From a technical problem to a business opportunity, Ethereal Machines is pioneering the machining industry in India. The company’s journey began with the small steps of its founders Kaushik Mudda and Navin Jain, college students who were surprised by the limitations of their home-built robotic arms. This discovery led them to the world of computer numerical control (CNC) machining and laid the foundation for Ethereal Machines in 2014.

From innovation to disruption

Mudda and Jain initially focused on building simple three-axis CNC machines. However, as machining requirements grew more complex, they realized that three-axis systems were not enough to meet modern manufacturing requirements. Sensing an opportunity, they decided to develop their own five-axis CNC machine. This leap has won them international awards and established their name in the industry.

In 2018, after receiving a $1 million seed round from Blume Ventures, they spent four years perfecting and optimizing the product before launching it. Although they sold a few machines, even exporting them to Japan, they still faced skepticism from customers: "We'll use your machine for a year, then we'll pay you back."

Successful pivot

Faced with the difficulties, Mudda and Jain realized that instead of selling machines, providing direct machining services to customers globally would bring better business efficiency. From there, Ethereal Machines officially stopped selling CNC machines and switched to a "Manufacturing-as-a-Service" model. This decision helped the company's revenue increase 5 times within 12 months.

Ethereal Machines' journey is a testament to the spirit of innovation and outstanding adaptation. From initial challenges to significant transformation, they continue to lead the CNC machining industry and provide high quality solutions to the global market.