Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla invest in space, defence and critical-tech firm Optimized Solutions
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India’s leading industrialists and business leaders Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla have invested an undisclosed amount in Optimized Solutions Ltd, a technology-driven company operating across defence, aerospace, space and critical technologies such as nuclear power.
Optimized Solutions specialises in building strategic electronics for deep-tech applications for both strategic and commercial organisations. The company has worked closely with ISRO and has been a key contributor to India’s landmark space missions, including Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan, supporting critical electronics and technology requirements. Optimized has also played an instrumental role in strategic projects across multiple DRDO laboratories, while contributing to the indigenization of critical subsystems for the Indian Army and Air Force. The Company’s capabilities are aligned with the growing demand for indigenous technologies and advanced manufacturing solutions across India’s strategic sectors, spanning electronic modules to semiconductor technologies.
“We are delighted to welcome renowned industrialists Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla as our investors and strategic partners. Their experience in building and scaling businesses, combined with their understanding of Indian industry, brings valuable perspective as we enter our next phase of growth. Their confidence in our technology and vision strengthens our ambition to build Optimized Solutions into a significant player in Sovereign Deeptech”, Sandeep Shah, founder and managing director, Optimized Solutions Ltd, said.
The company is expanding its capabilities to build complete satellite platforms in India, marking a significant milestone in our evolution from a strategic electronics company to an integrated deep-tech and space technology organisation. “We look forward to leveraging this partnership to deepen our R&D, expand our capabilities and accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation sovereign technologies from India” , Shah said.
The investment comes at a significant inflection point for India’s Space & Defence industry, which have been witnessing sustained growth in indigenous production, private-sector participation and exports. India’s defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025–26, while defence exports touched an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore, with the private sector accounting for ₹17,353 crore, or 45.16%, of exports.
The investment marks a strategic foray by the Poonawallas into India’s rapidly evolving defence and security ecosystem, with a focus on supporting home-grown technology, innovation and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
“India’s defence sector is entering an important phase where indigenous technology, advanced engineering and private enterprise will play an increasingly significant role in building long-term capability. We see significant potential in the company’s capabilities and look forward to supporting its journey as it develops solutions that can contribute to a stronger, more self-reliant and globally competitive Indian defence ecosystem” , Yohan Poonawalla, chairman of Poonawalla Engineering Group, said.
The investment is in line with the Poonawalla Group’s broader approach of identifying businesses that combine innovation, engineering excellence and long-term value creation. With India placing increasing emphasis on indigenous defence production, advanced technology and strategic self-reliance, the investment provides the Group with an opportunity to participate in a sector undergoing significant transformation.
For Yohan and Michelle Poonawalla, the investment extends their longstanding approach of backing businesses and initiatives with potential for industrial, economic and wider societal impact. With Yohan Poonawalla’s business interests spanning engineering, biotech, financial services, real estate, equestrian ventures and automotive heritage, their entry into the defence technology sector represents an expansion into a strategically important area of Indian enterprise.