Billionaire Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato, is stepping into the skies with a bold new venture in aerospace. He’s partnered with former Zomato COO, Surobhi Das, to
Billionaire Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato, is stepping into the skies with a bold new venture in aerospace. He’s partnered with former Zomato COO, Surobhi Das, to launch LAT Aerospace, a startup that promises to revolutionize regional air travel. With an investment of $20 million and plans to design innovative, low-cost aircraft, this new venture could change how we think about flying. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting new project that could bring affordable regional aviation to a city near you.
LAT Aerospace is a startup that aims to make regional air travel more accessible, affordable, and efficient. The company is currently in stealth mode, which means it’s keeping a low profile while it develops its game-changing technology. But here’s what we know so far: LAT Aerospace plans to design and develop Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft with a seating capacity of 12 to 24 passengers.
These aircraft are specifically designed to take off and land in much smaller spaces than traditional planes. This means no more long lines at major airports or extensive airport infrastructure. Instead, LAT plans to build compact “air-stops”, some of which could even be as small as a parking lot. This would make air travel more accessible to smaller cities, where the large infrastructure of regular airports isn’t feasible.
So why is LAT Aerospace so exciting? The key lies in its unique aircraft design and focus on regional connectivity. The startup’s STOL aircraft are not only cost-effective but can also operate from locations without the need for major airport infrastructure.
Imagine a world where you can catch a flight from a small air-stop right in the heart of your city, without dealing with the hassle of security lines, baggage checks, or crowded terminals. These small planes would link major cities with hundreds of smaller towns, making air travel easy and affordable for millions of people who are currently far from a major airport hub.
What sets LAT Aerospace apart is its approach to building aircraft that have a range of up to 1,500 km, perfect for connecting smaller cities with major metropolitan areas. And the best part? They plan to do it all while keeping costs low and efficiency high.
Deepinder Goyal, a name synonymous with Zomato, is no stranger to innovative thinking. After the success of Zomato, Goyal is now shifting gears toward aerospace, bringing his vast experience in growing companies to a completely new industry. Although he won’t be involved in the day-to-day operations, he’s investing $20 million in LAT Aerospace and will play a key role as an investor and mentor.
The driving force behind LAT Aerospace, however, will be Surobhi Das, the former COO of Zomato. After resigning from Zomato in November 2023, Das made a bold move into the aerospace industry. With her extensive experience in leading tech-driven businesses, Das is uniquely equipped to take on the challenge of reshaping regional air travel.
In a LinkedIn post, Surobhi Das explained the inspiration behind LAT Aerospace. During their time at Zomato, she and Goyal often discussed the future of regional aviation. They shared a vision of air travel that was effortless, affordable, and accessible to everyone, no matter where they lived.
“While building Zomato and traveling extensively, Deepinder Goyal and I often discussed how regional aviation should be effortless, affordable, and accessible. That’s what we’re now building at LAT,” Das shared in her post.
She further explained that the STOL aircraft LAT is developing will take off and land at ultra-compact air-stops, bypassing the need for large airports altogether. This will drastically reduce the cost and complexity of regional air travel, making it more available to smaller cities and towns.
“Our aircrafts will take off and land from ultra-compact ‘air-stops’—as small as a parking lot,” Das wrote. “Imagine dozens of air-stops across major cities, seamlessly linking them to hundreds of smaller cities without baggage belts, security bottlenecks, or expensive airport infrastructure—because regional air travel doesn’t need them.”
This vision could completely transform how we travel, providing faster and cheaper air travel options to millions of people around the world.
LAT Aerospace is on a fast track to growth. In addition to the $20 million investment from Deepinder Goyal, the company is also in talks to raise $50 million in seed funding. This funding will be used to expand their team and hire top-tier engineers in several specialized fields, including aerodynamics, material sciences, and hybrid propulsion systems.
With this additional funding, LAT Aerospace plans to take its cutting-edge technology to the next level. The startup aims to build a team of world-class engineers and designers who can tackle the most complex challenges in aircraft design, aerodynamics, and propulsion systems, paving the way for new innovations in the aviation industry.
As LAT Aerospace moves forward, it will continue to refine its aircraft designs and develop new technologies that will reshape the way we think about regional air travel. The goal is to have their aircraft ready for production and launch as soon as possible, connecting people in smaller cities to major urban centers.
But this is just the beginning. With plans to expand into new markets, raise more capital, and build a strong team, LAT Aerospace has the potential to become a major player in the aviation industry. As more funding comes in, and the technology matures, the company could be poised for a major breakthrough in making affordable, efficient regional air travel a reality.
LAT Aerospace’s vision has the potential to change the entire landscape of regional air travel. The ability to connect smaller cities to major hubs without relying on expensive, large airports would be a huge win for millions of people who currently have limited access to air travel.
By using STOL aircraft, the startup is not only reducing costs but also increasing the efficiency of flying, making it possible for flights to operate on shorter runways and without the need for major infrastructure. This could open up a whole new world of possibilities, connecting even the most remote towns to the rest of the country or even the world.
And with Deepinder Goyal’s track record in scaling companies and Surobhi Das’s leadership experience, LAT Aerospace is in good hands as it sets out to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in aviation today.
LAT Aerospace is one of the most exciting startups to watch in the aviation sector, and with Deepinder Goyal’s $20 million investment and Surobhi Das’s leadership, it’s poised to make a big impact. The idea of affordable, regional air travel that connects smaller cities to major hubs without the need for massive airports is revolutionary. If successful, LAT Aerospace could be the game-changer the aviation industry has been waiting for, bringing us one step closer to a future where air travel is truly accessible to everyone.
