TDK backs Ultraviolette with $21 million to launch India‑made electric bikes worldwide.

Ultraviolette’s Electric Motorcycle Dream Takes Europe by Storm

Just two months since the Indian startup Ultraviolette opened its doors in ten European nations, a fresh $21 million all‑equity injection from TDK Corporation’s corporate venture arm sets the wheels spinning again. It’s the fuel that’s turning those expansion plans into a full‑throttle sprint.

What’s the Game Plan?

  • Quadruple its European presence by 2027
  • Add Latin America and Southeast Asia to the roster
  • Expand its lineup to 14 models in the next three years
  • Ride the wave of the F77 Mach 2 and the new F77 SuperStreet launched in February 2024

Meet the Brainiacs

The company’s two childhood pals—CEO Narayan Subramaniam and CTO Niraj Rajmohan—blend mechanical engineering, automotive design, computer science, and electronics into one electrifying recipe.

They were inspired by Tesla, launching Ultraviolette in a market so saturated with low‑speed, commercial‑only electric two‑wheelers they could almost taste the frustration. The market was dominated by cheap Chinese imports, local startups, and now even legacy gearheads trying to jump in.

Why Not Just Be Another Player?

“If we’re going to make electric two‑wheelers exciting, we needed to ask ourselves what we’d have to do,” Rajmohan explained. “That question became our North Star.”

From Idea to Ignition
Timeline
  • 2016 – Founding day
  • 2019 – First model unveiled after four years of tinkering
  • F77 – The final version name, after seven major iterations
Model Specs
  • Range: Over 186 miles
  • Top speed: 96 mph
  • Power: 30 kW peak
  • Torque: Up to 100 Nm
Where to Go Next?

The team is now targeting Latin America and Southeast Asia, markets hungry for mid‑segment sports bikes that don’t cough on the exhaust. With the F77 Mach 2 and SuperStreet already stealing the spotlight, the next few years should feel like a steep ride—just buckle up.

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Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

Everything That’s Going Down in San Francisco on October 27‑29, 2025

Think you’ve seen the future of transportation? Think again. Thanks to Ultraviolette, the city is buzzing with electric thrill‑rides that you’ve only imagined in sci‑fi movies.

Let’s Talk About the New Toys

Shock Wave Motorcycle

Yep, it’s lightweight, it’s slick, and it’s probably the most jaw‑dropping ride on the cobblestones so far.

Tesseract Scooter

The Tesseract isn’t just a pretty face—front and rear radar plus cameras give it a “pilot in the pocket” vibe. That means blind‑spot detection and a little extra “help” whenever you feel a bit nervous.

Pricing (in a nutshell)
  • Tesseract Scooter – ₹145,000 (≈ $1,650)
  • Shock Wave Motorcycle – starting at ₹175,000 (≈ $2,000) and going up to a sweet $10,000 for the top‑end model

So hurry, grab your REGISTER NOW card, and get ready to ride the electric revolution—no more sputtering gas guzzlers. It’s the future, and it’s closer than you think!

Ultraviolette: The Ultra‑Violet Future of Two‑Wheel Tech

Picture this: a sleek, high‑speed scooter that not only rides smoothly but also keeps an eye on its own health. That’s the brain behind Ultraviolette’s electric motorcycles.

Tech That’s Smarter Than Your Coffee Machine

  • eSIM connectivity means your ride can talk to the cloud, stay updated, and never drop a connection.
  • Its predictive maintenance engine—think of it as a guardian angel—detects tiny hiccups like a chain that forgets to get a little lubrication.
  • A handy mobile app delivers all these insights straight to your fingertips, so you can stay on top of every detail while cruising.

Made in Bengaluru, Powered in Bengaluru

All the heavy lifting occurs at Ultraviolette’s own ship‑right‑in‑Bengaluru facility—the Electronics City hub. With a capacity to churn out 30,000 units per year, the company is fully integrated: software, battery management, motor control, all the way to battery assembly.

About 500 people keep the cogs turning—half in corporate and research, the rest in the groove of production.

From Tesla Fans to Global Ambition

The founders got a taste of the “electric lifestyle” by chatting with early Tesla Model S owners back in the U.S. those owners were the first to shout, “This is the future!” and the founders translated that sentiment into Ultraviolette’s DNA. The name itself is a nod to the proselytizing spirit: “Violet” is pronounced the same in over 30 European languages, and “Ultra” screams cutting‑edge.

European Standards? Check.

The company didn’t wait for the market to come to it—it pursued European certification for all its models before even launching. That’s a move most Indian two‑wheel makers don’t make; they tend to cater to local tastes instead.

India’s Big Opportunity – And a Separable Gap

  • India accounts for about 40% of the world’s motorcycle sales, but most of those are still gas‑powered.
  • Electric penetration is only 7.66%, far behind the global avg of 16.48%—a gap Ultraviolette wants to fill.
  • While the country aims for a 30% EV mark by 2030, progress is slow, so a forward‑looking team like Ultraviolette could lead the charge.

In short, Ultraviolette is merging cutting‑edge tech, compelling branding, and an ambitious focus on global standards—all while turbocharging India’s electric future. Buckle up; the ride is just getting started.

Electric Two‑Wheelers: India’s Money‑Smart Market Review

In a country where the average commuter is more inclined toward affordability than extravagance, two‑wheelers aren’t really a luxury item. They’re the lifeline that gets people from point A to point B without burning a hole in their wallet.

Why Premium Models Feels Like a Big Ask

When you’re pushing the high‑end electric scooter into Indian streets, you’re looking at a challenge that’s as stiff as a road full of potholes:

  • Most riders are price‑sensitive – they’re more likely to splurge on fuel cells or storage space than on a glossy e‑bike.
  • High‑tech features that scream “luxury” can land you in a sub‑market that’s less than enthusiastic.
  • First‑hand sales numbers are still shaky; it’s hard to decide if a feature is worth the extra ₹50,000.

Ultraviolette’s Game Plan: Keep It Universal

Rajmohan, from the behind‑the‑scenes squad at Ultraviolette, tells us the secret sauce: “We’re focused on products that resonate across different income brackets.” He stresses that the company isn’t chasing sheer textbook luxury. Instead, they’re targeting the middle ground, where the scooter feels essential without feeling out of reach.

That “Universal” Mission Looks Like This

Picture a scooter with:

  • Just the right range to handle a full day’s commute.
  • Smart features that are useful, not flashy.
  • A price point that sits comfortably between a basic bike and a high‑end luxury.

Practically speaking, it’s about meeting the everyday needs of Mumbai traffic, Kolkata connectors, and Delhi’s daily grind. If you’re riding in Bangalore, Indian say, the scooter’s meant to be a hassle‑free ride, not a status symbol.

Takeaway:

These ideas show that the path to electric success in India isn’t “more flashy” – it’s more thoughtful. A little cheaper, a bit smarter, and still absolutely practical.

What’s next?

Ultraviolette: Turning Bengaluru into a Moto‑Mega‑Hub

Good news for bike lovers: the Bangalore factory is gearing up to churn out up to 60,000 rides a year by early next year, and they’re already planning a second, bigger site to reach a playful 300,000 units. That’s a five‑fold jump in production—only the coolest kind of scaling.

From 20 to a Hundred Stores

  • 20 stores are in place across 20 Indian cities.
  • By March, the plan is to have about 100 stores online.
  • Later this year, 50 new shops—one per city—will open for the festive season. Imagine a bike for every celebration!

Going Global: Europe, Latin America & Beyond

Rajmohan, the mastermind behind the expansion, told TechCrunch that Europe is in full swing. “Next year is where the scale‑up happens in Europe,” he said, referring to 40 dealers already on the floor.

Next on the itinerary:

  • Latin America pilot launch.
  • Southeast Asia test drive.
  • Future goals: the US & Japan markets.

Numbers That Rev Your Engine

So far, Ultraviolette has shipped over 3,000 motorcycles in India and aims to boost sales to 10,000 units by the end of this year. The revenue target? A whopping by the close of the financial year. Talk about steering towards profitability!

Funding: The Fuel for Growth

Since inception, the start-up has raised around $75 million, drawing capital from major players like:

  • Qualcomm Ventures
  • Exor (formerly Exor Capital)
  • TVS Motor
  • ZXlana (Oops, should be “Zoho Corporation”) and Lingotto.

These investors are all part of the plan to keep the wheels turning—literally.

Get in the Loop

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