Ex-Air Force Pilot Turns Entrepreneur, Launches Thriving Ultra-Sports Events Company with LaunchPilot School

Career transitions are never simple. Whether you’re a student stepping into the real world or a professional considering something new, the fear of starting over is always there. Years of effort and expertise in one field don’t automatically translate into another, and entrepreneurship, with all its uncertainties, often feels like the biggest leap of all.

Yet, some people take that leap. And when they do, they prove that starting again is not about losing what you’ve learned, but about applying it differently. One such example is Reyo Augustine, an Indian Air Force pilot who is now building his own startup with the support of LaunchPilot, a business school designed for aspiring founders.

Meet Reyo: A life in the Air Force

Reyo spent more than a decade in service with the Indian Air Force. His journey was defined by discipline, precision, and leadership under pressure. Over the years, he logged more than 750 flying hours, led missions with up to 60 aircraft, and even commanded India’s easternmost airbase.

Reyo was entrusted with flying some of India’s top leaders, including the President and the Prime Minister, where there was no margin for error. Every mission demanded focus, resilience, and the ability to make quick decisions in high-stakes situations.

These experiences shaped him into a leader who could stay calm under pressure and guide teams toward critical outcomes. But by May 2025, Reyo felt it was time to take on a new mission.

The Desire to Build Something New

After years of serving in uniform, Reyo wanted to channel his skills into something that could make an impact in a completely different space. 

He envisioned an ultra sports events company that could bring world-class endurance races to India and create opportunities for athletes and enthusiasts alike. The dream was to position India as a global hub for endurance sports, much like how marathons or Ironman events draw international attention elsewhere.

But turning this dream into reality wasn’t straightforward. Reyo had the discipline and clarity of a pilot, but entrepreneurship required tools he had never used before, from business planning and marketing to fundraising and building a network.

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The Missing Link

This is where most aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck. The idea may be strong, but without the right ecosystem, mentorship, and practical guidance, most startups don’t even make it past the first stage.

That’s when Reyo discovered LaunchPilot, a business school that’s not designed for corporate placements, but for people who want to build startups while learning.

LaunchPilot: Building Companies, Not Just Careers

Founded with the vision of being a new-age business school for startups, LaunchPilot redefines what an MBA can mean for entrepreneurs. Unlike traditional programs, its Global Startup MBA focuses on outcomes.

Here’s what makes it different:

1. Build While You Learn: Students work on their startup ideas throughout the program, applying every concept directly to their ventures.
2. Mentorship from Practitioners: Guidance comes from founders, investors, and startup operators who have built and scaled companies.
3. Global Exposure: Immersions in Singapore, Boston, and IIT Bombay expose students to diverse startup ecosystems.
4. Safety Net: If a student’s venture doesn’t work out, LaunchPilot connects them to jobs in high-growth startups, ensuring their efforts still pay off.

This hands-on, practical approach is what attracted Reyo, and it soon became the launchpad for his entrepreneurial journey.

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From Ideas to Action

When Reyo joined LaunchPilot in January 2025, he came with several ideas but no clear roadmap. The program helped him narrow his focus, refine his vision, and translate it into an executable business plan.

With consistent mentorship and exposure to global practices, Reyo began to put his startup together piece by piece. Within a few months, he had:

1. Formed a core team that shared his passion for endurance sports.
2. Started generating revenue by laying early foundations of the business.
3. Finalized the venue for his first major event, scheduled for February 2026.
4. Opened discussions with Kerala Tourism officials for partnerships. 
5. Even engaged with the family office of M.S. Dhoni for potential collaboration.

This progress, achieved in a short span, showed how quickly discipline combined with the right guidance could bring an idea to life.

Reflecting on this shift, Reyo says:

“From the cockpit to the starting line, I’m channeling years of military precision into building ultra-sporting events. LaunchPilot gave me the roadmap and the confidence to make it happen.”

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LaunchPilot’s Growing Impact

Reyo’s journey is one among many. Since its inception in 2023, LaunchPilot has worked with more than 150 students across Singapore, Boston, and India. Of them, around 60–70 have already gone on to build startups, while others are contributing to the growth of high-potential companies.

The school has collaborated with top universities, created a network of global mentors, and positioned itself as a platform that focuses on results rather than theory. For students and professionals, it has become a credible path to transform ideas into action.

As Sarvesh Tusnial, co-founder of LaunchPilot, explains:

“If an Air Force officer can trust us with his transition into entrepreneurship, it shows the credibility of our program. Our goal is simple, to ensure that every student who joins us walks out with an outcome, whether that’s a company or a meaningful role in the startup ecosystem.”

A New Mission Ahead

For Reyo, the uniform may have changed, but the mission continues. Where once he led teams in the air, today he’s preparing to bring India’s endurance sports community together on the ground.

His journey reflects a larger truth: qualities like discipline, clarity, and resilience can power success in any field, as long as there’s the right support system to guide the way.

And that’s exactly what LaunchPilot is offering, a place where ambitious individuals can take their ideas seriously, test them against real-world conditions, and walk away with tangible results.

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