About
Rahul Bhati is the founder of Hilstart, having previously worked on power and thermal systems at Vessev and test rigs at Halter, and been part of the founding team at the powerbeaming company Aquila, where he contributed to wireless laser energy transmission technology across multiple engineering disciplines.
Founder at HilstartYC S26
Intro paths
YC
Rahul went through Y Combinator (Summer 2026) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Jared Friedman, YC Group Partner — the partner who ran Hilstart's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Rahul can intro founders to Hilstart's investors below.
Hilstart's investors · 1
Co-founders at Hilstart
Experience
- HILstartCo-Foundercurrent2026 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
- BlackbirdGiants Mentorcurrent2026 — presentSydney, NSW
- HalterMechatronics Intern2023Auckland, New Zealand
- HalterElectrical Engineering Intern2022 — 2023Auckland, New Zealand
- The University of Auckland Formula SAE TeamElectrons Team Member2022 — 2023
- The University of Auckland Formula SAE TeamAerodynamics Team Member2021 — 2022Auckland, New Zealand
- The University of Auckland Formula SAE TeamComposites Team Member2021 — 2022Auckland, New Zealand
- FORMULA FORDTrack Team Member2021 — 2022
- SeachangeVehicle Design Intern2021 — 2022Auckland, New Zealand
- VEX RoboticsTeam 240p - Robot Designer, Builder and Driver2018 — 2019Auckland, New Zealand
- VEX RoboticsTeam 2900D - Lead Robot Designer, Builder, Programmer and Driver2016 — 2018Auckland, New Zealand
Skills & more
Real-time Control Systems1Embedded Software Programming1Product DevelopmentControl Systems DesignSystem ArchitectureAutomationMachine DesignDesign for ManufacturingAccelerated Life TestingElectronic CircuitsHardware DevelopmentFinite Element Analysis (FEA)
+12 more
SolderingAltiumHVACSignal ProcessingPrinted Circuit Board (PCB) DesignRapid PrototypingComputer-Aided Design (CAD)DesignLinkedIn RecruiterPrototypingArduinoSOLIDWORKSFrom Rahul's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Rahul Bhati?
- Rahul Bhati is the founder of Hilstart, having previously worked on power and thermal systems at Vessev and test rigs at Halter, and been part of the founding team at the powerbeaming company Aquila, where he contributed to wireless laser energy transmission technology across multiple engineering disciplines.
- Where does Rahul Bhati work?
- Rahul Bhati is Founder of Hilstart.
- What companies did Rahul Bhati found?
- Rahul Bhati founded Hilstart.
- Where did Rahul Bhati go to school?
- Rahul Bhati studied at Y Combinator (S26); University of Auckland (Bachelor of Engineering - BE, Mechatronics); Onehunga High School.
Same school
Also attended Y Combinator2,000
Tarek MansourCo-founder & CEO of KalshiSuhail DoshiFounder of Mixpanel; founder of ParticleSubomi OluwalanaCo-founder & CEO of ConvoyArhaan A.Deeptech Fellow at Clear VenturesMaroof AhmedFounder at Octopus VenturesJustin SwartPartner at Bitkraft Esports Ventures
+ 1,994 more
Shared employers
Also worked at HILstart4
Also worked at Halter15
Spencer PunterPartner and COO at DCVC (Data Collective)Christina FaPrincipal at NewView CapitalSunil NagarajFounder and Managing Partner at Ubiquity VenturesTess HatchManaging Director at Stifel Venture BankingMatthew McGrathSenior Director of Investments at Alberta Enterprise CorporationConnor WiltshireData Analyst at Blackbird Foundry
+ 9 more