There was a time when Hari Krishnan, imagined a different path for himself. The plan was to pursue higher studies at an IIT and eventually work at ISRO. Entrepreneurship was not part of the picture. Years later, that journey has taken him into building DREAM Aerospace.

The journey began with a fascination for rockets, experimentation and the question of how things work. From early aerospace projects to building an experimental satellite, those interests gradually became the foundation for a much larger undertaking.

Today, DREAM Aerospace is developing green propulsion technologies, including its ATOM thruster and CUBEHOOD integrated propulsion module. But behind the products is a longer story about engineering, iteration, uncertainty and learning how to build something that must work beyond the laboratory.

In this conversation, Hari reflects on the experiences that shaped that journey, the realities of building DeepTech, and what it means to take aerospace technology from an idea towards space.

You once wrote that your original plan was to pursue a master's at IIT and eventually work at ISRO. What changed, and when did entrepreneurship become part of your journey?

I always imagined myself pursuing higher studies at an IIT and eventually contributing to India's space program through ISRO. Entrepreneurship wasn't something I had planned. However, as I worked on aerospace projects and later on an experimental satellite, I began identifying challenges in satellite propulsion that weren't being adequately addressed. That realization gradually shifted my mindset from working on technology to building the core. DREAM Aerospace was born out of the belief that we could create indigenous green propulsion technologies that would contribute to India's growing commercial space ecosystem.

When you and Rogith started DREAM Aerospace, what gap in satellite propulsion did you believe was worth spending years solving?

When Rogith and I started DREAM Aerospace, we saw a growing need for reliable, efficient, and sustainable propulsion systems as satellite constellations became more common. Propulsion is fundamental to every mission as it enables orbit raising, station keeping, collision avoidance, attitude control, formation flying, and end-of-life de-orbiting. Without an onboard propulsion system, a satellite's operational flexibility and mission life are significantly limited. We believed India needed indigenous propulsion technologies that could address these critical mission requirements while reducing dependency on imported solutions. That vision became the foundation of DREAM Aerospace.

What has been the hardest part of taking your propulsion technology from an engineering idea towards a product that can actually be used in a space mission?

Developing propulsion technology is only one part of the journey. The greater challenge lies in transforming a laboratory concept into a flight-qualified product. Every stage from design and analysis to manufacturing, testing, qualification, and system integration demands precision, patience, and continuous iteration. Building reliable hardware that can operate in the harsh environment of space requires not only engineering expertise but also resilience and long-term commitment.

What has built a company taught you that engineering alone could not?

Engineering teaches you how to solve technical problems, but building a company teaches you how to transform technology into real-world impact. Developing a propulsion system isn't just about designing thrusters it's about understanding customer needs, building the right team, securing resources, navigating uncertainty, and earning the confidence of the industry. One of the biggest lessons has been that breakthrough technology alone isn't enough; successful innovation comes from combining engineering excellence with execution, collaboration, and a long-term vision.

How have mentors, collaborators and the team you've built influenced the way DREAM Aerospace has evolved?

DREAM Aerospace has been shaped by the guidance of exceptional mentors who believed in our vision from the very beginning. We were privileged to be mentored by Dr.A. Sivathanu Pillai, Founder and Former CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, whose leadership and strategic insights inspired us to think beyond technology and build with purpose. We are equally grateful to Dr. Nandakumar and Mr. P. V. Venkitakrishnan, both former ISRO scientists, and Prof. Dinesh Kumar from Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, whose encouragement and technical guidance laid a strong foundation during our early years.

Our journey gained further momentum after incubation at IIT Kanpur, where Dr. Srinivas Dharavath and Prof. Abhijit Kushari provided invaluable technical mentorship that helped us strengthen our propulsion technologies and product development. We are especially indebted to Dr. Narayan Ramachandran, former Deputy Director of ISRO, whose unwavering guidance, deep technical expertise, and constant encouragement continue to be a source of inspiration for our team. His mentorship has played a defining role in shaping both our technical direction and long-term vision. We are also thankful to Prof. Srinu Gongolu from IIT Kanpur and Prof. Shelly Biswas from BITS Mesra, whose support and insights have been instrumental in our growth.

Behind every milestone at DREAM Aerospace is the collective effort of an extraordinary team, supported by mentors who have generously shared their knowledge, experience, and belief in our mission. Their guidance has not only helped us overcome challenges but has also strengthened our resolve to build world-class propulsion technologies from India for the global space industry.

What would you say to young engineers, researchers and aspiring founders who want to build in aerospace in India but are unsure about taking the leap into entrepreneurship?

The Indian space ecosystem today offers opportunities that didn't exist a decade ago. Building a Deep-Tech company is challenging, but if you're passionate about solving meaningful problems, the journey is incredibly rewarding. Stay curious, build strong technical foundations, seek mentors, and don't be afraid to start small. Every successful technology begins as an idea backed by consistent effort and perseverance.

At different stages of a DeepTech journey, founders need different kinds of support. What kind of mentorship, infrastructure, industry connections or ecosystem support has made the biggest difference to DREAM Aerospace? And how has iTNT Hub supported you as you moved from building the technology to scaling the startup?

iTNT Hub has played an important role in supporting DREAM Aerospace’s growth, including facilitating a ₹4.4 crore investment from Campus Angels Network. However, for DeepTech startups, support goes beyond funding. Access to specialised infrastructure, experienced mentors, industry networks and strategic partnerships is critical to moving technology towards commercialisation.

Through iTNT Hub, DREAM Aerospace has gained industry connections, greater visibility and opportunities to engage with investors, customers and technology partners. This ecosystem support has helped us move from developing innovative propulsion technologies to preparing them for commercial deployment and future in-orbit demonstrations.

In Conversation with the Founder is an iTNT Hub series featuring founders building DeepTech and Emerging Tech ventures, and exploring the ideas, decisions and experiences behind their journeys.