Ex‑Ultrahuman Exec Secures $5.5M to Build Aina, AI‑Era Hardware Interface Beyond Screens and Keyboards

• Ex-Ultrahuman Exec raises $5.5M for Aina, a new hardware interface for the age of AI beyond touchscreens and keyboards. 
• Aina was operating as an HCI Lab and recently launched Dune, a popular three-key context-aware keypad.

Design-led consumer hardware startup Aina has raised $5.5M to build a general-purpose interface for the age of AI and agents. The company launched Dune, a popular three-key context-aware keypad, earlier this year while continuing to build its flagship interface in stealth, one that redefines the way we interact with our devices, from everyday tasks on our phones to our computers.

AI is changing the way people do everything. A single prompt can now generate an entire movie. Yet the everyday experience hasn't caught up. AI notetakers automate entire workflows, but joining a meeting still takes four clicks. Booking a cab still means unlocking your phone, finding the app, typing a destination, and confirming. The problem is the dated hardware layer. Software and AI have evolved rapidly, but the interfaces humans use to interact with them haven't kept pace. Keyboards were last updated in the 1980s. Touchscreens were designed for the way we operated in 2007. This gap between software capability and hardware interfaces is why people are excited to learn how AI can change their lives, but end up feeling overwhelmed and fail to adopt new tools fast enough.

An upgrade is needed in the way people interact with their daily apps and services. Aina's waitlist for the Pilot is now open.

The seed funding round was led by Redstart Labs (Infoedge, India) and 360 ONE Asset, with participation from MIXI Global Investments, Antler, Blume Founders Fund and angels including Kunal Shah (WhatsApp/Cred), Tikhon Bernstam (Scribd), Harshil and Shashank (Razorpay), Vaibhav Domkundwar (Better Capital), Avnish Anand (Caratlane), Aditya Singh (All in Capital), KRS Jamwal (Tata), Shraeyansh Thakur (previously at PeakXV), Sarthak Misra and Medha Shankr (Bollywood Actor) among others.

The funding will be used to bring Aina's flagship interface to market and to scale the team across its San Francisco and Bengaluru offices.

Aina is founded by Apoorv Shankar, former VP of Hardware at Ultrahuman, the sleep tracking ring company. Incorporated in May 2025, the company has been operating as a Human-Computer Interaction lab under the name “Project Mirage”.

The company showcased three experimental AI interfaces at CES 2026, each an iteration in its broader research into HCI across different domains, targeting common applications people use daily: online meetings, booking cabs, ordering food.

From those experiments, the company announced Dune in April, a context-aware keypad for Mac that automatically adapts its three keys to whichever application is in the foreground. The team has since shipped hundreds of Dune keypads to early adopters, working closely with power users to learn from their feedback and daily workflows, validate the company's thesis, and understand real-world AI adoption.

Apoorv Shankar, Founder and CEO of Aina

Apoorv Shankar, Founder and CEO of Aina, said, "Phones and computers today are still primarily designed for browsing. You put in the same effort whether the task is something you do daily or once a year, and when you are doing hundreds of tasks a day, every unnecessary step adds up to real cognitive load."

As intelligence becomes ubiquitous, AI assistants will get better at understanding context and agents will execute on our behalf. All we will have to do is say yes or no. The missing piece today is a context-aware layer paired with an easier way to capture that choice. We are building a general-purpose interface for this future, designed to capture human choice, effortlessly."

Vibhore Sharma, Redstart Labs (Infoedge) commented, “We inherited the assumption that computers are tools - you instruct, they execute. AI is quietly dissolving that line. One of the key questions that matter is how the relationship changes when software starts to understand context and the interface disappears. That's where new categories like Aina are born and where part of the future is hiding. We are excited to back the team in this endeavour.”

Abhishek Nag, Head of Venture Capital, 360 ONE Asset, added, "Every leap in computing has demanded a new hardware interface, from punch cards to the GUI to the smartphone. As AI agents become the primary way for people to interact with computers, the world once again needs a new generation of interfaces built for how we'll actually compute. Apoorv and the team have shown they can design and manufacture revolutionary consumer hardware from India for the world, and we're proud to co-lead their seed round as they build it.”

Every generation of computing has produced a new interface. Each one won by asking less of the person using it. Aina believes the next one asks least of all. In a world where AI has the context of everything you're doing, the only thing left for humans is to choose. Aina is building the most effortless and natural way to capture that choice, so in the age of AI, we can spend our time on things that actually require human intelligence and effort.

About Aina

Founded in May 2025 by Apoorv Shankar, former VP of Hardware at Ultrahuman, where he led the research, development, and manufacturing of the company's sleep-tracking rings.

For its first year, Aina operated in stealth as "Project Mirage", a Human-Computer Interaction lab exploring how people interact with AI in everyday life. The team ran experiments with hundreds of early adopters to understand real-world AI adoption and validate its thesis on what the future of interaction looks like.

One of these early experiments was Dune, a context-aware keypad for Mac, launched in April 2026.

The Bengaluru team works out of an electronics manufacturing unit, part of which has been converted into a design and prototyping studio. The setting reflects the company's approach: combining industrial capability, interaction design, and rapid experimentation to create new hardware for the AI era.

The waitlist for Aina’s Pilot is now open at aina.com

Digantara Secures $50M Series B to Build Full-Stack Space Surveillance Infrastructure

Anirudh Sharma, Founder & CEO, Digantara

• Fresh capital to be deployed towards global manufacturing expansion;
• The company is gearing up to launch 15 space-based space surveillance satellites along with 2 dedicated missile-warning satellites through 2026–27.

Digantara Industries, a pioneer in Space Surveillance and Intelligence, today announced the closing of its Series B fundraise of USD 50 million raised from a mix of new strategic and financial investors such as 360 ONE Asset, SBI Investments Co Japan, and Ronnie Screwvala with continued participation from existing investors, Peak XV Partners and Kalaari Capital. The company aims to deploy this fresh capital into global expansion beyond India and the US, into new manufacturing facilities for optical systems, satellite production and towards doubling its research & development teams globally over the coming year.

This investment marks a decisive inflection point for Digantara as it transitions from pure play space situational awareness company to a full stack space surveillance and intelligence company, developing sovereign hardware, software, and intelligence systems that strengthen national security and strategic autonomy.

Space is no longer a frontier, it is the new high ground for national security. Adversaries of the future will seek asymmetric advantage where sensing, automation, and latency matter most” said Anirudh Sharma, Founder and CEO, Digantara. “This capital accelerates our path to operational readiness, expand into the US and Europe, and drive new programs in missile warning, tracking, and space-based interceptors to deliver real deterrence and multidomain superiority.

“What stood out about Digantara is their commitment to build the full stack infrastructure. From the outset, the founding team’s blend of technical expertise and business acumen stood out, an essential combination for long-term success. We remain committed to backing founders developing mission-critical capabilities across sensing, autonomy, and downstream applications.” said Sameer Nath, CIO & Head, Venture Capital & Private Equity, 360 ONE Asset.

With operations across India, Singapore, and the United States, and an expansion to Europe by mid-2026, Digantara is leveraging its global presence to provide strategic capabilities for multidomain awareness autonomy. The company is establishing a new standard in sovereign space intelligence and redefining how nations manage, protect, and defend assets across domains and this is evidenced by large orders and mission contracts being placed by leading defence and commercial intelligence customers.

Digantara’s systems play a vital role for various governments and defence agencies globally, offering a comprehensive suite of services to safeguard against national security risks. Its integrated infrastructure, ‘AIRA’, unites advanced hardware, data, and processing capabilities across space and ground systems to create a multidomain surveillance capability. At the core of this infrastructure are its sensing systems, on track for launch through 2026-27: the ‘SCOT’ series, a fleet of electro-optical and LiDAR satellites engineered for space based space surveillance; the ‘ALBATROSS’ series, dedicated to early missile warning and precision tracking; and ‘SKYGATE’ an expanding network of ground-based sensors that enables persistent observation across critical theatres of operations.

Through the fusion of these systems within AIRA’s space-and-ground construct, Digantara achieves near real-time acquisition, characterization and interpretation of emerging threats. This integrated infrastructure equips Digantara’s proprietary platforms ‘Space MAP’ and ‘STARS’ with mission-ready data for decisive, real time tactical response.

About Digantara Industries:

Digantara Industries, founded by Anirudh Sharma in 2020, is a space surveillance and intelligence company dedicated to protecting and defending sovereign and allied interests across operational domains from emerging threats while ensuring safety, security, and long-term sustainability. By integrating advanced space-based sensors, proprietary optics, and AI-driven analytics into a unified space-intelligence infrastructure, Digantara delivers the comprehensive domain awareness required to safeguard critical assets and maintain strategic superiority.

More information is available at: www.digantara.co.in

ANAROCK Raises ~INR 200 Cr (USD 25 Mn) Funding from 360 ONE Asset

• Funds to be deployed into Firm’s overall business growth and industry-leading Proptech platforms
• Collaboration to create further value for ANAROCK customers in fast-growing Indian real estate sector
• New tech development to leverage Indian real estate potential to surpass USD 1 Tn by 2030

ANAROCK, a leading Indian independent real estate consultancy, has announced an investment of ~INR 200 Cr (USD 25 Mn) from 360 ONE Asset Management Limited (earlier known as IIFL Asset Management) (360 ONE Asset), one of India’s largest alternate asset managers and part of the 360 ONE group, a wealth and alternates-focused institution with more than USD 54 Bn assets under management. This investment will enable ANAROCK to enhance its tech infrastructure, accelerate its expansion, and introduce new innovations to bolster its leadership position in the Indian real estate services space.

Commenting on this partnership, Anuj Puri, Chairman - ANAROCK, said, “We are delighted to have 360 ONE Asset as our first equity investor. This investment will go a considerable way in keeping ANAROCK at the forefront of the industry by fuelling further innovation and growth. The capital has been earmarked for faster business expansion and fine-tuning our proprietary Proptech platforms, which have proved to be game changers for our real estate marketing capabilities. We will continue to explore new high-growth business opportunities”.

"This is by far the most opportune time to expand our reach and services,” says Puri. “The Indian real estate sector is expected to account for 10-13% of India's GDP by 2025, from its existing share of 7%. We project strong and sustained growth for the industry over the next decade, with its potential market value surpassing USD 1 Tn by 2030. ANAROCK will lead the market with upgraded AI/ML technologies to accelerate our developer clients’ residential inventory sales.”

Sameer Nath, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Venture Capital & Private Equity at 360 ONE Asset, said, “We are delighted to be ANAROCK’s first equity investor. In ANAROCK, we observe a top-class management team, premier marketing and advisory capabilities and a clear leader in India’s large and growing real estate services sector. We have also been impressed by the tech infrastructure and innovative platforms being built by the company. We look forward to partnering with Anuj, Rohin and the entire ANAROCK team in the next phase of their exciting growth journey.”

“Our partnership with 360 ONE Asset is the result of months of strategic planning, as we were seeking a partner who shares our commitment and passion for innovation in the real estate consulting and technology space,” said Rohin Shah, Director & Co-Founder - ANAROCK.

“This collaboration will significantly leverage our 30 years of experience in the Indian real estate market and accelerate our pursuit of innovative and market-leading real estate solutions for our clients. Our key focus will remain research and technology-driven marketing and sales of real estate across all major sectors acting for developers, investors, and occupiers.”

Founded in 2017 by Anuj Puri, former Chairman and Country Head of one of India’s prominent international real estate consultants, and Rohin Shah - Managing Director of UK-based Marylebone Asset Management, ANAROCK has become the leading independent real estate consultancy in India and the Middle East. ANAROCK provides industry-defining technology-driven solutions.

The partnership with 360 ONE Asset will mirror the economic and financial growth of India across all real estate sectors.

Earlier in December last year, ANAROCK-owned society management solution provider, ApnaComplex, collaborated with Flipkart’s service arm Jeeves to offer product repair, maintenance and installation service requirements of residents in communities automated by ApnaComplex, through Flipkart Home Services (FHS).

In July last year, ANAROCK announced that ASTRA, the firm's proprietary AI-driven sales acceleration tool, had officially received patent status.

About ANAROCK

ANAROCK is a leading independent real estate services company with a visible presence across India and the Middle East. The Company has diversified interests across the real estate lifecycle and deploys its proprietary technology platform to accelerate marketing and sales on behalf of its clients.

Over the last six years, ANAROCK has expanded from being a residential-focused organization to complementary sectors including retail, commercial, hospitality, logistics & data centres, industrial and land. The firm also specialises in strategic advisory, investment banking, research & valuations and offers app based flexible workspaces and society management services. ANAROCK has developed proprietary technology that is adopted across all its businesses.

ANAROCK has a team of over 2,200 experienced real estate professionals who operate across all major markets in India and the Middle East.

For more information, please visit anarock.com

About 360 ONE Asset

360 ONE Asset Management Limited (“360 ONE Asset”), earlier known as IIFL Asset Management Limited, is one of India’s largest alternate asset managers with overall alternates AUM and public market mandates of more than USD 8 Bn as on 31 Dec 2023. 360 ONE has a leading Venture Capital and Private Equity platform with USD 3 Bn AUM as on 31 Dec 2023. This platform extends from early stage to late stage VC to growth equity to pre-IPO investments, with a focus on technology, financial services, healthcare and consumer sectors. This unique private market platform enables 360 ONE Asset to partner with founders and participate in a company’s life cycle over a longer period of time. Additional information is available at https://www.360.one

360 ONE Acquires Mumbai Angels; Announces Two New Funds with Them

 Angel Fund and Category 1 Venture Capital Fund to be launched.

360 ONE (earlier known as IIFL Wealth & Asset Management), one of the leading wealth and alternates-focused asset firms in India, recently completed the acquisition of controlling stake in Mumbai Angels, a premier platform for early-stage venture investments.

Mumbai Angels, one of the largest players in the early-stage investment space, will now be looking at a greater funnel of deals, with a deeper penetration in the early-stage startup pool. Through its strict filtration criteria, it will be able to offer a wider array of best-in-class deals to its investors. Dedicated to supporting and nurturing early-stage startups, and helping its investors to grow their wealth, the investment platform today also announced the launch of two new funds: Category 1 Venture Capital Fund - Angel Fund and Category 1 Venture Capital Fund. (VCF)

The Category 1 VCF - Angel Fund does not involve pooling, i.e. each investment is treated as a separate scheme. This fund offers unique flexibility to both investors as well as startups. While investors will have the freedom to invest in a larger number of select deals, while the startups will have a leaner cap table.

The second fund, Category 1 VCF, is aimed at those looking at investments over a wider portfolio, without getting into the nitty gritty of all participating startups. This fund will enable investors to participate in every deal on the platform.

"Mumbai Angels has built an enviable platform to tap quality companies at an early stage. We are glad to have a talented team on board led by Nandini Mansinghka, Chief Executive Officer, Mumbai Angels. With this new set of offerings, we will be able to further provide clients some interesting investment opportunities at an early stage in companies, which have the potential to bring about disruptions in their respective industries," said Karan Bhagat, Founder, MD & CEO, 360 ONE.

Nandini Mansinghka

"We are thrilled to be a part of 360 ONE, and the launch of our two new funds will open a plethora of opportunities for new-age companies looking at capital and investors keen to ride the startup wave," said Nandini Mansinghka, Chief Executive Officer, Mumbai Angels. "Our investments are sector-agnostic, and our team has a proven track record of identifying and supporting promising early-stage companies, and we are confident that the Angel Fund and Category 1 VCF. Fund will provide valuable opportunities for investors to be a part of the success stories of young Indian start-ups," she added.

About Mumbai Angels:

Since its inception in 2006, Mumbai Angels Network has the reputation of helping many new-age innovative endeavours get off the ground successfully. The company is dedicated to making India's startup ecosystem more accessible to investors across the country and has previously sponsored multiple successful companies.

About 360 ONE

360 ONE, earlier known as IIFL Wealth & Asset Management is one of the leading wealth and alternates-focused asset management firms in India. 360 ONE has aggregate assets of more than INR 3,33,000 crores under management, as on September 30, 2022.

360 ONE is an embodiment of two words that are extremely important to the firm, ‘360’ represents the holistic view we take of the ‘ONE’ person whose interests are always first: Our Client. The new brand 360 ONE will help the company retain all the elements that make it unique, while also injecting vibrancy and freshness of a modern India. It not only captures the company’s ethos but will also resonate with a more diverse set of clients and prospects, including the next generation. 

360 ONE is one of the pioneers in the industry to bring about product innovations. The firm has won more than 125 awards of repute since its inception in 2008. With a 900+ team strength, 360 ONE is headquartered in Mumbai with a presence in 27 domestic and global locations.