Diaspora Star | Oluseun Taiwo : Engineering the Future of Aerospace from the Ground Up

In the increasingly dynamic world of aerospace manufacturing, one name stands out for its vision, technical ingenuity, and sheer audacity Oluseun Taiwo, a Nigerian-born innovator redefining the contours of modern aerospace production. As the Founder and CEO of Solideon, Taiwo is not just building components, he’s building a future where rockets, satellites, and aircraft can be rapidly manufactured and deployed with unprecedented speed and precision.

From 3D printing rocket engines at Rocket Lab to leading manufacturing innovation at Virgin Orbit, Taiwo’s trajectory is a compelling blend of technical brilliance and entrepreneurial grit. Today, Solideon his brainchild boasts the distinction of being the only large-scale manufacturer capable of building any aerospace vehicle, and it's doing so up to 70% faster than traditional methods.

Taiwo’s story begins in a research lab at Northern Illinois University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering Technology. There, he worked with early metal 3D printing technologies, laying the foundation for his future work in additive manufacturing. This academic grounding was crucial, not only did it provide him with hands-on experience in design and engineering, but it also honed his skills in AutoCAD, CAD design, and project management, tools that are now central to Solideon's operation.

The experience sparked a fascination with manufacturing technologies that eventually led him to Rocket Lab USA, where he 3D-printed the first engine to reach orbit. This early exposure laid the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the aerospace supply chain challenges that would later become the catalyst for Solideon.

Solideon’s key differentiator lies in its fusion of additive and subtractive manufacturing, integrated with advanced robotic arms, real-time inspection tools, and intelligent assembly systems. With ambitions to one day manufacture entire spacecraft in orbit, Solideon is pushing the boundaries of what's possible through high-autonomy manufacturing ecosystems.

With the new deadline, the project aims to expand access to digital identity, enabling more Nigerians to benefit from economic and social inclusion while strengthening the country’s position in digital transformation across Africa.

Notably, Taiwo’s concept of “factory-in-a-box” modular, deployable robotic units signals a radical departure from the fixed-location model that dominates aerospace manufacturing today. The ability to produce components or entire systems wherever they’re needed has massive implications, particularly in defense, humanitarian aid, and deep space exploration.

Despite the grand vision, scaling such a cutting-edge operation hasn’t been without its hurdles. Turning pitch deck concepts into working, scalable production lines has required relentless innovation and a team capable of turning fiction into reality. Solideon recently raised $5.1 million in funding a significant milestone and Taiwo remains laser-focused on building a team of top-tier engineers and tinkerers who can bring the vision to life.

At the heart of Solideon’s approach is the integration of AI and data analytics into every aspect of production. By capturing, interpreting, and acting on data in real time, Solideon is creating a fully digital manufacturing ecosystem. This not only improves efficiency and traceability but also drives smarter decision-making throughout the supply chain.

As a Nigerian making significant strides in the U.S. aerospace industry, Taiwo exemplifies the power and potential of the African diaspora in global innovation. His leadership, grounded in technical excellence and market foresight, shows how diaspora entrepreneurs can drive world-changing solutions from any corner of the globe. His journey from an academic foundation at a U.S. university to building a frontier tech startup is a powerful testament to the role of education, curiosity, and vision in driving transformation

With operations scaling in Berkeley, California, Solideon is preparing for its next phase: wider deployment of its autonomous manufacturing systems. As geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains, Solideon’s model of localized, agile production could become the new norm.

For Taiwo, the mission is clear: redefine aerospace manufacturing for the 21st century and ensure that innovation is as fast, flexible, and bold as the missions it supports.