Zomato founder and CEO

Deepinder Goyal

is investing $20 million in

LAT Aerospace

, an aerospace startup founded by former Zomato executive

Surobhi Das

, reports Economic Times. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the report states that Goyal will take on a non-executive cofounder role. While Das—formerly Zomato's chief operating officer—will lead daily operations at the company, sources said.
“Both Das and Goyal are founders of the startup, but Goyal’s involvement will primarily be in the form of investment and mentorship,” one of the sources told the publication.
Currently operating in stealth mode, LAT Aerospace aims to develop low-cost short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft with seating capacity for up to 24 passengers. The startup focuses on improving regional air connectivity.
The company is reportedly in talks to raise $50 million in seed funding and is looking to recruit engineers specializing in aerodynamics, material sciences, and hybrid propulsion systems. “LAT Aerospace is distinct from air-taxi startups… It is developing aircraft with a range of up to 1,500 km,” another source said.

With its new aircraft model, LAT Aerospace aims to compete with industry giants like French-Italian manufacturer ATR and Canada’s Bombardier, whose jets are used by Indian airlines such as IndiGo and

SpiceJet

for regional routes.
“These planes will take off and land in compact ‘air-stops’ no bigger than a parking lot, eliminating the need for large airport facilities,” the source added. Unlike vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft used for intra-city transport, LAT Aerospace’s STOL planes will focus on longer intercity routes.

In another news, Zomato shareholders have approved a proposal to rename the parent company as Eternal Ltd, reports Economic Times. The rebranded entity will oversee four key 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. It adopted the Zomato name in 2010. The Eternal branding was initially introduced internally in 2022, following the acquisition of Blinkit (formerly Grofers) and an organizational restructuring that established separate CEOs for each business unit.