In a powerful endorsement of India’s high-tech manufacturing ambitions, Bengaluru-based electric motorcycle pioneer Ultraviolette Automotive has secured a $45 million infusion as part of its ongoing Series E round. This strategic investment comes from two formidable partners: Indian software titan Zoho Corporation, led by Sridhar Vembu and his siblings, and the European investment firm Lingotto, which is linked to Exor Group—the holding company of iconic brands like Ferrari and Stellantis.
This round pushes Ultraviolette’s total funding past $96 million and values the startup at a robust $195 million, signaling strong investor belief in its vision to build a globally competitive, high-performance electric motorcycle brand from India.
The Ultraviolette Vision: Beyond Commuting, Into Passion
Founded in 2016 by Narayan Subramaniam (CEO) and Niraj Rajmohan (CTO), Ultraviolette set out with an audacious goal: to redefine the motorcycle for the electric age, not as a compromised alternative, but as a superior performance machine that stirs passion. Their flagship model, the F77, is a testament to this. With specs like a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 2.8 seconds and a 323 km range, it competes with, and often surpasses, high-performance petrol bikes on their own turf.
The Investor Synergy: Software Grit Meets Automotive Pedigree
The choice of investors in this round is as significant as the capital itself.
- Zoho Corporation: The investment from Zoho, a globally successful, bootstrapped Indian SaaS giant, is a powerful statement. It represents a “Made in India, for the World” ethos converging across software and hardware. Zoho’s understanding of building deep, proprietary technology and scaling globally aligns perfectly with Ultraviolette’s journey. Sridhar Vembu’s known penchant for supporting ambitious, long-term hardware projects adds immense strategic and moral credibility.
- Lingotto (Exor Group): The backing from an investment arm linked to Ferrari’s owners is a monumental validation from the very pinnacle of the automotive world. It signals that Ultraviolette’s engineering and design are being taken seriously by the guardians of some of the most legendary performance brands globally. This connection opens doors to world-class automotive expertise, design thinking, and potentially, global distribution networks.
The Roadmap: Scaling Production and Unleashing Next-Gen Platforms
The fresh $45 million will be the fuel for Ultraviolette’s most ambitious phase yet, focused on three key areas:
- Ramping Up Production: To meet burgeoning demand from 10 European countries and an expanding network of 100 Indian cities by mid-2026, scaling manufacturing capacity is paramount.
- Advancing Core Battery Technology: For an EV, the battery is the heart. Continued R&D into energy density, charging speed, and thermal management will be crucial to maintaining its technological edge.
- Developing Next-Generation Platforms: The capital will fund the development of new platforms, including:
- Shockwave: A lightweight electric bike, potentially targeting a new segment of urban agility and style.
- Tesseract: An electric scooter, indicating a move into the high-volume urban mobility segment without compromising on its performance DNA.
Riding the Electric Wave: A Perfectly Timed Expansion
Ultraviolette’s expansion comes at an inflection point for Indian electric mobility. With the government’s FAME III policy expected to provide further impetus and the overarching Atmanirbhar Bharat vision promoting domestic manufacturing, the sector is poised for a $200+ billion surge. The company is not just selling bikes; it is exporting a new image of Indian engineering—one that is innovative, premium, and performance-oriented.
As CEO Narayan Subramaniam stated, this funding “aligns perfectly with our mission to build category-defining EV solutions for India and beyond.”
Conclusion: The Charge for Global Leadership is On
The $45 million Series E round for Ultraviolette is more than a financial transaction. It is a fusion of Indian software grit and global automotive excellence, betting on a startup that dares to dream differently. It proves that in the electric future, the center of gravity for two-wheeled passion and innovation can shift to India.