AGORA SPACE TECHNOLOGIES: Reinventing Strategic Innovation in Aviation

The aerospace industry is a driving force behind technological innovation and scientific progress, influencing everything from global commercial flights to space missions. It demands cutting-edge engineering and creative problem-solving to navigate complex supply chain challenges while upholding rigorous safety and efficiency standards. As it pushes the boundaries of what's possible, the industry continuously fuels advancements in materials science, avionics, and sustainable technologies, impacting numerous sectors worldwide. In a rapidly evolving world, aerospace remains at the forefront of both exploration and transformation.

Historically, the aviation industry has contended with complex global logistics, fluctuating fuel prices, and regulatory hurdles. However, in recent years, the supply chain has faced even greater challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the surge in air transport demand that followed. The pandemic introduced unprecedented disruptions—delays in critical materials, labor shortages, and breakdowns in traditional supply networks. As the industry continues to rebound, the pressure to meet increasing demand while navigating both longstanding and emerging challenges has made supply chain management a crucial area for innovation and strategic focus. Companies offering creative solutions are poised to gain recognition and position themselves as leaders in this rapidly evolving market.

While many companies in the industry are working to address supply chain challenges, one start-up has garnered industry-wide attention. Founded with a vision to transform aviation supply chains, AGORA SPACE TECHNOLOGIES has quickly established itself as a leader in aerospace engineering, FAA certification development, and manufacturing world-class alternative parts for commercial aviation. Headquartered in Santa Ana, California, Agora Space Technologies serves the industry as a ground-breaking aerospace engineering and components design company that delivers comprehensive, tailored solutions for global clients, including specialized engineering services, streamlined FAA certifications, and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The company’s mission revolves around supporting the global aviation community, including Airlines, MROs, and OEMs by addressing complex supply-chain issues. Guided by the belief that no problem is too big to solve, the company leverages data-driven insights, advanced analytics, and cutting-edge manufacturing processes to tackle industry-wide challenges. Its approach emphasizes collaboration and knowledge sharing, working closely with partners to co-create innovative solutions that meaningfully impact supply chain performance.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Zahra El-Zein and Rocky Bandzeladze, co-founders of Agora Space Technologies, to gain insight into their journey and vision for the organization. Here’s what they had to share:

Q: What inspired you to start Agora Space Technologies?

Zahra: It all began when my husband and I purchased a small machine shop in Orange County, CA in 2014. The operation started humbly, with just six employees dedicated to manufacturing various aviation parts. Recognizing the untapped potential in a rapidly expanding space exploration industry, we refocused the company to serve this sector.

In just six short years, through strategic acquisitions and significant organic growth, the company expanded to over eighty employees and manufactured more than a thousand parts for various space missions. It quickly earned a reputation as the premier manufacturing facility for space exploration, celebrated for its value-added engineering and dependable quality management.

Yet, while the company thrived in the space sector, a new opportunity began to present itself. Partners from the aviation industry, grappling with a tightening supply chain, repeatedly approached us for help producing quality parts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these requests became more frequent and urgent. The team saw a chance to leverage our deep engineering and manufacturing expertise to serve a different but related market.

After two years of careful deliberation, the decision was made to launch a separate entity, one with a unique management and ownership structure, to focus exclusively on the aviation industry while allowing the original company to continue its pioneering work in space exploration. I have known Rocky for the past 10 years and invited him to be partnered with me on this venture. On April 1, 2023, Agora Space Technologies was born.

Q: What is the company’s mission?

Rocky: Our mission is alleviating supply chain challenges by offering world-class aftermarket parts for commercial aviation. We work closely with clients, gaining a deep understanding of their challenges and co-creating innovative solutions. Our innovative approach, combining advanced manufacturing capabilities with streamlined FAA certifications and agile contract management, enables us to provide rapid solutions to clients struggling with aircraft-on-ground (AOG) issues and other supply chain disruptions.

We value-proposition was quickly recognized by airlines and MROs, filling a critical gap in the aviation supply chain with precision-engineered parts and unparalleled service. As the company continues to grow, we remain driven by the same pioneering spirit that transformed a small machine shop into a key player in the space industry: a commitment to innovation, quality, and collaboration.

Q: What are the key values that drive your organization’s culture and mission?

Zahra: When we founded the company, Rocky and I, along with our core team, sat down to discuss what truly unified us as individuals and the kind of company we wanted to build. This conversation wasn't just about business strategy—it was about defining the values that would guide every decision and action we took moving forward.

At the core, we believe there is no problem we can't solve. This mentality drives our innovation and resilience, no matter how complex or challenging a situation may seem. It’s a belief that solutions are always within reach when we work collaboratively and remain committed to excellence.

Another key value that defines us is our commitment to quality, which serves as the foundation for everything we do. Whether it's in the products we develop, the partnerships we cultivate, or the way we engage with clients and employees, quality is the non-negotiable standard.

We are also deeply committed to sharing the financial rewards and successes of the company with all our stakeholders. Our belief is that success should be inclusive, not only benefiting leadership but also rewarding those who contribute to it—our employees, clients, and partners.

Finally, we never lose sight of what makes us truly successful: our people. Our employees, our clients, and our partners are the heartbeat of this company. We make it a priority to cultivate strong, enduring relationships, knowing that these connections fuel the growth and sustainability of our business.

These values are not just words on paper—they are principles we live by every day. They guide our decisions and define our culture.

Q: How does Agora Space Technologies differentiate itself from competitors in the industry?

Rocky: Agora Space Technologies stands apart from competitors in several significant ways. First, unlike many companies in our industry that typically outsource key aspects of their work, we handle all projects from cradle to grave. This means that every part we engineer is developed, prototyped, inspected, and manufactured entirely in-house. We take our designs through FAA certification to ensure airworthiness, and then we manufacture the parts ourselves. By keeping all core functions within the company, we not only maintain the highest quality standards but also gain a competitive advantage in terms of speed and cost-efficiency. With this business model we’re able to deliver solutions more rapidly and at a lower cost to our clients, which is crucial in this fast-paced and demanding industry.

Equally important to our business model is the world-class team we've assembled, composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This diversity isn’t just a buzzword for us—it’s a strategic advantage. By bringing together leaders and experts with different perspectives, we are able to see problems from multiple angles and uncover solutions that others might miss. This collaborative, inclusive approach allows us to be more innovative and adaptive, which is crucial in an industry as complex as aerospace.

Our company's name, "Agora," is no coincidence. It’s inspired by the ancient Greek marketplace—a place where people from all walks of life gathered to exchange ideas, debate, and foster innovation. This same spirit drives our organization today. Our ability to combine technical excellence with a diverse and innovative leadership team is what truly sets Agora Space Technologies apart from the competition. We don’t just develop aerospace solutions—we create a culture of innovation and collaboration that drives success across every aspect of our business.

Our solutions are tailored to not only reduce these costs but also enhance operational efficiency and help airlines meet strict regulatory requirements. By partnering with Agora, operators can ensure their aircraft return to service quickly and remain operational, minimizing downtime and maximizing profitability.

Our company’s New Product Introduction (NPI) division explores multiple pathways to tackle specific component-related problems, while its Design for Manufacturing (DFM) division focuses on reimagining existing designs to enhance performance and reliability.

Lastly, as Rocky mentioned before, our ability to handle all aspects of producing alternative parts—from engineering and prototype development to FAA certification and in-house manufacturing—gives us a competitive edge. It allows us to provide fast, cost-effective solutions that directly address the challenges our clients face, particularly in time-sensitive and high-cost scenarios like AOG events.

Q: How does Agora approach new projects?

Rocky: Our approach to projects is thorough and multi-faceted. When we review a project, we assess it from various angles to ensure we’re not just solving the immediate need but also improving the part in every possible way. From an engineering perspective, our seasoned engineers and DERs (Designated Engineering Representatives by the FAA) do not miss a beat. We analyse the root cause of part failures, identify weak points, and determine what features can be enhanced to make the part more durable and efficient. From a quality standpoint, we meticulously evaluate each step of the project to ensure compliance with all benchmarks set by the AS9100 and ISO9001 certification standards for quality management systems. On the manufacturing side, we explore how we can create a production process that increases strength and quality, and even eliminate potential issues—all while maintaining the part’s form, fit, and function. From a financial standpoint, we focus on generating long-term value for our partners. This means developing solutions that not only reduce immediate costs but also create lasting financial rewards by improving operational efficiency and reliability over time. By working with us, our partners benefit from more than just cost savings—they gain ongoing returns from parts that are built to last, helping to minimize downtime and reduce long-term operational expenses.

We also recognize the importance of working closely with Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) companies. When MROs face supply chain headaches—whether dealing with parts that are scarce, no longer supported by OEMs, or plagued by high costs and quality issues—they turn to us. By assisting MROs in securing PMA certifications, we enable them to lower maintenance expenses and improve service turnaround times. This collaborative approach ensures that our solutions benefit both airlines and MROs, driving more efficient and reliable operations across the industry.

Q: How do companies discover and connect with Agora Space Technologies?

Rocky: We’ve been fortunate to begin our journey with strong partnerships in the airline and MRO sectors. From the start, we believed that actions speak louder than words, and as we consistently delivered on our promises, those initial partners entrusted us with more projects. This trust and proven track record naturally led to word-of-mouth referrals. As we worked on dozens of new projects this year, our reputation has grown, and the industry has taken notice of our capabilities. This exposure has led to ongoing engagement with new colleagues and clients who now rely on us for solutions to their supply chain challenges.

Zahra: We also engage with the global aerospace community by participating in major industry conferences and trade shows, including the Paris Air Show, AIX Hamburg, the Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA) conference, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) events, MRO Americas, Air Carriers Purchasing Conference (ACPC), and Women in Aviation International. These events serve as key platforms for showcasing their latest innovations, networking with industry leaders, and contributing to knowledge-sharing sessions that shape the future of aerospace.

Q: Where do you see Agora Space Technologies in the next five years?

Rocky: We’ve had an incredible start so far, and the momentum we’ve built has positioned us for even greater growth in the coming years. Our goal is to continue expanding our partnerships with airlines and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) companies, deepening our relationships and providing even more innovative solutions tailored to their needs. In the next five years, we envision Agora Space Technologies becoming a trusted leader in the aerospace industry, known for quality and reliability of our PMA parts.

Zahra: We are continuously looking to expand our service offerings, develop new technologies, and improve supply chain capabilities to meet the evolving needs of our clients. Our strategic focus includes exploring the emerging eVTOL industry, providing high-quality parts and maintenance services to support the growth and safety of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. We remain committed to innovation and collaboration, ensuring we contribute to the advancement of the aerospace industry.