AstronEra
AstronEra (AEII Pvt. Ltd.) is a Pune-based policy and advisory firm founded in 2018 that operates as Technical Secretariat for the Government of Maharashtra's dark sky conservation programme, coordinating dark-sky certification across 11+ pilot sites. Its core offering, the TARA framework, translates international dark sky standards into enforceable multi-departmental regulations for state and district government clients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersPune, India
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What AstronEra does
AstronEra (legal entity AEII Pvt. Ltd.) is a Pune-based, India-focused policy and advisory firm founded in 2018 by Shweta Kulkarni that operates as Technical Secretariat for the Government of Maharashtra's dark sky conservation programme. The company's core offering is the TARA (Trans-departmental Application for Regulated ALAN) framework — a coordinating body that converts international dark sky toolkits into enforceable Maharashtra regulations across 14 government departments (Tourism, Environment, Forest, Energy, Urban Development, Public Works, Public Health, Agriculture, Fisheries, Law, Tribal Development, Finance, Education, Revenue). It anchors a three-phase implementation roadmap (2026–2047) that validates policy at 11–12 pilot sites (Lonar Crater, Pench, Tadoba, Kaas, Koyna, Toranmal, Udmal, Bhandardara, Bhimashankar, Harihareshwar, Melghat, Yawal) before statewide and national scaling.
Underlying technology includes a NASA VIIRS satellite night-sky-brightness mapping platform (12 years of data across 36 Maharashtra districts), Sky Quality Meter (SQM) ground-truth monitoring, and a DarkSky International certification pipeline management system covering four designation types (Dark Sky Park, Reserve, Sanctuary, Community). Supporting product lines include an AstroGuide training programme (target: 500 guides by 2035, partnered with the IAU Office of Astronomy Development), astrotourism circuit development, and commissioned ecological, health, climate, and tourism impact research with academic partners (IIT Bombay, IISER Pune, TIFR Mumbai, TERI, WRI India, IIPH, Wildlife Institute of India).
The business model is exclusively B2G professional services. Revenue is project-based, derived from government work orders, MoU appointments, and administrative sanctions across pilot sites and events such as the MTDC co-designed stargazing festival at Lonar Crater and Harihareshwar (April 2026). Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and all engagements operate on contract/quote-based terms tied to Maharashtra fiscal cycles. The customer base is concentrated in a single state government ecosystem, with AstronEra positioned as the sole Indian entity holding a formal DarkSky International endorsement for Maharashtra.
AstronEra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AstronEra
- Legal name
- AEII Pvt. Ltd.
- Website
- https://astronera.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AstronEra (AEII Pvt. Ltd.) is a Pune-based policy and advisory firm founded in 2018 that operates as Technical Secretariat for the Government of Maharashtra's dark sky conservation programme, coordinating dark-sky certification across 11+ pilot sites. Its core offering, the TARA framework, translates international dark sky standards into enforceable multi-departmental regulations for state and district government clients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AstronEra industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Policy Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Landscape Architectural Services (54132)
- SIC
- Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Lighting Design Services (BPAHAKAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Landscape Lighting Design & Layout (HSAIAHAA), Street Lighting & Area Lighting EPC / Maintenance (EUAEACAH)
Keywords
Where AstronEra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pune
- HQ country
- India
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
AstronEra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Consulting & Technical Secretariat Services: AstronEra is appointed as Technical Secretariat through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra. The firm receives work orders, administrative sanctions, and budget allocations from government departments (Tourism, Forest, Environment) for dark sky certification coordination, policy research, pilot site implementation, and stakeholder engagement. Revenue is project-based, tied to government fiscal cycles and departmental budgets across Phase I (2026-2029).
- Dark Sky Certification Advisory Services: AstronEra provides end-to-end DarkSky International certification advisory to pilot sites — including pre-application preparation, lighting audits, sky quality monitoring, Lighting Management Plan (LMP) development, and retrofit guidance — billed per site through government work orders.
- Astrotourism Event Design & Delivery: AstronEra designs and delivers astrotourism events in partnership with MTDC, such as the Lonar Crater stargazing festival (April 2026). Revenue derives from event partnership fees and coordination services provided to Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
AstronEra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AstronEra operates as Technical Secretariat for the Government of Maharashtra's dark sky conservation program under formal MoU, providing end-to-end DarkSky International certification advisory (pre-application, lighting audits, SQM monitoring, Lighting Management Plans) across 11+ pilot sites, developing the TARA regulatory framework for Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) enforcement, and designing astrotourism initiatives in partnership with MTDC. The firm delivers policy research, multi-departmental coordination, and program management for a three-phase implementation pathway spanning 2026-2047.
Product overview
AstronEra offers a comprehensive dark sky conservation service centered on policy development and implementation. The core offering is the Dark Sky Conservation Policy Framework (2026-2047) built around T.A.R.A. (Trans-departmental Application for Regulated ALAN) as the coordinating body. This framework integrates four primary service areas: Pilot Site Implementation Program (11-12 sites validating policy before statewide rollout), Dark Sky Place Certification Coordination (guiding sites through DarkSky International process), Sky Quality Monitoring (SQM-based measurement and citizen science), and Astrotourism Development (tourism circuit creation and AstroGuide training). Supporting research services cover ecological impacts, human health, climate/energy, and tourism economics. The three-phase implementation pathway progresses from pilot validation (2026-2029) through statewide scaling (2029-2035) to national consolidation (2035-2047), with AstronEra serving as Technical Secretariat under MoU with the Government of Maharashtra.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Quantifiable outcome
- Dark sky tourism generates USD 1–3 B globally; certified regions see 30–40% visitor growth; dark sky-compliant lighting delivers ~190% returns via energy savings, lower maintenance, and sustained astrotourism
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AstronEra
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
AstronEra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
AstronEra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC)coreMTDC partnered with AstronEra to launch Maharashtra's first stargazing festival at Lonar Crater and Harihareshwar from April 24–26, 2026, marking MTDC's golden jubilee year. AstronEra designed the event concept, which aims to promote astrotourism, combat light pollution, and support local tourism businesses through interactive astronomy sessions, dark sky conservation activities, and science outreach programmes. MTDC provides institutional backing, venue access, and government-level coordination.
- District Planning Committee, Satara (Koyna & Kaas Task Force)coreThe District Planning Committee, Satara issued an official order appointing a 19-member task force for the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary (Dark Sky Reserve) and Kaas Plateau (Dark Sky Park), chaired by District Collector Santosh Patil (IAS). This was the earliest district-level task force constitution among all pilot sites.
- DarkSky InternationalcoreDarkSky International issued a formal endorsement letter recognizing AstronEra as the official dark sky certification partner for Maharashtra (December 2025). AstronEra is the only Indian entity with a direct, formal DSI relationship and is an active member of the DSI working group updating Dark Sky Places guidelines. DSI provides internationally recognized technical criteria, certification protocols and standards, and best-practice guidance. DSI does not hold policy delegation, control funding, or make enforcement decisions — all such powers remain exclusively with the Government of Maharashtra.
- Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of MaharashtracoreAstronEra presented the TARA Dark Sky Policy framework to Additional Chief Secretary Mrs Ashwini Bhide (IAS) and Principal Secretary of the Environment and Climate Change Department Mrs Jayashri Bhoj (IAS), securing high-level departmental engagement. The Environment Department leads the inter-departmental Steering Committee on Dark Sky Conservation and is responsible for drafting the ALAN notification under the Maharashtra Environment Act.
- Lonar Dark Sky Park Task Force (District Planning Committee, Buldhana)coreThe District Planning Committee, Buldhana formally constituted a 13-member task force chaired by the District Collector, including representatives from ASI, MTDC, PWD, Forest, Revenue, and Electricity departments to advance the Lonar Dark Sky Park certification. AstronEra supports the task force as Technical Secretariat, coordinating secretariat coordination and lighting audit/SQM monitoring.
- MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation)coreAstronEra operates under the guidance of MITRA (Maharashtra Institution for Transformation) for identification and development of dark sky sites across Maharashtra. MITRA is a state-level transformation institution that supports innovative governance initiatives. The partnership provides institutional cover and alignment with Maharashtra's broader reform agenda, facilitating government appointments and district-level coordination for pilot site development.
- Academic Institutions (IIT Bombay, IISER Pune, TIFR Mumbai, TERI)supportingAstronEra maintains institutional partnerships with major Indian research institutions — IIT Bombay (energy systems, urban planning), IISER Pune (ecology, biodiversity), TIFR Mumbai (astronomy, astrophysics), and TERI Mumbai (environmental policy) — for scientific data collection, research collaboration, and academic-policy integration on ALAN impacts in Maharashtra.
- Wildlife Institute of India, Indian Institute of Public Health, WRI IndiasupportingResearch partnerships with specialized institutions for commissioned impact assessments: Wildlife Institute of India (wildlife impact assessment), Indian Institute of Public Health (health impact assessment), WRI India (urban sustainability), and TERI (energy and climate). These partners provide specialized research capabilities for Phase I (2026-2027) impact assessments and monitoring frameworks.
- Udmal Gram Sabha (Nashik District)coreThe Gram Sabha of Udmal village passed India's first Dark Sky Resolution under PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act) on May 23, 2025, with 232+ residents voting to pursue Dark Sky Community status — the most significant community milestone in the program. The Zilla Parishad CEO formally acknowledged the resolution, setting a precedent for other Gram Panchayats.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves4 records
Expansion highlights7 records
AstronEra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Astrostays: India-based astrotourism startup offering community-run homestays with astronomy experiences in Himalayan villages. Directly comparable as an Indian player pursuing the dark-sky/astrotourism opportunity, though focused on experiential hospitality rather than policy advisory.
Others
- TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute): India's leading environmental policy research institute, listed as a research partner. Comparable as a policy-advisory organisation driving environmental regulation in India, including on energy/climate issues adjacent to ALAN governance.
- WRI India (World Resources Institute): Listed AstronEra partner for urban sustainability work. Comparable as an India-based policy think tank that bridges research and government urban/environmental regulation, including lighting and city-level sustainability.
- Wildlife Institute of India: Government-affiliated research institution and listed AstronEra partner for wildlife impact assessments. Comparable as an Indian policy-research entity supporting regulatory work on biodiversity-related environmental issues.
Regional players
- Starlight Foundation (Fundación Starlight): Spanish-origin foundation that promotes astrotourism and dark sky protection globally, including Starlight Reserves/Tourism Destinations certification. Operates a parallel certification framework to DSI and serves as an indirect competitor in the international dark-sky advocacy space.
Broad incumbents
- DarkSky International: The global non-profit standards body for dark sky place certification (formerly IDA). AstronEra operates as Maharashtra's official DSI certification partner, making DSI both a partner and the broader incumbent whose criteria define AstronEra's service offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AstronEra social profiles
Digital presenceAstronEra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AstronEra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
AstronEra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AstronEra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about AstronEra
What does AstronEra do?
AstronEra operates as Technical Secretariat for the Government of Maharashtra's dark sky conservation program under formal MoU, providing end-to-end DarkSky International certification advisory (pre-application, lighting audits, SQM monitoring, Lighting Management Plans) across 11+ pilot sites, developing the TARA regulatory framework for Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) enforcement, and designing astrotourism initiatives in partnership with MTDC. The firm delivers policy research, multi-departmental coordination, and program management for a three-phase implementation pathway spanning 2026-2047.
Is AstronEra a public or private company?
AstronEra is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was AstronEra founded?
AstronEra was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is AstronEra based?
AstronEra is headquartered in Pune, India, in the Asia region.
How does AstronEra make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Consulting & Technical Secretariat Services are the primary driver. The others are dark Sky Certification Advisory Services and astrotourism Event Design & Delivery.
Who are AstronEra's main competitors?
Astrostays is listed as an emerging player. Others are TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), WRI India (World Resources Institute) and Wildlife Institute of India. Starlight Foundation (Fundación Starlight) is listed as a regional player. DarkSky International is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does AstronEra have an API?
No public API is recorded for AstronEra.
What industry is AstronEra in?
AstronEra's product category is Environmental Policy Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAJ, Lighting Design Services, with a secondary code of HSAIAHAA, Landscape Lighting Design & Layout. Its NAICS code is 54132 and its SIC code is 3640.