When I first heard about Jeh Aerospace slashing aircraft component production timelines from 15 weeks to just 15 days, I had to do a double-take. That’s not just fast — it’s a bold leap in an industry where delays are the norm.
So, what’s Jeh Aerospace’s story, and why does this matter?
Let’s break it down.
From Tata to Takeoff: The Founders’ Flight Path
Co-founders Vishal Sanghavi and Venkatesh Mudragalla aren’t new to aerospace. Before starting this fast-moving startup, they spent almost two decades at the Tata Group, working on high-stakes projects involving Boeing, Sikorsky, and Lockheed Martin.
But they saw a bigger opportunity: unlocking India’s potential to serve not just major aircraft manufacturers, but the Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers that quietly build 60 to 70 percent of commercial aircraft.
“We unlocked India’s potential for large OEMs at Tatas,” said Sanghavi, now CEO at Jeh Aerospace. “But with Jeh, we want to do the same for global Tier 1 and Tier 2 manufacturers.”
Photo by John Torcasio on Unsplash
Why Aircraft Makers Are Knocking on Jeh’s Door
Here’s the situation: air travel is booming again. Global air traffic rose by 10.4% in 2024 compared to the previous year. That’s even higher than pre-pandemic levels. Airlines are racing to expand their fleets, and manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing are sitting on a record backlog of nearly 15,700 commercial aircraft orders.
But there’s a bottleneck. Talent shortages and outdated production timelines are straining the supply chain. That’s exactly where Jeh Aerospace comes in.
The Hyderabad-based company — with its headquarters in Atlanta for proximity to U.S. customers — produces metallic parts for aero engines and aircraft structures. And it’s not just the speed that grabs attention. It’s their unique, software-defined manufacturing approach.
The 15-Day Revolution
Jeh’s 60,000-square-foot plant in Southern India isn’t your typical machine shop. It’s a tech-powered facility packed with precision robotics, IoT systems, and analytics that enable dynamic scheduling and consistent output.
This isn’t just cool tech — it has real business impact.
Thanks to these systems, Jeh has:
- Delivered over 100,000 flight-critical parts and tools on time.
- Reached over 250,000 hours of machine capacity annually.
- Built a $100 million order book.
- Hit $6 million in yearly recurring revenue — and it’s profitable.
They’re now forecasting 3x to 4x ARR growth this year.
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
Investors Are Paying Attention
The startup just nailed an $11 million Series A round, led by Elevation Capital with General Catalyst joining in. The funding arrives shortly after a strategic (and undisclosed) investment from IndiGo Ventures, the venture arm of India’s biggest airline, IndiGo.
That brings Jeh’s total VC funding to around $15 million.
Ashray Iyengar of Elevation Capital described Jeh’s model as a “truly differentiated approach to aerospace manufacturing.”
And it seems that’s not an overstatement. Their current customer roster includes GS Precision in Vermont and RH Aero in Ohio. These Tier 1 suppliers are “high dollar, high ARR” clients, Sanghavi explained — and they’re building deep, long-term partnerships rather than chasing volume.
Not Your Average Aerospace Startup
There aren’t many aerospace component manufacturing startups in India right now, which puts Jeh in a rare position. There’s one peer — JJG Aero — but Sanghavi sees Jeh’s real competition in legacy Tier 2 suppliers in the U.S.
Besides tech and customers, Jeh is also serious about people. They’ve built a team of 100 and have a Center for Aerospace Skill to train talent for this complex industry. And on the advisory side? They’ve got people like former Boeing India President Pratyush Kumar and former Airbus India chief Dwaraka Srinivasan on board.
Scaling Up, Indian Style
India is already making waves in global manufacturing, from smartphones to EVs. Airbus sources $1.4 billion worth of components from India annually, with a target of $2 billion by 2030. Boeing’s not far behind, with a $1.3 billion goal and a brand-new $200 million center in Bengaluru.
But large-scale aerospace component manufacturing? Still a work in progress. Jeh Aerospace wants to close that gap.
With fresh capital, their next steps involve scaling inspection and production capacity using even more advanced digital tools. Think smarter machines, tighter quality control, faster everything.
Final Thoughts
Aircraft are intricate machines. Building one takes thousands of parts, months of time, and reliable precision. Jeh Aerospace is betting that India, with the right mix of tech, talent, and timing, can become a trusted global source for those parts.
And judging by how fast these engineers are moving, that bet looks like a good one.
