TDK invests $21M in Ultraviolette to expand India’s electric motorcycles globally
▼ Summary
– Ultraviolette, an Indian electric motorcycle startup, secured $21 million in funding led by TDK Corporation, accelerating its expansion into 10 European countries and targeting Latin America and Southeast Asia.
– The company plans to quadruple its European presence, launch 14 models by 2027, and scale production to 300,000 units by next year.
– Founded by childhood friends Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan, Ultraviolette focuses on high-performance electric motorcycles rivaling 150cc-800cc combustion engine bikes.
– Ultraviolette’s vehicles feature advanced tech like eSIM connectivity, predictive maintenance, and assisted-driving capabilities, with prices ranging from $1,650 to $10,000.
– The startup aims for global appeal, leveraging Tesla-inspired branding and prioritizing markets beyond India, where EV adoption remains low (7.66%) compared to the global average (16.48%).
Indian electric motorcycle startup Ultraviolette has secured a $21 million investment from Japanese electronics leader TDK Corporation, accelerating its global expansion plans. The fresh capital injection comes just months after the Bengaluru-based company entered 10 European markets, signaling its ambition to become a major player in the premium electric two-wheeler segment worldwide.
Founded in 2016 by childhood friends Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan, Ultraviolette has carved a niche by developing high-performance electric motorcycles that rival traditional 150cc to 800cc petrol-powered bikes. Unlike many Indian EV startups that focus on budget-friendly commuter models, Ultraviolette set out to create cutting-edge machines that blend speed, style, and smart technology.
The company’s flagship F77 Mach 2 model delivers an impressive 186-mile range and a top speed of 96 mph, powered by a 30kW motor generating 100 newton-meters of torque. Beyond raw performance, Ultraviolette integrates advanced features like eSIM connectivity, predictive maintenance alerts, and assisted-driving capabilities, setting it apart in an increasingly crowded market.
With TDK’s backing, Ultraviolette plans to quadruple its European presence while exploring new markets in Latin America and Southeast Asia. The startup also aims to expand its product lineup to 14 models by early 2027, including the recently unveiled Shock Wave motorcycle and Tesseract scooter.
Manufacturing remains a key focus, with Ultraviolette operating a facility in Bengaluru capable of producing 30,000 units annually. The company intends to double this capacity soon and establish a larger plant to support its 300,000-unit production target by next year.
While India remains an important market, Ultraviolette’s global-first strategy reflects the challenges of scaling premium EVs in a price-sensitive region where most two-wheelers serve utilitarian needs. Less than 8% of India’s two-wheeler sales are electric, compared to the global average of over 16%, making international expansion a logical move.
The startup has already sold over 3,000 motorcycles domestically and projects 10,000 sales by year-end, with revenue expected to surpass $50 million. Existing investors, including Zoho Corporation and Lingotto, participated in the latest funding round, bringing Ultraviolette’s total raised capital to approximately $75 million.
With ambitious growth plans and a focus on high-performance electric mobility, Ultraviolette is positioning itself as a serious contender in the global EV race, proving that Indian startups can compete on innovation, not just affordability.
(Source: TechCrunch)
