Rakesh Aghi

Board Member | CEO | President EMEA | Strategic Advisor | Driving Global Growth Across Defense, Aerospace, Geospatial Intelligence & Advanced Manufacturing For nearly four decades, I have built, scaled, and led manufacturing and technology businesses across the U.S., Middle East, and India, connecting strategy, capital, and technology to create lasting industrial value. U.S. Manufacturing Platforms As Founder & CEO of Cobra Carbide (Riverside, CA), one of the largest independent solid carbide cutting tool manufacturers on the West Coast, I have grown the company over 37 years into an AS9100 and ISO 9001 certified supplier approved by Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, and General Atomics, with distribution across 50+ countries. As President & CEO of Advanced Coating Technologies (Valencia, CA), I lead one of the largest independently owned pioneer thin film coating companies in the country, providing advanced PVD and CVD coatings to NASA, SpaceX, and critical defense, aerospace, firearms, and precision manufacturing companies. Defense & Geospatial Intelligence As President EMEA of Space Eyes (Miami, FL), I lead business development across the Middle East and allied markets for Counter UAS, maritime surveillance, and disaster response platforms, with a focus on sovereign wealth fund engagement, strategic defense partnerships, and NASDAQ IPO positioning. Cross Border Advisory Through The Yoddhaa Partners (Mumbai) and USISPF, I connect defense and industrial leaders across the U.S. and India to unlock partnerships, capital, and technology collaboration. I advise investors, OEMs, and policymakers on M&A, joint ventures, and industrial corridors that strengthen global defense supply chains. What I Bring to the Table A network of 6,000+ contacts across 40+ countries. Deep expertise in carbide supply chains, defense procurement, and aerospace manufacturing. Fluency in English and Hindi, bridging cultural and commercial divides to turn complex international opportunities into executable business models. Core Strengths: Strategic Growth & Partnerships · Defense & Aerospace Strategy · M&A & Capital Structuring · Sovereign Fund Engagement · U.S. India & Middle East Business Development · Board Governance