Based in Hyderabad, Dhurva Space has become the first firm to receive investment from the Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF)—an Indian venture fund specializing in the space sector.
The fund, which possesses capital exceeding 1000 crore rupees, was established under the aegis of IN-SPACe and is managed by SIDBI Venture Capital Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
Dhurva Space received an investment of 60 crore rupees. The company stated on Monday that it plans to use these funds for further expansion as a full-fledged space engineering company, strengthening capabilities in manufacturing sovereign satellites, accelerating product development, and scaling infrastructure.
Chaitanya Dora Surapureddy, co-founder of Dhurva Space, noted in a statement that this investment is a strong validation of Dhurva Space's vision, execution, and long-term commitment to creating India's sovereign space capabilities.
He added that the continuous support from SIDBI Venture reflects strong confidence in Dhurva Space's potential, growth trajectory, and contribution to India's evolving space ecosystem.
AVCF aims to provide institutional capital to space technology startups at various stages of development, supporting operational scaling and commercialization of new developments.
Arup Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of SIDBI Venture Capital Limited, stated in his announcement that the initial investment demonstrates conviction that the next generation of space leaders will be shaped by companies capable of integrating innovation, manufacturing, mission execution, and commercial deployment under one roof.
ispace, a Tokyo-based company, is expanding its lunar plans by incorporating SpaceX's Starship rocket. In an announcement made this Wednesday (8), the company secured 500 kg of cargo capacity on the Starship, the vehicle considered the largest and most powerful ever built, aiming for a lunar mission that could take place as early as 2030. This agreement was closed for a value of US$ 50 million (equivalent to R$ 258.2 million), as reported by Tokyo Brief.
Takeshi Hakamada, founder and CEO of ispace, expressed satisfaction with the possibility of using the Lunar Access Integration service through the partnership with SpaceX. He emphasized that the high-capacity and moderately priced lunar transport offered by Starship is fundamental to enabling the sustainable lunar economy that ispace aims to establish.
This statement suggests that ispace may become a recurring customer of Starship. The company intends to use the giant vehicle to transport its new Mobile Cargo System (MCS) to the lunar surface. The MCS is described as a flat platform rover capable of carrying up to 500 kg across the lunar terrain. The initial mission with the MCS aboard Starship is scheduled to launch only from 2030, depending on SpaceX's ability to make Starship a fully operational vehicle, given that it has already completed 12 test flights, all suborbital.
ispace already has flight experience with SpaceX. In 2022 and again in 2025, Falcon 9 rockets transported the Japanese company's robotic rover HAKUTO-R. Although HAKUTO-R successfully reached lunar orbit on these two occasions, it suffered landings during the landing attempts. Starship, on the other hand, is SpaceX's super-heavy vehicle, designed for full reusability and capable of placing up to 150 tons into low Earth orbit.
The development of the rocket began some time ago, first presented by Elon Musk during the International Astronautical Congress in Mexico in 2016. Predictions about its operational readiness have constantly changed. In 2021, SpaceX aimed to conduct the first lunar mission before 2024, but development delays postponed that date. In 2024, NASA was scheduled for the first crewed lunar landing of the Artemis program, but this plan changed. NASA contracted Starship as the lunar lander module for this event, which is now scheduled for Artemis 4 at the end of 2028, with agency officials responsible for citing Starship as a factor in the Artemis schedule delays.
NASA and ispace are not the only customers reserving seats on Starship destined for the Moon. Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese businessman, announced the #dearMoon project in 2018, reserving Starship to take himself and a group of artists on a potential first crewed mission of the vehicle around the Moon. However, due to successive delays of Starship, Maezawa canceled the flight in 2024.
Nevertheless, the momentum for lunar missions with Starship is increasing. NASA already has two successes in its Artemis history: Artemis 1, uncrewed, which reached lunar orbit at the end of 2022, and the Artemis 2 flight, with four crew members, conducted around the Moon last month. The agency is preparing for Artemis 3, which should test rendezvous and docking operations with the NASA Orion capsule and two crewed lunar lander modules—Starship and Blue Moon from Blue Origin—in Earth orbit in mid-2027, if planning is met.
Thus, ispace positions itself as a crucial element in a probable lunar race. ispace stated that the advent of rockets capable of transporting large volumes of cargo to the Moon should accelerate the implementation of lunar infrastructure, covering energy, communication, construction, data, and mobility. The company added that establishing this infrastructure on the lunar surface will reduce obstacles for future projects, promoting rapid expansion in the transport of smaller loads for exploration, technological validation, and business development. As demand for missions increases, the cargo capacity of the Mobile Cargo System units will also grow. In addition to the new MCS design, ispace also plans three lunar landing missions with its ULTRA Lander, scheduled for 2028, 2029, and 2030.
DHG Properties, a division of Swiss real estate and construction giant DHG Group, intends to deepen its presence in the United Arab Emirates. This is because the UAE offers an attractive combination of high quality of life, investor confidence, tax efficiency, and growth prospects compared to more mature global markets, according to senior company management.
Blaue Antich, Chairman, CEO, and Founder of DHG Group, stated that the next phase of the company's growth will focus on disciplined expansion in Dubai, as well as cautious entry into other emirates, with Abu Dhabi identified as a key strategic priority. Antich noted that Dubai and Abu Dhabi will remain central elements of DHG's expansion strategy in the coming years, and the company optimistically assesses the potential of its project portfolio.
DHG Group, with over thirty years of experience, has established itself as a global leader in construction and real estate, having completed over 300 projects totaling 2.5 million square meters in Switzerland, Serbia, and the UAE. Its subsidiary, DHG Properties, based in Dubai, successfully integrates Swiss quality and precision into the dynamic UAE real estate market.
The company stated that its current operations in Dubai have strengthened its confidence in the market and the long-term role of DHG Properties. Instead of testing the market with small projects, DHG came with a serious intention to become a significant player in the developing Dubai real estate market. Currently, the company has three active projects under the Helvetia brand, each offering a unique lifestyle, but united by the common principle: 'Swiss precision, Dubai vision.'
Helvetia Residences in JVC is nearing completion in July 2026. Two newer projects are located in promising areas of Dubai: Helvetia Verde in Meydan Horizon and Helvetia Marine on Dubai Islands. Official commencement of work on these latter projects took place in May and June 2026, respectively.
The next stage of development involves strategic expansion across Dubai and entry into other emirates, with a special focus on Abu Dhabi. The company is exploring opportunities in master-planned communities and new living locations where infrastructure-driven growth and growing end-user demand create strong long-term foundations. Future developments will go beyond traditional housing, integrating elements of wellness, smart features, and communal spaces that combine European design with the unique Dubai lifestyle.
Helvetia Residences in JVC, which was the first DHG Properties project in the UAE, was designed with an emphasis on comfort, functionality, and well-being, offering smart layouts, premium finishes, and amenities. The project was fully sold before construction completion, underscoring DHG's commitment to meeting deadlines.
Regarding Helvetia Verde in Meydan Horizon, construction began in May 2026, with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2028. This area was chosen due to its status as a developing destination focused on lifestyle and infrastructure, as well as planned metro expansion.
Helvetia Marine on Dubai Islands started in June 2026 and was fully sold, indicating investor confidence. Completion of this project is also slated for the first quarter of 2028. The Dubai Islands area is viewed as the next generation of coastal living in the city.
The company sees strong long-term potential for the Helvetia brand in the UAE, as it meets the demands of modern buyers: quality, reliability, thoughtful design, and long-term value in the accessible luxury segment. Given that over 70% of residential transactions are now off-plan, there is growing trust in projects focused on long-term habitability.
The future of the real estate market, in DHG's view, will increasingly be experience-oriented. Therefore, the company is ready to develop new concepts that combine Swiss quality with the expectations of modern Dubai residents, whether by strengthening the Helvetia brand or launching additional concepts.
DHG is actively assessing investment opportunities in both emirates. Dubai remains one of the most dynamic markets, supported by rapid infrastructure expansion and a favorable business environment. Abu Dhabi is also becoming increasingly attractive from a strategic perspective. According to the Abu Dhabi real estate market report for 2025, the total transaction value grew by 44% to 142 billion dirhams, and housing sales increased by 67% to 76 billion dirhams.
The company is focusing on zones supported by coastal master plans, tourism growth corridors, and future transport links. DHG is also interested in exploring villas and townhouses, as there is a growing segment of buyers seeking a more private and family-oriented lifestyle, distinct from dense urban development.
