From commanding airbases and flying India’s top leaders to building ultra-sporting events, former Indian Air Force pilot Reyo Augustine has taken on a new mission. After serving more than a decade in the Air Force, logging over 750 flying hours and leading major missions, Reyo decided in May 2025 to transition from the cockpit to entrepreneurship. His vision is to bring world-class endurance races to India, offering fresh opportunities for athletes and adventure enthusiasts.
However, the shift from military service to business was not without challenges. While Reyo’s discipline and leadership were unmatched, he lacked experience in areas like fundraising, marketing, and building a strong startup network. This is where LaunchPilot Business School came in. The Global Startup MBA programme, with learning modules in Singapore, Boston, and IIT Bombay, helped him translate his ideas into actionable plans while also providing a safety net of startup career opportunities.
Joining the programme in January 2025, Reyo quickly transformed his concept into reality. Within months, he formed a core team, began generating revenue, and locked in his first major ultra-sports event for February 2026. In an interview, Reyo credited the programme for shaping his entrepreneurial path, stating that he was channeling years of military precision into building events that could place India on the global endurance sports map.
Reyo’s success story highlights the growing role of LaunchPilot in shaping future entrepreneurs. Since 2023, the initiative has supported over 150 founders, with nearly half already building their ventures. Co-founder Sarvesh Tusnial remarked that Reyo’s trust in the programme underlines its credibility, adding that their mission is to ensure every participant graduates with a tangible outcome. For Reyo, the uniform may have changed, but the mission continues with equal determination.
