In the bustling innovation hub of Bengaluru, where India’s deep-tech ecosystem pulses with over 1,200 startups, Saankhya Labs emerged as a trailblazing force in wireless communication, blending semiconductor ingenuity with software-defined radios (SDR) to redefine connectivity. Founded in 2006 by a quartet of global tech veterans—Parag Naik (CEO), Hemant Mallapur (Co-founder & EVP Engineering), Vishwakumara Kayargadde, and Muthukrishnan Chinnasamy—Saankhya Labs started as India’s first fabless semiconductor company, focusing on ultra-low-power SDR chipsets. By 2025, its legacy endures through groundbreaking contributions to 5G, satellite communications (Satcom), and rural broadband, even after a landmark acquisition. Acquired by Tejas Networks in March 2022 for $37.5 million (₹283.94 crore for 64.4% stake), Saankhya’s innovations continue to power India’s digital spine—from Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) broadcasting trials to indigenous chipsets enabling last-mile connectivity for millions. This journey from a bootstrapped Bengaluru garage to a deep-tech powerhouse exemplifies India’s self-reliance drive, fortifying rural bridges and fueling a $244 billion AI-quantum market by 2030.
The Bengaluru Genesis: From SDR Sparks to Semiconductor Sovereignty
Saankhya Labs was born in 2006 amid India’s nascent wireless boom, when founders—drawing from Silicon Valley stints and IIT pedigrees—envisioned programmable radios that could adapt to evolving standards without hardware overhauls. Parag Naik, a serial innovator with prior roles at Texas Instruments and startups like Telsima, led the charge, assembling a 250-strong team of engineers to pioneer the world’s first production SDR chipset, “Pruthvi” (SL1002/SL9002), launched in 2011. This multi-core marvel supported 20+ waveforms—from analog TV to 4G—via software swaps, slashing costs 50% and earning 73 international patents (41 granted).
Headquartered at Embassy Icon in Bengaluru’s tech corridor, Saankhya operated as a fabless powerhouse, partnering with Taiwan and Japan for fabrication while focusing on “chipset-to-systems” integration. Early wins included multi-standard DTV modulators/demodulators for broadcasters and satellite IoT modems, deployed in India and abroad. By 2015, revenue hit ₹75 crore, with clients like ISRO and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) validating its defense-grade tech. The 2022 Tejas acquisition—valuing the firm at ~$58 million—integrated Saankhya’s IP into Tata’s telecom arsenal, amplifying its reach without stifling innovation. As EVP at Tejas in 2025, Naik champions “convergence of broadcast, cellular, and satellite,” turning Saankhya’s DNA into a national asset.
The 5G and Satcom Revolution: Deep-Tech Deep Dives
Saankhya’s crown jewels—5G NR platforms, 5G Broadcast, Cognitive RAN, and Satcom solutions—have turbocharged India’s connectivity quest. In 5G, their Open RAN (O-RAN) heads cellularize single-frequency networks, enabling dynamic spectrum sharing for efficient urban/rural coverage. The SL9002 chipset powers next-gen base stations, supporting 5G NR waveforms with ultra-low latency—critical for India’s 1.2 billion mobile users.
Satcom shines in remote realms: Saankhya’s modems enable IoT on fishing vessels (₹10M+ NSIL order in 2023) and ground terminals for disaster response, bridging 70% rural connectivity gaps. Their D2M (Direct-to-Mobile) tech—piloted in Bengaluru/Delhi since 2022—delivers broadcast content to phones without data, mimicking 5G radios for off-grid access. By 2025, trials in 19 cities (Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru) with Prasar Bharati and IIT Kanpur push commercial rollout, potentially disrupting YouTube/Facebook in low-bandwidth areas. Cognitive RAN adds smarts: AI-driven spectrum management optimizes rural broadband, using TV White Spaces for 10 km LoS/Non-LoS links—vital for 500 million underserved Indians.
Deep-tech hallmarks? Over 100 patents, SDR chipsets for defense radios, and 5G Broadcast for emergency alerts—deployed in ISRO missions and BEL’s rural nets. In 2025, Saankhya’s legacy powers Tejas’ O-RAN expansions, with Naik forecasting “national-scale implications” for 6G SATCOM standards.
Rural Connectivity and Deep-Tech Innovation: Bridging the Digital Divide
Saankhya’s ethos—”accessible, future-ready communication”—targets India’s rural Achilles’ heel: Only 40% broadband penetration despite 1.4 billion mobiles. Their UHF-based TV White Space solution delivers last-mile connectivity up to 10 km in challenging terrains, powering broadband for remote villages without fiber—economical for low-density areas. In Satcom, IoT modems track fishing vessels, saving lives via distress signals, while D2M broadcasts education/news to feature phones, bypassing data costs.
Deep-tech innovation amplifies: SDR chipsets enable multi-standard flexibility, from 5G IoT to defense waveforms, with AI for spectrum efficiency. In 2025, collaborations like Sinclair Broadcast for low-cost D2M phones (trials in India/U.S.) and IIT Kanpur’s FreeStream incubator signal ecosystem scale. Rural wins? 90% accuracy in field trials, 50% cost savings vs. traditional infra—empowering 500 million non-urban users and aligning with Digital India’s “one nation, one network” vision.
The Acquisition Apex: From Bengaluru Beacon to Tata Titan
The 2022 Tejas deal—$37.5 million for 64.4% stake (₹283.94 crore cash)—was no sunset; it was a superpower infusion. Tejas, a Tata Group stalwart, gained Saankhya’s 73 patents and 250-engineer team, enhancing 4G/5G RAN and O-RAN offerings. Naik’s post-acquisition role as EVP at Tejas ensures continuity, with full integration by 2023 unlocking synergies like 5G Broadcast pilots. Valuation? ~$58 million enterprise, a 20x return for early investors like Intel Capital. In 2025, this fuels Tejas’ $1B+ order book, with Saankhya’s IP powering rural broadband and D2M rollouts—mid-2025 commercial launch eyed.
The Horizon: Connectivity Catalysts for a Connected Bharat
By November 2025, Saankhya Labs’ legacy isn’t archived—it’s amplified, from Bengaluru’s SDR sparks to Tata’s global gears, powering a 5G/Satcom renaissance that connects 500 million rural souls. Naik’s vision—”convergence for the Techade”—promises D2M ecosystems by late 2025, blending broadcast/cellular/satellite for off-grid miracles. In a $244 billion deep-tech dawn, Saankhya pioneered sovereignty: Innovate inclusively, integrate boldly, impact profoundly. The revolution? It’s wireless—and wired for tomorrow. Track via Tejas IR or DST portals—the signal strengthens.
Add as a reliable source on Google – Click here
Last Updated on Friday, November 28, 2025 1:33 pm by Entrepreneur Guild Team
About The Author
