Chennai-based startup Solinas Integrity has secured $5.5 million in Series A1 funding to grow its AI-driven water and sanitation infrastructure business. The company plans to use the capital to scale manufacturing and expand into Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It has set a target to reach ₹100 crore in revenue by fiscal year 2028.
Solinas Integrity, a deep-tech startup incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, has raised $5.5 million in a Series A1 funding round. The investment was co-led by Hero Enterprise Partner Ventures and Mela Ventures, with additional participation from the Luthra Group. Several existing backers, including SBI Ventures, Rainmatter Capital, and 8X Ventures Fund I, also participated in this latest round of financing.
The company focuses on developing robotics and artificial intelligence solutions for the inspection, cleaning, and digitization of underground water and sewage infrastructure. By using these technologies, municipalities and private entities can manage underground assets without human intervention, which helps in identifying structural issues or blockages in hazardous environments.
Strategic Use of Funds
Solinas Integrity plans to deploy the new capital to scale its hardware manufacturing capabilities, as moving from prototype development to mass production is a key step for hardware-focused startups. A portion of the funds will also be used to expand the company’s market presence. While the startup already operates in several Indian states, it is now targeting growth in international markets, specifically the Middle East and Southeast Asia, to diversify its revenue streams.
Business Model and Risks
For investors and industry observers, the main challenge for Solinas Integrity lies in its dependence on contracts with municipal bodies and government agencies. These entities typically have long sales cycles, complex tender processes, and can sometimes face delays in payments. Success for the company will depend on its ability to manage these long-term project cycles while scaling its technology effectively.
Additionally, the company is attempting to pivot and diversify by entering sectors such as Oil & Gas and defense, where its robotic inspection technology can be applied to pipelines and other critical assets. This diversification is a strategic attempt to reduce the risk of relying solely on the water and sanitation sector.
Looking Ahead
The company has publicly stated an ambitious revenue target of ₹100 crore by the 2028 fiscal year. Whether the startup can achieve this will depend on its success in executing large-scale manufacturing, maintaining consistent demand for its robotic systems, and navigating the operational risks inherent in the infrastructure services industry. The management’s focus will likely remain on proving the long-term return on investment of its technology to both government and private sector clients.