1 month ago
LinkedIn Message Launches India's First Private Rocket Startup
Two engineers from ISRO sent a LinkedIn message to Mukesh Bansal in 2018, asking for support to build a private rocket company.
Bansal believed in their vision and invested Rs 10 crore.
Despite challenges, including the pandemic, the company succeeded in launching its first orbital rocket, Vikram 1, on July 18.
This achievement made Skyroot Aerospace the first Indian private company to reach orbit and is now valued at over a billion dollars.
The story highlights the importance of belief, passion, and mentorship in achieving ambitious goals.
Two ISRO engineers sent a LinkedIn message to Mukesh Bansal in 2018 to seek support for building a private rocket company.
Bansal invested Rs 10 crore initially and an additional Rs 2 crore during the pandemic.
Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched its first orbital rocket, Vikram 1, on July 18 from Sriharikota.
The launch made Skyroot the first Indian private company to achieve orbital capability.
The company is now valued at over a billion dollars, marking a significant milestone in India's space industry.
- Who
- Pawan Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka (founders), Mukesh Bansal (investor)
- What
- Skyroot Aerospace's successful orbital launch of Vikram 1
- Where
- Sriharikota
- When
- July 18
- Why
- To build India's first private rocket company and achieve orbital capability
Investor's Perspective
Founders' Perspective
Motivation for Investment
Investor's Perspective
Mukesh Bansal was driven by the mission and passion, not by profit expectations.
Founders' Perspective
Pawan Chandana and his team were motivated by the vision to build a private rocket company in India.
Risk Assessment
Investor's Perspective
Bansal saw the potential and believed in the founders' commitment despite the high risks.
Founders' Perspective
The founders saw the lack of a clear private space policy and high failure rates as challenges but were determined to succeed.
Key facts
- Founders
- Pawan Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka
- First Investor
- Mukesh Bansal
- Initial Investment
- Rs 10 crore
- Additional Investment During Pandemic
- Rs 2 crore
- First Orbital Launch
- July 18
- Launch Vehicle
- Vikram 1
- Launch Site
- Sriharikota
- Company Valuation
- Over a billion dollars
Quotes
Pawan Chandana
Founder of Skyroot Aerospace
“"I was browsing through my LinkedIn inbox. I see this inbound inquiry saying something to the effect of we are two engineers from ISRO and we want to build a private rocket company."”
NDTV
“"Eight years ago, we sent him a cold LinkedIn message. He replied. We met that very weekend. Soon after, he became Skyroot's first investor with a Rs 10 crore cheque."”
NDTV
Sources
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