Helium Smart Air Raises $2M for Smart AC Tech
Startup founders discuss smart AC technology in their office.
Key Highlights
Helium Smart Air secures $2M seed funding led by India Quotient to advance smart AC technology, expand distribution, and boost R&D. IIT Kanpur incubated.
Helium Smart Air, a startup specializing in smart air conditioners, has successfully raised $2 million (approximately ₹19 Cr) in its seed funding round. The investment was led by India Quotient, with the funds earmarked for accelerating product development, expanding distribution networks, and investing in research and development initiatives.
Founded in 2025 by IIT Kanpur alumni Ashish Sharma and Aman Munka, Helium is focused on creating affordable and space-efficient ACs for both residential and commercial applications. The company was recently featured in Inc42’s 30 Startups To Watch series in April.
Helium has partnered with IIT Kanpur to leverage research capabilities in developing smart cooling technologies that operate at lower costs. These ACs, currently in production, are designed to optimize energy consumption and feature modern app-led controls. Additionally, the ACs are equipped with gas leakage detection and device health analytics to protect consumers from unnecessary refills and repairs. Helium has also partnered with Urban Company for the installation and maintenance of its AC units.
Ashish Sharma stated, “Existing AC options are oversized, inefficient, expensive, and not designed for how people actually live. At Helium, we are creating right-sized cooling solutions for modern, functional spaces—from bedrooms and office cabins to small businesses and hospitality settings—where traditional ACs simply don’t fit.”
Helium’s initial product is designed for spaces up to 100 sq ft, featuring a 2,700-watt capacity and the ability to operate on a 1 kW solar panel. Priced at around ₹17,000, deliveries are expected to begin later this month. The ACs will also be available in select showrooms across Delhi NCR and Rajasthan following the official launch, with plans for further geographic expansion.
The home appliances market in India is seeing a surge of new-age D2C brands that are increasingly focused on functionality, IoT integration for smart capabilities, aesthetics, and size to cater to urban city-dwelling audiences. Atomberg, for example, began with energy-efficient smart ceiling fans and has since expanded to include water purifiers, mixer-grinders, and other kitchen appliances.
The -bound Atomberg recently expanded into B2B manufacturing to partner with AC manufacturers such as Godrej and Voltas, along with unnamed European companies, as a component provider after designing India’s first indigenous AC compressor.