Sarla Aviation

One thing keeps coming to me over and over again: "But Adrian, do you really think this will work? There are so many obstacles in the way – I doubt this can ever be the future." I agree there are a ton of obstacles, a ton of non-believers, a ton of reasons for this to fail. But my answer to all those out there thinking I'm crazy is this: Cars were invented 130 years ago (in 1885). Trains were invented 200 years ago (in 1825). Airplanes were invented 120 years ago (in 1903). If you lived in 1885 and you saw Bertha Benz riding the first ever automobile next to you, would you have thought that this invention would ever be able to change the world as profoundly as it did? Would you believe that cars would replace horses, create markets, and shape societies? If anyone today thinks that the flying taxis we see today are the last step of the industry’s evolution, you're wrong. They're the beginning of something much larger. If you think flying taxis are crazy, think again, because that's the same thing the common man would have said about the first car when it rolled by. It's crazier to think cars are the last step of mobility evolution than it is to think air taxis are the future. Sarla Aviation #DontBeCrazy #UddKeJaunKya #SarlaAviation #AirTaxi #ViksitBharat

Today and tomorrow open for the public! If you’re in Bengaluru this is your chance to see our first product #Shunya at the Sarla Aviation stall right at the Bengaluru Palace - Invest Karnataka Gloval Investor summit. Location: https://lnkd.in/gMZbneee

Progress isn’t measured by words — but by results. At Sarla Aviation, we believe in delivering tangible progress. In just one year, we’ve moved from concept to reality, building consumer confidence and earning industry validation. After a successful showcase at Bharat Mobility 2025 in Delhi, we’re now bringing Shunya to our hometown, Bengaluru, for the Global Investor Meet - Karnataka, where real progress meets real decision-makers. Join us at Invest Karnataka 2025 as we take yet another step toward revolutionizing mobility. https://lnkd.in/gkNQ-bB3 Prashanth Prakash | DK SHIVAKUMAR | Rakesh Gaonkar | Adrian Schmidt | Shivam Chauhan #Innovation #Aviation #ExecutionMatters #TangibleResults #InvestKarnataka #SarlaAviation #bharatmobility #InvestKarnataka 2025

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Being a ceo at a startup requires one to sometimes engage in million dollar meetings and sometimes to clean the windows. I love both sides of it and will always clean the windows of our Indiranagar office if it adds value in that particular situation. (And rest assured it did haha😅) Both sides and everything in between is what makes life fulfilling and rewarding ✨ Sarla Aviation I Amar Naik ;) #UddKeJaunKya

Yesterday we released viral video on Instagram. You know why so many of us can relate? Because all we ever do is being stuck in traffic, stuck in life. And Sarla Aviation is going to change that. We have set out to change the course of history, and we will deliver on it - we are delivering on it. What we do in and for India will have the same impact that cars had on the United States, trains on China, and subways on London. It will change everything, forever, for the better. #ViksitBharat Sarla Aviation

Our whole lives, we’ve been made to believe that being stuck, waiting, and contemplating is normal - that it’s just the way things are. But it’s not. Being stuck is a choice, just like moving forward is a choice. So stop waiting. Stop hesitating. Stop being stuck. Be Sarla. #MainSarlaHoon #MadeInIndia #AirTaxi #FlyingTaxi #eVTOL #IndiasFirsteVTOL #MadeForIndia #BharatMobility #SarlaAviation Rakesh Gaonkar Shivam Chauhan Adrian Schmidt

The Union Budget 2025 and the Ministry for Civil Aviation’s push to bring #AirTaxis to major cities go hand in hand. Manufacturing in India is set to scale massively over the next decade. The best way to create jobs and drive the nation to the next level of economic growth is by making it easier to invest and set up new manufacturing industries. As the Honorable Minister rightly pointed out, 35% of the aviation supply chain is already established in the country, and that number is set to rise to 80% in the next 3–4 years, with Sarla Aviation becoming India’s largest fully indigenous aviation prime. I am confident that we will not just ride this wave—we will build it, with our strong product lineup leading the way into 2025. When establishing an industry like aviation in a new geography, it’s essential to leap forward and take an asymmetrical approach to technology development. The goal is to build the next big thing, not copy the old one and end up constantly chasing. In this spirit, Sarla Aviation is proud to be aligned with the vision of the #ViksitBharat Budget 2025 and the ambitious goals of our Honorable Minister for Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu Ji. #SarlaAviation #AirTaxies #ViksitBharat #UnionBudget https://lnkd.in/gnJ2avgc

"Screw your safety nets. Burn the boats, and make winning your only option because things only happen when you go all in." Feeling a bit uncomfortable reading this? That’s actually a quote from my mentor, friend, co-founder, partner in crime, and biggest inspiration Rakesh Gaonkar. Rakesh has just led our company to one of the greatest deep tech achievements of #Bharat since independence, the successful launch of India's first flying taxi prototype in Delhi last week. But what you see is just the tip of the iceberg, barely 1% of the story. I met Rakesh many years ago in Germany. We were both working in the automotive industry, in different departments but with closely connected workflows. I instantly liked him for his crazy conviction - whatever he touched, he pursued with absolute determination. You could feel his energy before even entering the room, an aura, I guess. My colleagues actually warned me not to get too close to him because they were intimidated by his ambition, by his relentless pursuit of changing the world. Fast forward a few years, I quit my job at the company we both worked at. I felt stuck, and a series of personal events pushed me to disrupt my life and make it truly worth living. The day after I resigned, Rakesh invited me over for dinner (he’s an incredible cook). At that point, we were close friends and had worked together for a long time, so I assumed it was a farewell gesture. Man, was I wrong! Rakesh looked at me and said, "Adrian, you know I’ve lived in Germany for 13 years now. I could have gotten German citizenship, but I chose not to. Do you know why?" Then he said, "...because I want to go back to India, I want to build and serve the nation." That moment marked the beginning of an incredible journey. Rakesh knew my personal circumstances, he knew I was ready to go all in with my life as well. So he asked me to be his co-founder in what we now know as Sarla Aviation. That dinner was about three years ago. Without hesitation, I told him I’d follow him around the world, proud to work alongside him, no matter the geography. It was a decision I’ve never regretted for even a single second. Rakesh had everything, a great income, a stable job, a managerial position, a nice car, you name it. Yet, he gave it all up. He went from that life to living with me in a crappy Airbnb in Bengaluru for months, separated from his wife, his daughter, his comfort. Because he believes that "Taking no risk is the biggest risk." (That’s literally his WhatsApp status.) He believed in the nation more than anything. He is a brainchild of the great Ratan Tata and our inspiring PM. He is a hero of the nation, not just because of what he has achieved, but because of his mindset. A week ago, his brainchild - the vision he first pitched to me over dinner in Munich - was officially born. It took him 15 years to get here. Fifteen years of insane belief, resilience, and grit. Congratulations, dude. I’m so damn proud of you.

Life is too short to settle for mediocrity. For years I felt trapped. Today #MeinSarlaHun On the surface, I had everything—great jobs and the prestige of working with world-renowned companies. But inside, I felt empty. I knew my work didn’t matter. It didn’t change lives. It didn’t shape the future. And that realization hit me hard. The truth is, too many of us live this way. We tell ourselves it’s normal—that it’s just the way things are. Big companies, MNCs, and OEMs feed us this narrative: “This is life. You don’t get to choose.” But that’s a lie. You do have a choice. Fulfillment isn’t handed to you—it’s something you fight for. It’s your responsibility to chase it, not just for yourself, but for your family, your friends, and the people who look up to you. True happiness starts with purpose. And purpose begins with how you spend most of your waking hours—working. Imagine working on something so groundbreaking, so transformative, that it changes the world forever. Imagine your grandchildren asking you about the incredible legacy you helped build. That’s the opportunity we’re offering you. At Sarla Aviation, we’re building something that will reshape the way humanity moves. We’re not looking for average. We’re not looking for people who want a “job.” We’re searching for dreamers, innovators, and builders who want to leave their mark on history. Don’t wait. Connect with Sarayu Mathur, visit our careers page, and join a team that’s driven, passionate, and determined to create something extraordinary. PS: We receive over 50 applications every single day, but numbers don’t matter to us. We care about what makes you different. Send us something bold, something that screams, “This is who I am, and this is why I belong here.” We’re not looking fancy degrees. We’re looking for raw talent, unstoppable drive, and people who are fearless about chasing greatness. This is your moment to step forward. Put your name out there for the world to see. #MeinSarlaHun Sarla Aviation, Sarayu Mathur, Rakesh Gaonkar, Shivam Chauhan, Krishna Pal Rajput, Sadath Hussain