Siddhanta’s journey is a notable testament to the rising wave of India’s young entrepreneurs who navigate multiple high-impact domains with ease and vision. At only 25, Panda stands out as a commercial pilot, certified flight instructor, and the founder of ForgeMind, an AI-native tool for manufacturing that is gaining traction on the global stage.
Early Excellence and Dual Passions
Siddhanta’s academic journey began in one of India’s most respected schools, DPS RK Puram, where he consistently achieved significant national and international accolades, culminating in being an NTS scholar and performing well in the board examinations. He went on to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Engineering from the prestigious Georgia Tech, graduating with Faculty Honors. His unique combination of aviation discipline and technical prowess helped shape his entrepreneurial approach. According to Siddhanta, “Flying teaches resilience. When weather shifts or equipment fails, you don’t stop—you adapt. That same resilience is what I bring into building companies.” This philosophy anchors his transition between cockpits and boardrooms, influencing the way he leads and innovates.
ForgeMind: The Factory Brain of Tomorrow
While fintech brought Siddhanta early acclaim, his second venture, ForgeMind, aims to redefine global manufacturing. ForgeMind is designed as an AI-powered “factory brain”—a decision-making core that aggregates data from layouts, skill maps, and IoT telemetry to manage real-time production and maintenance decisions. This context graph helps optimize factory throughput and reliability by mapping machines, workflows, and worker capabilities. By making these advanced systems accessible even to small and mid-sized manufacturers, Panda is addressing the broader challenge of “reshoring” production and helping improve organizational efficiency for industries adapting to global shifts.
ForgeMind is also a response to the growing need for intelligent infrastructure in emerging economies. By equipping manufacturers with scalable, data-driven solutions it helps enable entire ecosystems to operate with greater autonomy and foresight. This not only supports productivity but fosters a culture of continuous improvement across industrial sectors.
Global Recognition and Futuristic Vision
ForgeMind’s admission into Antler’s highly selective AI residency signals growing recognition for Panda’s vision and disruptive potential. Antler is noted as the world’s most active AI investor, backing select startups that demonstrate rapid innovation and market fit. Being accepted into this program marks a significant milestone for any founder.
The Pilot’s Edge
Industry observers note that Siddhanta’s unique trajectory—blending flying, engineering at Nvidia, and entrepreneurship—is what sets him apart. Few founders can claim the kind of clarity that comes from commanding an aircraft in instrument conditions. Given the government’s focus on financial inclusion and technological upskilling, young entrepreneurs like Panda embody the leadership drive needed for nation-building. At 25, he is already a pilot, teacher, engineer, and founder—but above all, a man whose life has been shaped by the skies. And like any true aviator, he sees only one direction: upwards.
Industry experts routinely describe Siddhanta as a true polymath—comfortable coding, flying aircraft, instructing pilots, and pitching deep-tech innovations to top investors. Despite these achievements, Panda emphasizes that aviation will remain central: “Flying reminds me why I build—life is about freedom, precision, and responsibility.”
Defining a New Entrepreneurial Archetype
As India and the world face the demands of reshored manufacturing, financial inclusion, and technological upskilling, entrepreneurs like Siddhanta Panda embody the drive needed for leadership in a multipolar future. With two active companies and world-class credentials, he represents a new generation not limited by single industries, but by a boundless ambition to shape smarter, more sustainable futures. His work is rooted in innovation, adaptability, and a vision that bridges technology with practical solutions for tomorrow’s challenges. And like any true aviator, he sees only one direction: upwards.
