Chennai-based deeptech startup Fabheads, founded by former ISRO engineers Dhinesh Kanagaraj and Abhijeet Rathore, has raised $10 million in its Series A funding round, led by Accel with participation from Trifecta Capital. This funding brings the company's total capital raised to $13 million, including $3 million from seed and pre-seed rounds in 2021.
Founded: 2015
Founders: Dhinesh Kanagaraj and Abhijeet Rathore (ex-ISRO)
Headquarters: Chennai, India
Expansion Plans: New facility in Bengaluru targeting aerospace applications
Fabheads specializes in robotic automation systems for composite fiber manufacturing, a rapidly evolving area with applications in aerospace, mobility, defense, and clean energy sectors.
Fabheads’ proprietary technology focuses on automating composite manufacturing, delivering:
Up to 50% cost savings
20% reduction in material waste
30% improvement in production cycles
This high degree of automation addresses key pain points in traditional composite manufacturing, making the process more efficient, scalable, and environmentally sustainable.
The newly raised funds will be utilized for:
Scaling manufacturing capacity
Hiring across leadership, engineering, and R&D
Establishing a new aerospace-focused facility in Bengaluru, expected to be operational within six months
The composite materials market is witnessing robust demand, especially in sectors that demand lightweight, high-strength materials.
Market Size: $1.8 billion in 2024 (India)
Projected Growth: Expected to reach $2.6–$2.8 billion by 2030
CAGR: 7.8%
Government Support:
Push for carbon fiber production
Promotion of technical textile exports, targeting $10 billion by 2030
Dhinesh Kanagaraj, CEO of Fabheads:
"Our mission is to make advanced composite technologies accessible across industries globally. Fabheads remains India’s only specialized provider of such robotics-driven solutions."
Prayank Swaroop, Partner at Accel:
"Fabheads is uniquely positioned to solve core manufacturing bottlenecks in sectors poised for rapid expansion. We are excited to partner with them on this journey."
Fabheads’ technology-driven model and government-aligned growth strategy place it at the center of India's emerging composite manufacturing ecosystem. Its upcoming Bengaluru facility signals an aggressive pivot toward aerospace, positioning it as a leader in deeptech manufacturing innovation.
| Key Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Startup Name | Fabheads |
| Funding Round | Series A |
| Amount Raised | $10 million |
| Total Funding | $13 million |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Dhinesh Kanagaraj, Abhijeet Rathore |
| Tech Focus | Robotic composite fiber manufacturing |
| Use of Funds | Scale, hire, Bengaluru facility |
| Sector | Aerospace, Mobility, Clean Energy, Defense |
| Growth Rate (CAGR) | 7.8% (2024–2030 India composites market) |
Conclusion
With cutting-edge robotic automation for composites, Fabheads is positioned to lead a new era in advanced manufacturing. Its recent funding round not only validates its vision but also empowers the team to scale operations, expand R&D, and fuel India’s ambitions in deeptech manufacturing.
