Indian electric motorcycle manufacturer Ultraviolette has secured $21 million in funding from TDK Corporation’s venture arm, marking a significant milestone in the company’s international expansion strategy. The all-equity investment will fuel the startup’s ambitious plans to quadruple its European presence and enter new markets across Latin America and Southeast Asia.
The Bengaluru-based company, founded by childhood friends Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan in 2016, has carved out a distinctive position in India’s electric two-wheeler market by focusing on performance rather than utility. Unlike competitors who target commercial and low-speed segments, Ultraviolette develops motorcycles designed to match the capabilities of 150cc to 800cc combustion engine sports bikes.
Performance-First Approach Sets Ultraviolette Apart
The company’s flagship F77 Mach 2 delivers over 186 miles of range with a top speed of 96 miles per hour, generating 30kW peak power and up to 100 newton-meters of torque. The commercial model emerged after four years of development and seven design iterations, explaining the “F77” designation.
Niraj Rajmohan, who serves as CTO, explained the company’s philosophy: “We asked ourselves, if we have to make electric exciting in two-wheelers, what would it take? And that’s the objective with which we started“
Beyond motorcycles, Ultraviolette has introduced the Shock Wave lightweight model and the Tesseract scooter, which incorporates front and rear radars plus cameras for assisted driving and blind spot detection. Pricing ranges from ₹145,000 ($1,650) for the scooter to between ₹175,000 ($2,000) and $10,000 for motorcycles.
Technology Integration and Manufacturing Scale
Ultraviolette’s vehicles feature eSIM connectivity and proprietary diagnostic systems that enable predictive maintenance. The technology can identify minor issues such as chain lubrication needs, with insights delivered through a consumer mobile application.
The company operates a comprehensive manufacturing facility in Electronics City, Bengaluru, with current capacity for 30,000 units annually. All components from embedded software and battery management systems to motor controllers and battery production are handled in-house by the company’s 500-person workforce.
Production expansion plans include scaling the existing facility to 60,000 units and adding a larger location capable of producing 300,000 units by early next year. This infrastructure will support the company’s retail expansion from 20 stores across Indian cities to approximately 100 locations by March.
Global Ambitions Drive Strategic Decisions
The founders drew inspiration from conversations with early Tesla Model S buyers in 2015, learning how electric vehicles could represent lifestyle statements rather than mere transportation. “These Tesla cars were very special, as owning them was seen as progressive. It was more of a lifestyle statement” Niraj Rajmohan noted.
This insight shaped Ultraviolette’s branding strategy, including the name selection where “violet” maintains similar pronunciation across 30+ European languages while “ultra” signals innovation. The company pursued European certification for all vehicles before market entry, distinguishing it from domestic-focused Indian manufacturers.
International expansion addresses market limitations within India, where EV adoption remains at 7.66% compared to the global average of 16.48%. The price-sensitive domestic market views two-wheelers as essential transportation rather than discretionary purchases, potentially limiting high-end variant sales.
Market Performance and Investment Backing
Ultraviolette has delivered over 3,000 motorcycles in India and projects sales reaching 10,000 units this year. The company targets $50 million in revenue by the current financial year’s end. European operations currently include 40 dealers across 10 countries, with major scaling planned for next year.
The latest funding round included participation from existing investors Zoho Corporation and Lingotto, bringing total raised capital to approximately $75 million. Previous investors include Qualcomm Ventures, Exor, and TVS Motor, demonstrating sustained confidence in the company’s technology and market approach.
Product portfolio expansion will introduce 14 models by early 2027, supporting entry into motorcycle-driven markets including the United States and Japan following initial pilots in Latin America and Southeast Asia next year.