Kishen Raghunath

Kishen Raghunath is a seasoned engineer, entrepreneur, and investor with deep expertise in the aerospace and defense industry. He has made significant contributions to defense platforms and human spaceflight, including involvement in NASA's Artemis program. gatech

As an entrepreneur, Kishen co-founded Stellatus Solutions, a startup born from a University of Chicago 'Hacking for Defense' course, which focused on preventing satellite collisions. The company was successfully acquired by Slingshot Aerospace, where Kishen subsequently played a crucial role in the acquiring company's fivefold growth, raising over $100 million in venture capital and orchestrating $50 million in acquisitions. gatech+2

Currently, Kishen is a Principal at American Center for Manufacturing & Innovation (ACMI) Capital and an active angel investor in deep tech startups, particularly those focused on manufacturing, aerospace, and defense. His investment activities are within the $250K - $6.0M range. nfx+1

Academically, Kishen holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He has also contributed to academic writing, including a paper on the small satellite value chain. gatech+1

Beyond his professional endeavors, Kishen is involved in philanthropic activities, supporting early education in India through a venture philanthropy group and volunteering with Engineers Without Borders to develop sustainable solutions like biogas plants in rural communities. gatech