Find your path to Jon
187 people in our graph share verified history with Jon — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Caroline PinkneyunlockedJon: together at Texas Christian University (1997–1998)
×7Jon: together at Texas Christian University
×4Jon: together at Thunderbird School of Global Management
About
Jon Hegranes is a two-time founder who established Aloft in 2015, developing an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier and LAANC network that provided real-time airspace authorizations for enterprise, public safety, and government drone operations. Aloft was acquired by Versaterm in 2026. He has served on the FAA Drone Advisory Committee and the BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee, working on policy related to Part 108, UTM, and advanced air mobility.
CEO at Aloft
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In turn, Jon can intro founders to Aloft's investors below.
Aloft's investors · 8
75 & SunnyLos Angeles · $100K – $5M checks · since 2021Andreessen HorowitzMenlo Park · $500K – $50M checks · since 2021Bonfire VenturesLos Angeles · $2M – $4M checksDecisive PointWashington · $500K – $1M checksFifth WallLos Angeles · $250K – $100M checks · since 2021GENIUS NYSyracuse · $500K – $1M checksKluz VenturesRockvilleMetaPropNew York · $100K – $1M checks · since 2021
Co-founders at Aloft
YD
Yongxing DengExecutive Officer
JZ
Joshua ZieringFounder
Experience
- …!?Independent Operatorcurrent2026 — presentWashington, District of Columbia, United States
- DAC (Drone Advisory Council)Founder, Executive Councilcurrent2023 — presentWashington DC-Baltimore Area
- AloftFounder & CEO (Aloft Acquired by Versaterm)2015 — 2026Washington DC-Baltimore Area
- Commercial Drone AllianceBoard Member2021 — 2022Washington, District of Columbia, United States
- National Business Aviation AssociationNBAA Emerging Technologies Committee2019 — 2022San Francisco Bay Area
- Global Press InstituteSpecial Advisor, New Media & Technology2016 — 2017San Francisco Bay Area
- CarrotAdvisor2016San Francisco Bay Area
- AirBearMaker2015 — 2016San Francisco Bay Area
- FantexDirector Product Management2013 — 2015San Francisco, CA
- Global Press InstituteVice President & Board of Directors2006 — 2014San Francisco, CA
- DisqusPlatform & Revenue Team2012 — 2013New York, NY
- Workables.comCo-Founder2010 — 2011Marina Del Rey
- WPT Enterprises (World Poker Tour)Director of Strategic Business Development2007 — 2008Los Angeles
- CogentConsulting Associate2006 — 2007San Francisco Bay Area
- BAMC, IncHedge Fund Analyst2001 — 2004Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
Skills & more
Swift3Artificial Intelligence (AI)AviationAerospaceC-UASDefenseStart-ups91Strategy63Entrepreneurship51Strategic Planning21Social Media19Competitive Analysis11
+12 more
Marketing StrategyNew Business DevelopmentMarket ResearchSocial NetworkingBusiness PlanningNegotiationStrategic PartnershipsVenture CapitalLeadershipStrategic ThinkingStrategy DevelopmentProject ManagementLanguages Chinese · English
- FAA License Part 107 — Federal Aviation Administration
- Chartered Financial Analyst — CFA Institute
From Jon's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Jon Hegranes?
- Jon Hegranes is a two-time founder who established Aloft in 2015, developing an FAA-approved UAS Service Supplier and LAANC network that provided real-time airspace authorizations for enterprise, public safety, and government drone operations. Aloft was acquired by Versaterm in 2026. He has served on the FAA Drone Advisory Committee and the BVLOS Aviation Rulemaking Committee, working on policy related to Part 108, UTM, and advanced air mobility.
- Where does Jon Hegranes work?
- Jon Hegranes is CEO of Aloft.
- What companies did Jon Hegranes found?
- Jon Hegranes founded Aloft.
- Where did Jon Hegranes go to school?
- Jon Hegranes studied at Texas Christian University (BBA, Finance & Accounting); Thunderbird School of Global Management (MBA, Global Management).
Founder mafias
Thunderbird School of Global Management mafia17
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
John HewittMaster of Business Administration (M.B.A.)Founded Robertshaw +1Lucrecia PortaDisruptive Innovation for Family Businesses programFounded Wibond +1Cora LeibigExecutive educationFounded Chromatic 3D Materials Inc. +1Jim WardM.I.M.Founded Meow WolfHoward LindzonFounded StockTwitsMatt OberFounded StockTwits
+ 10 more
Texas Christian University mafia13
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Stephanie AlsbrooksBachelor of ArtsFounded DEFI Solutions +1Brian AlveyBSFounded Ceros +1Marshall PorterBAFounded GympassIan CharlesBBAFounded Arctos Sports PartnersTanner HoustonBachelor of Business Administration (BBA)Founded Arctos Sports PartnersAna GaleasMaster's degreeFounded BotSociety
+ 6 more
Same school
Also attended Texas Christian University76
Mason NystromInvestor at Pantera CapitalMarina BeveridgeDirector, Strategy & Network Development at Sapphire VenturesJack RobersonInvestor at 8VCMarshall PorterGeneral Partner at AlleyCorpConner LovelyInvestor at CapitalGLindel EakmanGeneral Partner at Foundry
+ 70 more
Also attended Thunderbird School of Global Management75
MarkInvestor at Eudemian VenturesJim WardInvestor at Alsop Louie PartnersGina DomanigManaging Partner, CEO at Emerald Technology Ventures AgAndrew OgawaManaging Partner and Founder at Quest Venture PartnersBrett McMickellAdvisor at Tall Grass VenturesAnna ShenMarketing at Raiven
+ 69 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Aloft2
Also worked at Commercial Drone Alliance3
Also worked at Carrot7
Stephanie PalmeriPartner at NextView VenturesReid ChristianGeneral Partner at CRV (Charles River Ventures)Dafina TonchevaGeneral Partner at US Venture PartnersMolly BonakdarpourPartner at Drive CapitalMolly McCartinPartner at Drive CapitalRachel O’DriscollFounder at Simbie AI
+ 1 more
