In the rapidly evolving aerospace industry, the development of cutting-edge technologies often presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of engineering complexity and certification requirements. These factors frequently contribute to extended development timelines and increased costs. Salient Motion has addressed these industry-wide concerns by introducing an innovative modular motion control platform that seamlessly integrates both software and hardware components. This strategic approach has enabled Salient Motion to substantially reduce development and certification timelines. By leveraging modularization techniques that adhere to FAA standards, the company has successfully created a comprehensive repository of pre-approved building blocks. These components serve as a foundation for developing sophisticated, airworthy systems with enhanced efficiency. Motion control technology is a critical element in nearly every electromechanical subsystem within modern aircraft. Recognizing this, Salient Motion has positioned itself to address a wide range of applications, from landing gear parts to waste management systems in aircraft lavatories. This versatility is achieved through the company’s integrated hardware, firmware, and software solutions. A typical modern aircraft comprises approximately three million discrete parts; many of these components have traditionally been challenging to source economically due to limited supplier options. Salient Motion aims to transform this landscape by significantly expanding the available choices for aircraft manufacturers and operators.
LA TechWatch caught up with Salient Motion CEO and Cofounder Vishaal Mali to learn more about the business, the company’s strategic plans, latest round of funding, and much, much more…
Who were your investors and how much did you raise?
Pre-seed and seed. $12M across both rounds. Seed round was led by Cantos. Pre-seed was led by a16z. List of investors included Cantos, Andreessen Horowitz, AE Ventures, Hummingbird Ventures, and BoxGroup.’
Tell us about your product or service.
Our core innovation is our modular motion control platform, from software to hardware. We leverage best-in-class silicon to push complexity in airborne systems from hardware to software. Certifying this software to FAA standards across multiple functions and Design Assurance Levels (DALs) creates a library of certifiable “building blocks.” By using these building blocks, our customers can dramatically reduce development time & costs for new components.
Key features of the Motion Control Platform include:
- Modular design architecture enabling significant reusability across different components and DALs.
- Increased reliance on software for functionality traditionally managed by hardware.
- A streamlined approach to FAA certification, with the goal of reducing approval times by 50%.
- Enhanced reliability and maintainability, extending component lifespans and decreasing time and cost dedicated to maintenance.
Focus on partnership, not purchase orders, with OEMs. Customers benefit from zero NRE and aftermarket revenue shares.
What inspired the start of Salient Motion?
We were inspired to start Salient Motion due to the mini-monopoly created by incumbent manufacturers driving up the cost and manufacturing time of aviation parts. With the high cost to design and certify an aviation part, many businesses decided to move forward with single-sourced components which led to price gouging.
Our modular approach will drastically change the economics of component design and manufacturing and enable much quicker turnaround time.
Furthermore, due to the costly certification process, many parts on the aircraft can be designed to be much more efficient, easier to maintain and reduce overall cost of part ownership.
How is it different?
Underpinning every Salient Motion product is a proprietary motion control library driving electrical efficiency and cost improvements across a wide variety of electromechanical components. Through our software technology we can make a motion control part that might take two years to manufacture in under 6 months. Drastically reducing time and cost.
What market you are targeting and how big is it?
Aviation, military, and industrial manufacturing markets.
What’s your business model?
Our approach to reducing the upfront certification and development costs enables us to tackle low-volume components that are critical for the industrial base, but other suppliers aren’t willing to do.
How are you preparing for a potential economic slowdown?
The aerospace and defense sectors continue to grow at a rapid pace. With the funding and our current customer base, we are prepared and funded for our continual growth.
What was the funding process like?
Salient Motion secured a total of $12M in funding through preseed and seed rounds, with Cantos Ventures leading the investment. The funding process also involved participation from notable investors including Andreessen Horowitz, AE Ventures, Hummingbird Ventures, and BoxGroup, indicating strong interest from venture capital firms in Salient Motion’s innovative approach to aerospace and defense component supply.
What are the biggest challenges that you faced while raising capital?
It’s important to have high conviction in what you’re building – it requires patience but will attract the best investors for your business.
What factors about your business led your investors to write the check?
Our investors were compelled by two key factors: how common motion control technologies are and our innovative approach to optimizing them. Once we illustrated how electrical motors power countless components across industries, investors quickly grasped the vast market potential. Coupled with our ability to significantly reduce costs and improve manufacturing efficiency for these critical components, they saw a clear opportunity.
What are the milestones you plan to achieve in the next six months?
We plan to build the team from 12 people to 20 and expand our manufacturing footprint in Southern California with a new lease in Torrance as well as continue serving new and existing customers.
What advice can you offer companies in Los Angeles that do not have a fresh injection of capital in the bank?
Resilience is the key to any successful startup. If you have drive, ambition, and surround yourself with talented individuals – the success and capital will come in time.
Where do you see the company going now over the near term?
We plan to continue hiring great talent and keep designing and manufacturing components for our customers.
What’s your favorite outdoor activity in LA?
My favorite outdoor activity is going for a swim in the ocean!
