Siemens Completes Acquisition of Altair Engineering Inc.

Siemens announced today that it has completed the acquisition of Altair Engineering Inc., a leading provider of software in the industrial simulation and analysis market, for an enterprise value of approximately USD 10 billion.

Siemens announced the Altair acquisition in November last year.

With this acquisition, Siemens extends its leadership in simulation and industrial artificial intelligence (AI) by adding new capabilities in mechanical and electromagnetic simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data science and AI. The addition of the Altair team and technology to Siemens will further enhance the most comprehensive Digital Twin and make simulation more accessible, so companies of any size can bring complex products to market faster.

“We welcome the Altair community of customers, partners and colleagues to Siemens. Adding Altair’s groundbreaking innovations to the Siemens Xcelerator platform will create the world's most complete AI-powered design, engineering and simulation portfolio. Together, we will help our customers to innovate at the scale and speed that today's complexity-driven world demands,” said Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “Through the ONE Tech Company program, we will extend our leadership in industrial software. This enables all industries to benefit from the revolution driven by data and AI.”

Integrating Altair’s capabilities in the areas of simulation, HPC, data science, and AI enhances the ability of Siemens to drive more efficient and sustainable products and processes. Now, all Siemens customers, from engineers to generalists, will have access to new simulation expertise, can optimize their high-performance computing processes, create new AI tools and perform data analytics to help accelerate innovation and digital transformation for companies of all sizes.

The acquisition of Altair is part of Siemens’ ONE Tech Company program and will meaningfully increase Siemens’ digital revenue share. This growth program enables Siemens to further expand its strong market position and reach the next level of performance and value creation. Through acquisitions like this, as well as R&D investments into areas including software, AI-enabled products, connected hardware and sustainability, Siemens is clearly prioritizing capital allocation to strategic growth fields.

With the completion of the acquisition of Altair as well as the recent expansions of Siemens’ factories in California and Texas, Siemens has now invested over USD 100 billion into the United States in the past 20 years.

Kerala Startup HEX20's 'Nila' Satellite Takes Flight, Powered by SpaceX

The launch of the 'Nila' satellite is a groundbreaking achievement for HEX20, a Kerala-based space startup. Named after Kerala's longest river, 'Nila' was launched aboard SpaceX's Transporter-13 mission on March 15, 2025. This satellite is designed to control critical components like solar arrays and antennas in space missions.

HEX20, founded in 2020 and operating from Technopark since 2023, collaborated with the German firm Decubed for this mission. The satellite's payload included Release Actuators, showcasing HEX20's commitment to fostering global partnerships. The mission was supported by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) and received assistance from ISRO for testing and tracking facilities.

This marks a significant step forward for India's private space sector, and HEX20 is already planning future missions, including a 50kg satellite launch with ISRO next year.

The 'Nila' satellite employs advanced technology to control critical components in space missions, such as solar arrays and antennas. It features Release Actuators, developed by the German firm Decubed, which were integrated into the satellite by HEX20. This innovative payload demonstrates HEX20's commitment to fostering global partnerships and advancing space technology.

The satellite's operations are managed from HEX20's ground station at Marian Engineering College in Thiruvananthapuram, where students and faculty are being trained to handle satellite tracking and mission management. This marks a significant step forward in India's private space sector.

Hylenr and TakeMe2Space to Test & Experiment Low-energy Nuclear Reaction (LENR) Tech for Space-based Compute Infrastructure

(L–R) Ronak Kumar Samantray, Founder of TakeMe2Space and Siddhartha Durairajan Hylenr Founder and CEO

• Hylenr and TakeMe2Space to test LENR Powered Compute Modules
• Ink MoU to test and experiment Hylenr’s Low-Energy Nuclear Reaction (LENR) technology for space-based compute infrastructure

Hyderabad based startup Hylenr Technologies, a leader in clean energy innovation, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TakeMe2Space, a pioneering space-tech company, to develop and test LENR powered compute modules in space.

TakeMe2Space is actively exploring multiple energy technologies, including LENR, to assess efficient methods for heat extraction and potential reuse in its compute-focused satellites. This technology could also be applicable for deep space missions which traditionally use radioisotope based thermoelectric generators (RTGs).

Hylenr The ASTROGEN 250 — a 250 kW space-based energy generator specifically engineered to operate in extraterrestrial environments (think: the Moon, Mars, deep space missions). It’s like the HYTHERM 250’s intergalactic cousin, but tailored for the harsh, no-nonsense conditions of outer space.

As the first step of this collaboration, Hyderabad based startup TakeMe2Space, which is building LEO satellite infrastructure will provide the satellite platform and subsystems required to test Hylenr’s LENR-based thermo-electric generator in space.

"Validating our LENR technology in space is a crucial milestone, and TakeMe2Space’s platform and expertise provides the perfect opportunity to test our system in a real operational environment," said Hylenr Founder and CEO Siddhartha Durairajan. "This could open new possibilities for long-duration missions and off-grid power solutions in space."

Ronak Kumar Samantray, Founder of TakeMe2Space, added,

We are actively exploring alternative energy solutions for our in-space compute infrastructure and are excited to take this first step with Hylenr to test their technology in space. We are particularly interested in assessing how this approach can be leveraged for efficient heat management and energy reuse in our satellites.

This partnership represents a step toward exploring LENR for space, with TakeMe2Space bringing expertise in space systems and Hylenr demonstrating the viability of its LENR-based power system.

Furthermore, accomplishing this goal, will help deliver a compact, long-lasting, and clean energy source for space-based computing, possibly enabling: Long-duration missions. high-power computing in space, reduced reliance on solar power or other energy sources.

About Hylenr

Hyderabad based Startup HYLENR’s has demonstrated world’s first and a ground-breaking cold fusion technology to generate Clean Energy. This innovation has received a patent from the Government of India for its Low Energy Nuclear Reactor Technology. HYLENR’s Low Energy Nuclear Reactor is a promising alternative for power generation, by amplifying input electricity to produce heat for Space Application (MMRTG), Steam generation for multiple applications, Room Heating across cold regions globally, Induction heating for Domestic and Industrial requirements. Also, HYLENR devices can drastically decrease the risk profile for space missions. For more information : https://hylenr.com/

Beauty & Personal Care Brand Antithesis Raises ₹5 Crore in Pre-Seed Funding Led by Rukam Capital and V3 Ventures

Antithesis, an emerging beauty and personal care disruptor in India's rapidly growing landscape has secured ₹5 crore investment in its pre-seed funding. The round was co-led by Rukam Capital and V3 Ventures, marking a significant milestone for the young startup while aligning with the funds and their commitment to backing visionary brands that disrupt traditional markets while championing innovation.

The strategic investment is structured to support Antithesis’s aggressive growth plans as a digital first beauty company. Furthering product innovation, market and distribution channel expansion while also strengthening its brand presence in India’s dynamic personal care market. The funding will further be utilized to drive innovation in formulation, ensuring high-performance, multifunctional products that cater to the evolving needs of today’s consumers.

Commenting on the investment deal closure, Archana Jahagirdar, Founder and Managing Partner of Rukam Capital, says, “At Rukam Capital, we always look out for founders whore reimagining industries with fresh perspectives and innovative solutions. The personal care sector in India is evolving rapidly, driven by a growing demand for smarter, high-performance products that align with modern lifestyles."

“At V3 Ventures, we’re so excited to see what’s happening in the BPC market in India. We’re probably one of the only places in the world where a tier 3 consumer also has serious product knowledge. When Aparna brought the idea of multifuncional products to us, we were instantly drawn to it because this was something unique amongst all the clutter.” said Arjun Vaidya, Co-founder and Managing Partner at V3 Ventures.

Founded by Aparna Saxena, former Partner at a prominent venture capital firm Good Capital, Antithesis is revolutionizing the beauty and personal care space in India through its innovative data-driven approach to product development and with a contrarian viewpoint of “the luxury of less” on the ever expanding personal care category.

Aparna Saxena, Founder, Antithesis

The company's unique methodology treats beauty and personal care products like technology products, allowing for continuous innovation and feature expansion based on consumer feedback and emerging trends.

“I identified a critical gap in India's personal care market. Women were overwhelmed by complex routines and multiple products marketed as "essential," yet they struggled to find solutions that delivered meaningful results. I want Indian women to feel less burdened by endless routines and get more value for their investments in personal care products.” said Aparna.

This funding round positions Antithesis to capitalize on India's booming beauty market, projected to reach $27 billion by 2027, driven by increasing disposable income and rising beauty consciousness among India's young population.

Rukam Capital, with a track record of backing high-growth consumer brands, has previously invested in brands like Beco, Sleepy Owl, Yoho, GO Desi, upliance.ai and Indus Valley amongst others. And, V3 Ventures is a founder led early stage fund backed by the Verlinvest group that invests in disruptive consumer companies across the globe including Kuku FM, Go Zero, Dil Foods, Ugaoo and Deconstruct.

About V3 Ventures

V3 Ventures, backed by Verlinvest, is a €100 million global consumer fund focused on early-stage digital and consumer businesses in India, US and Europe. Led by Arjun Vaidya in India, the fund invests in innovative consumer brands and platforms, with a portfolio including Kuku FM, Go Zero, Dil Foods, Ugaoo, The Hosteller and Deconstruct. For more information visit www.v3.ventures

About Rukam Capital

Rukam Capital is a leading Indian early-stage venture capital firm specializing in investing in consumer products and services companies. We invest in purpose-led founders who are solving hard problems at scale by creating products and companies that people love. As entrepreneurs ourselves, we understand the challenges of building a successful business and actively partner with our portfolio companies to drive innovation and growth. For more information, visit: www.rukamcapital.com

About Antithesis

Founded by Aparna Saxena, previously a Partner at a VC fund , Antithesis simplifies personal care by challenging the multi-product approach. With experience at Good Capital and Bharat Founders Fund, that has backed brands like LEAD School, simsim, and Bliss Club. Her industry insight and passion for skincare led her to create Antithesis, offering versatile, multi-functional products for modern lifestyles.

India to Start Building Its Own Space Station from 2028 Onwards

This ambitious project, led by ISRO, aims to establish a fully operational space station with five modules by 2035.

India's ambitious space station project, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), is set to begin with the launch of its first module in 2028. This modular space station will weigh approximately 52 tons and orbit at an altitude of 400-450 km. It is designed to support a crew of 3-4 astronauts for durations of 3-6 months.

The BAS will be developed in phases, with the first module serving as the base for subsequent additions. By 2035, the station is expected to be fully operational with five interconnected modules. The project aims to advance India's capabilities in long-duration human space missions and microgravity-based scientific research.

A significant milestone for the BAS was achieved with the successful demonstration of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) in January 2025. This experiment validated India's ability to autonomously dock satellites in orbit, a critical capability for assembling and maintaining a modular space station.

The BAS project is part of India's broader vision for space exploration, which includes the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and plans for a crewed Moon landing by 2040.

BAS

Notably, ISRO's Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) and the NASA's International Space Station (ISS) differ in several key aspects. The ISS is a collaborative effort involving multiple countries, including the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and European nations, aimed at fostering international cooperation in space research. The BAS, on the other hand, is India's independent initiative to advance its space exploration capabilities and conduct scientific research.

Besides, the ISS is significantly larger, with a mass of about 420 tons and the ability to host up to 7 astronauts for extended periods. The BAS is planned to weigh around 52 tons and accommodate 3-4 astronauts for durations of 3-6 months.

The ISS consists of multiple interconnected modules contributed by various countries. The BAS will be developed in phases, starting with one module in 2028 and expanding to five modules by 2035.

ISS

Both stations will orbit at similar altitudes of approximately 400-450 km above Earth. The ISS represents a global partnership, while the BAS is a national project, although India may collaborate with other countries for specific missions.

The BAS emphasizes microgravity research, long-duration human space missions, and supporting India's broader space exploration goals, such as lunar missions. The ISS has a broader scope, including international scientific experiments and technology demonstrations.

The BAS reflects India's growing ambitions in space exploration and its desire to establish a self-reliant presence in orbit.