reduction from £150,000+ per drone interception to under £1
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Drone MajorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDrone Major has partnered with olee.space to deploy anti-drone laser technology at UK airports and Critical National Infrastructure. Drone Major holds exclusive rights to integrate and sell the system in UK, US, and EU markets.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Israeli defence prime and developer of the Drone Dome counter-UAS system and Iron Dome, both of which use directed-energy and laser technologies to neutralise aerial threats. Directly comparable to olee.space as a counter-drone laser weapon vendor targeting military and critical-infrastructure customers.
• DroneShield: Australian counter-drone specialist offering DroneGun, DroneSentry, and related RF/effect-based solutions to military and critical-infrastructure customers globally. Comparable as a direct counter-drone peer addressing overlapping use cases (airports, CNI, military bases) and overlapping customer segments.
• EOS Defence Systems: Australian developer of high-energy laser counter-drone and counter-artillery systems (e.g. Titanis). Directly comparable as a directed-energy weapon vendor targeting similar military and homeland-security customers.
• Anduril Industries: US defence-tech company with AI-enabled counter-UAS systems (Roadrunner, Lattice) integrating autonomous detection and kinetic/effect-based defeat. Comparable as an AI-enabled, deep-tech counter-drone peer targeting similar military and homeland-security buyers with integrated autonomous capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Lockheed Martin: US defence prime developing HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-dazzler and Surveillance) and other directed-energy weapon systems for counter-drone and counter-rocket applications. A broad incumbent with overlapping capability in high-energy laser weapons and integrated air defence.
• Raytheon (RTX): US defence prime with a portfolio of directed-energy and counter-UAS programmes including high-energy laser systems for the US Army. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the same procurement competitions olee.space will face.
• L3Harris Technologies: US defence prime with directed-energy, counter-UAS, and secure optical communication programmes serving military and intelligence customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent across multiple of olee.space's product domains.

Regional players

• Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL): India's premier defence electronics PSU and primary supplier to the Indian Armed Forces. Comparable as the Indian regional incumbent whose customer relationships and procurement pathways olee.space must navigate, and with whom olee.space's strategic advisor (former CMD) provides direct linkage.
• Tonbo Imaging: India-based deep-tech defence company developing imaging, surveillance, and counter-UAS solutions. Comparable as an Indian regional deep-tech defence peer serving overlapping military customers and targeting similar indigenous-content / Atmanirbhar positioning.

Emerging players

• Mynaric: Specialist in free-space optical communication terminals for airborne and space applications. Comparable as an emerging player in laser-based secure communications — adjacent to olee.space's FSOC communications product line — serving defence and commercial space customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/olee_space

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about olee.space