Vision-focused semiconductor startup Nova Spectral AI raises Rs.21-Cr led by Shastra VC

Bengaluru-based Nova Spectral AI has raised INR 21.15 crore in a seed funding round led by Shastra VC, with participation from Equirus InnovateX Fund and angel investors.Founded in 2026 by Anish Priyadarshi and Sanjeev Kumar, the firm develops short-wave infrared (SWIR) image sensor chips which enable cameras to capture images in challenging conditions, such as low light, haze, and smoke. It uses lead-free indium arsenide (InAs) colloidal quantum dots (cQDs) integrated into standard silicon CMOS fabrication processes. This is claimed to make SWIR sensors up to 100 times cheaper than traditional InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) technology.