Shivam Chauhan (Sarla Aviation)

Overview

Shivam Chauhan is an Indian entrepreneur and the co-founder of Sarla Aviation, a startup focused on developing electric flying taxis for urban air mobility. The company, founded in 2024, aims to revolutionize transportation in India by offering sustainable and affordable air mobility solutions. Sarla Aviation has gained attention for its innovative electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, designed to address urban mobility challenges such as traffic congestion and pollution.

Recent Developments

In recent years, Shivam Chauhan and Sarla Aviation have been involved in several significant developments:

January 15, 2025: Sarla Aviation announced a $10 million Series A1 funding round led by Accel, with participation from notable investors including Binny Bansal and Nikhil Kamath. The funds will be used to establish a research and development center in Bengaluru and to expand the company's team [1][2][3].
January 17, 2025: Sarla Aviation plans to unveil its first flying taxi prototype named "Shunya" at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi. This prototype is expected to launch commercially by 2028.
2024: The company secured a partnership with Bangalore International Airport to prepare for the rollout of its flying taxi service, aimed at providing rapid and affordable mobility solutions [4][5].

Personal Information

Attribute	Information
Full Name	Shivam Chauhan
Born	Unknown
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Entrepreneur, Co-founder of Sarla Aviation
Known For	Co-founding Sarla Aviation
Net Worth	Not publicly available
Education	San Jose State University

Early Life and Education

Shivam Chauhan was raised in India, where the growing urbanization and transportation challenges likely influenced his career path. He pursued higher education at San Jose State University in the United States, where he gained valuable insights into aerospace and technology fields. His professional journey began with roles at prominent aviation companies such as Joby Aviation, which helped him acquire crucial skills and experience in electric aviation.

Career and Notable Achievements

Shivam Chauhan's entrepreneurial journey is marked by several key milestones:

Co-founding Sarla Aviation in January 2024 alongside Adrian Schmidt and Rakesh Gaonkar. The startup focuses on developing eVTOL aircraft aimed at transforming urban transportation in India.
Raising significant capital in early-stage funding rounds, with a recent $10 million secured in Series A1 funding led by Accel.
Developing "Shunya," a prototype flying taxi with a capacity to accommodate six passengers and a pilot, showcasing at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

Current Work and Impact

Currently, Shivam Chauhan is actively involved in the development and strategic expansion of Sarla Aviation. Under his leadership, the company is working towards the commercial launch of flying taxis in key Indian cities by 2028. Sarla Aviation aims to make air mobility as affordable as traditional ride-sharing services, with long-term goals of integrating air taxis into daily urban commutes [6].

Conclusion

Shivam Chauhan's innovative vision and strategic leadership at Sarla Aviation are set to play a crucial role in altering the landscape of urban transportation in India. His work in developing electric flying taxis addresses critical urban challenges like congestion and pollution and marks a significant step towards sustainable mass transportation solutions. As Sarla Aviation gears up for its commercial launch in 2028, Chauhan's contributions may lead to groundbreaking changes in how people navigate urban spaces.