Deepinder Goyal, the founder and CEO of Zomato, is investing $20 million in LAT Aerospace, an aerospace startup founded by Surobhi Das, a former Zomato executive. Goyal will take on a non-executive co-founder role, with Das leading daily operations. LAT Aerospace is a stealth startup that aims to develop low-cost, short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft with a seating capacity of up to 24 passengers for regional air connectivity. The company is planning to raise $50 million in seed funding and is seeking engineers specializing in aerodynamics, material sciences, and hybrid propulsion systems.
LAT Aerospace’s STOL planes will be capable of taking off and landing in compact “air-stops” no larger than a parking lot, eliminating the need for large airport facilities. Unlike air-taxi startups, LAT Aerospace’s aircraft will focus on longer intercity routes, competing with industry giants like ATR and Bombardier.
Separately, Zomato shareholders have approved a proposal to rename the parent company as Eternal Ltd. The rebranded entity will oversee four business verticals: the food delivery platform Zomato, quick commerce unit Blinkit, going-out service District, and business-to-business grocery supplier Hyperpure. This marks the company’s second rebranding since its inception as Foodiebay in 2008, following its rebranding to Zomato in 2010. The Eternal branding was introduced internally in 2022 after the acquisition of Blinkit and an organizational restructuring that established separate CEOs for each business unit.