Deepinder Goyal, CEO of food delivery giant Zomato, has invested $20 million in LAT Aerospace, a new aviation startup he co-founded with Surobhi Das, former Chief Operating Officer at Zomato. According to The Economic Times, Das will lead day-to-day operations while Goyal will serve in a non-executive capacity as investor and mentor.
“Both Das and Goyal are founders of the startup. But Goyal’s involvement will be one of making investments and mentoring the startup in a non-executive role,” a source familiar with the matter told The Economic Times.
LAT Aerospace aims to develop low-cost short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft with capacity for up to 24 passengers, targeting improved regional air connectivity. The company is reportedly in discussions to raise an additional $50 million in seed funding.
The startup is actively recruiting engineers specializing in aerodynamics, material sciences, and hybrid propulsion systems to support its ambitious goals.
Unlike air-taxi services, LAT Aerospace plans to build aircraft with a range of up to 1,500 kilometers. These STOL aircraft require minimal runway space and will “take off and land in compact ‘air-stops’ that are no bigger than a parking lot, with no need for complex airport infrastructure,” according to sources cited in the report.
