By: Digital Networking Agency (DNA)

In an era when most research-based startups struggle to survive without external funding, ERETS is quietly rewriting the rulebook. Founded in early 2023 by Dr. Abhiram Nair, a space scientist with global academic credentials, the company has achieved what many would consider impressive: a valuation of USD 15 million in just three years, entirely bootstrapped.

Building on a Clear Mission

From the beginning, Dr. Nair was clear about two things: ERETS would be laser-focused on preserving the cosmos, and it would remain bootstrapped until its foundation was unshakeable. His belief was rooted in realism: “Early-stage research and development startups are the hardest to sustain. Most fail before they can even demonstrate impact because they depend too heavily on funding,” he explains. “My approach was to build a strong foundation, backed by confidence in our technology and mission.”

That mission to create the world’s first cohesive ecosystem for space debris detection and mitigation is already drawing international recognition. ERETS is pioneering laser-based orbital debris mitigation, a technology that only a handful of organisations worldwide are pursuing. Unlike many startups that pivot endlessly in search of commercial models, ERETS has stayed true to its ethical mission: applying innovations in AI, robotics, optics, and propulsion for a single cause, sustainable space.

From Concept to Global Recognition

Though only three years old, ERETS has already stitched together a network of academic and industrial alliances spanning three continents. The company is headquartered in the UK and incubated with the University of Surrey, positioning itself within one of Europe’s leading deeptech ecosystems. Its entry into India has been marked by a significant incubation with the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, focusing on payload development for space debris detection.

Earlier this year, ERETS also launched its own space labs in Coimbatore, India, strengthening its R&D and manufacturing base in South Asia. Meanwhile, in Australia, industry collaborations with RMIT University and Swinburne University are driving research in artificial intelligence and optics, while partnerships with industry leaders like Bright Ascension are accelerating the development of mission software. Together, these collaborations form a robust ecosystem of research and technology development, a strong indication of ERETS’s credibility in the space industry.

The company is now preparing to launch its cloud-based API for debris detection models by early this year, with its first satellites expected to launch in 2026. For a bootstrapped venture to deliver this level of progress within three years is, in itself, a remarkable example of disciplined execution.

The Power of Staying Bootstrapped

From a business perspective, what makes ERETS unique is not only its technology but also its financing strategy. In a climate where startups are often celebrated for the size of their funding rounds rather than their scientific breakthroughs, Dr. Nair’s deliberate choice to avoid external investors is both unconventional and instructive.

“Funding can be a double-edged sword,” he notes. “For deeptech ventures in particular, there’s always a temptation to chase short-term business ideas that deviate from the core mission. I didn’t want to dilute the ethical foundation of ERETS.” He is open to investors who are aligned with ERETS’s mission.

This approach has allowed the company to remain independent, mission-driven, and insulated from external pressures, while still scaling rapidly. The result is a valuation achieved not through aggressive fundraising but through strategic collaborations, intellectual property, and tangible milestones.

Building the Right Team

For Dr. Nair, technology and vision alone are not enough. He places enormous emphasis on building a team that shares his spirit of innovation. “I don’t hire people based on qualifications alone,” he says. “What I value is their innovative spirit, their passion towards sustainable space, and their ability to think beyond limits. Every teammate who joins me should one day be able to become an entrepreneur in their own right.”

This philosophy has enabled ERETS to assemble a dynamic and motivated team, where collaboration is driven by purpose rather than hierarchy. In a field often dominated by rigid structures, ERETS’s culture of openness and entrepreneurship has become one of its greatest strengths.

The Human Behind the Mission

Photo Courtesy: Abhiram Nair

Behind ERETS’s rise is Dr. Nair’s own story of resilience and vision. His academic journey spans a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Manchester, multiple master’s degrees in space engineering specialisations, an MBA in International Business, and a PhD in Engineering Sustainability. These credentials, however, only hint at his drive.

Alongside his scientific work, Dr. Nair has emerged as a thought leader on ethical innovation. His recent TEDx talk in Cairo, “Silent Echoes of Space Debris”, brought significant attention to an issue often overlooked outside of expert circles. More than a million viewers in a few months. It resonated not only with scientists but also with the wider public, highlighting the invisible yet urgent threat orbiting above our heads.

He has also expanded his impact through authorship. His debut book, Deciphering the Language of Being (Dreamboat, 2025), weaves together his personal journey, resilience, and spiritual philosophy. The book underscores the same principle guiding his company: just as space must be decluttered to sustain exploration, the human mind must be decluttered to sustain purpose.

Outlook

ERETS’s trajectory is not just the story of a company but a potential blueprint for sustainable deeptech entrepreneurship. In three years, it has transformed from a bootstrapped R&D project into a globally recognised venture with a $15 million valuation, without compromising its ethical compass.

For investors and policymakers, the lesson is clear: when deeptech is grounded in purpose and executed with discipline, impact and valuation can follow naturally. For the broader space industry, ERETS represents a turning point, a company demonstrating that preserving the cosmos is not just a scientific challenge but a business imperative.