From Village Dreams to Orbital Schemes: Dropout’s Startup Rockets to Rs 100 Cr

Image Source: Startup Pedia

In a story that sounds like a fable from spaceage, 24yearold Manegar Sarmas Vali, a former Andhra Pradesh engineering dropout, has started EtherWing Aerospace—a Rs 100 crore Bengaluru space technology startup.

How It All Began:

Born in Kanekal village, where ISRO scientists are much respected, Manegar had aspirations of contributing to India's space dream.
He was culturally overwhelmed but intellectually stimulated when he arrived at REVA University in Bengaluru.
Frustrated with traditional academics, he quit school and started coldemailing ISRO and DRDO scientists requesting advice.

Building EtherWing Aerospace:

EtherWing, founded in 2024, manufactures and designs spacecraft, launch vehicles, satellites, and drones.
The firm has also set up a mentor network consisting of retired DRDO and ISRO scientists who mentor its R&D and systems engineering.
Within a year, EtherWing has developed a number of prototypes and has received earlystage contracts for satellite deployment.

Strategic Vision:

The company aims to democratize access to space technology by offering lowcost, modular satellite platforms.
It is also exploring dualuse possibilities in disaster management and defense.
EtherWing is negotiating with private launch providers and government agencies to perform joint missions.

Why It Matters

The growth in EtherWing mirrors India's changing space environment, in which nonstate actors have become important players. The valuation of the startup reflects investor confidence in domestic innovation and deeptech entrepreneurship.

Sources: Startup Pedia, Forbes India, Inc42