About
Ashwin Lalendran is Co-Founder of IndustriousAF and an early-stage investor focused on regulated and industrial sectors. He began his career at NASA working on Earth science and autonomous systems research, developed drone-based remote sensing systems to detect improvised explosive devices at the Air Force Research Laboratory, and led the engineering team behind the first aerial and indoor maps for Apple Maps. He has also co-founded a venture-backed startup and writes on AI, labor, and industrial policy, with work published in American Affairs and Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
Experience
- IndustriousAFCo-Foundercurrent2026 — presentSan Francisco, California, United States
- Various CompaniesAngel Investorcurrent2019 — presentSan Francisco, California, United States
- Moxxie VenturesInvestor2024 — 2026San Francisco, California, United States
- Phantom AutoVP, Product2022 — 2024San Francisco, California, United States
- Phantom AutoVP, Hardware Engineering2022San Francisco, California, United States
- On DeckVisiting Partner2021 — 2023San Francisco, California, United States
- Sofar OceanHead of Hardware Engineering2020 — 2021San Francisco, California, United States
- ArticaCo-Founder and CEO2017 — 2020San Francisco, California, United States
- AppleSoftware Engineer2015 — 2017Cupertino, California
- AppleHardware Engineering Lead2013 — 2015Cupertino, California
- Air Force Research LaboratoryAutonomous Systems Engineer2009 — 2013Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- University of Michigan Center for Entrepreneurship (CFE)Member of Board2008 — 2009Ann Arbor, Michigan
- MPowered EntrepreneurshipPresident and Co-Founder2007 — 2009Ann Arbor, Michigan
- NASA Ames Research CenterEngineering2008Moffett Field, California
- University of Michigan College of EngineeringCommittee Member2007Ann Arbor, Michigan
- SabóEngineering2006Plymouth, Michigan
Education
- University of MichiganBachelor's degree, Mechanical Engineering
- University of MichiganGrad school (Incomplete), Aerospace Engineering
Skills & more
Sensors9Systems Engineering22Engineering2Software Development2Product Development8System Design8Rapid Prototyping1Entrepreneurship5Systems Design5Research4Organizational Leadership1Unmanned Vehicles9
+12 more
BitcoinSpace SystemsFlight TestProgram ManagementProject ManagementBusiness StrategyMatlabLabviewiOSLeadershipManagementStrategy- Amateur Radio License — ARRL, The national association for Amateur Radio
From Ashwin's professional profile.
Same school
Also attended University of Michigan413
Erik TorenbergGeneral Partner at Andreessen HorowitzKarim FarisInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Glen AndersonPartner at Monta Vista CapitalAlexandra FarmerPrincipal at Intel Capital, North AmericaHannah KrootMarketing Lead at Intel CapitalScott ShawChief of Staff at Intel Capital
+ 407 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Various Companies147
Leonard PicardoAdvisor at Manta Ray VenturesYtsen van der MeerPrincipal at Cottonwood Technology FundHector MasonGeneral Partner at Episode1Danielle AbdelahadInvestor at Third Rock VenturesSiddharth RamakrishnanPrincipal at Scale Venture PartnersTroy A. LeMaile-StovallCEO at Maryland TEDCO
+ 141 more
Also worked at Phantom Auto3
Also worked at Sofar Ocean2
Also worked at Apple294
Reid HoffmanCo-founder of LinkedIn; Partner at GreylockJim BreyerFounder & CEO of Breyer CapitalSteve JurvetsonCo-founder of Future VenturesDamir BecirovicInvestor at Index VenturesNicolas MetzkeInvestor at DaphniTed KummertVenture partner at Madrona focused on enterprise infrastructure, data, and intelligent applications
+ 288 more
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