TDK Ventures Backs Ultraviolette to Drive India’s Electric Motorcycle Revolution
India holds the title as the world’s largest two-wheeler market, accounting for almost 40% of global motorcycle sales. The push towards electrification in this segment isn’t just about keeping up with global trends – it’s a direct path to cutting carbon emissions and making urban mobility cleaner and more efficient. With the Indian electric two-wheeler market projected to exceed $50 billion within the next decade, the opportunity is vast and urgent.
Against this backdrop, Bangalore-based Ultraviolette has emerged as a frontrunner in the mid-premium electric motorcycle market, blending performance, technology, and design to appeal to a new generation of riders. The latest boost to their ambitions comes from TDK Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Japan’s TDK Corporation, which has invested in Ultraviolette as part of its recent funding round.
Why the Indian Two-Wheeler Market Matters
Two-wheelers dominate India’s roads, with over 20 million sold annually. Electrifying even a fraction of this market could have a transformative impact on emissions. While electric scooters have reached 18% market penetration in just four years, electric motorcycles lag behind at less than 0.1% – a gap that signals huge growth potential.
Ultraviolette aims to bridge this divide. Its proprietary software platform powers both motorcycles and scooters, providing a foundation for scaling electrification across the entire Indian two-wheeler market. Already, it’s the first Indian EV motorcycle company to sell in the EU, and the brand is eyeing further expansion into other developed markets.
Premium Performance Meets Aspirational Design
Ultraviolette is targeting India’s growing middle class, offering high-performance, aspirational electric bikes and scooters that can genuinely compete with their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. Its flagship models, the F77 MACH 2 and F77 SuperStreet, have earned industry recognition, while upcoming launches like the ‘Tesseract’ scooter and ‘Shockwave’ light motorcycle have attracted over 70,000 paid bookings – worth more than $120 million.
The company’s distribution network is expanding rapidly. With a presence in 20 Indian cities today and a target of 100 by year-end, Ultraviolette is scaling both its domestic and international footprint, having commenced sales in 10 EU countries earlier this year.
TDK Ventures’ Strategic Alignment
Nicolas Sauvage, President of TDK Ventures, explained the rationale behind the investment: “TDK Ventures believes in empowering visionary companies that are driving the next wave of sustainable innovation. Ultraviolette exemplifies this with their industry-leading engineering, vertical integration, and a bold vision to reimagine the future of motorcycling and mobility. We are excited to support their journey toward electrifying the world’s largest motorcycle markets.”
For TDK, this move fits neatly into its strategic focus on IoT, EV mobility, and renewables. It also opens the door to collaborations in advanced battery technology, power electronics, sensors, and rider-assistance systems. The venture capital arm’s Bangalore innovation hub, launched in late 2023, provides a local base to connect with India’s burgeoning deep-tech ecosystem.
Innovations Setting New Industry Standards
Ultraviolette has already introduced groundbreaking features to the electric motorcycle market, including:
- A patented 5-level battery safety system
- A proprietary vehicle operating system
- Vertically integrated production facilities capable of scaling to 100,000 units annually
Its premium models boast up to 30kW of peak power, a top speed of 155 km/h, and a real-world range of up to 300 km. The F99 Factory Racing Platform set a national record as the fastest Indian-made motorcycle, hitting 258 km/h.
Pricing spans from $2,000 to $10,000, making Ultraviolette accessible to a wide range of consumers, from entry-level urban commuters to high-performance enthusiasts.
Leadership with Aerospace and Automotive DNA
Founded in 2016 by Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan, Ultraviolette draws heavily on aerospace engineering principles, thanks to the founders’ backgrounds and their experience in sectors such as consumer electronics and automotive. Their leadership team boasts experience from industry giants like Tesla, Rivian, Apple, Samsung, and Honeywell.
CEO Narayan Subramaniam said: “We are thrilled to partner with TDK Ventures at this pivotal moment. Their deep expertise in energy solutions and electronics, along with our shared commitment to sustainable innovation, will play a critical role in helping Ultraviolette scale rapidly both in India and globally. We are also excited to be associated with the renowned ‘TDK Goodness,’ which gives us access to the expertise and knowledge of other segments of TDK Corporation.”
CTO Niraj Rajmohan added: “Through this partnership with TDK Ventures, Ultraviolette will continue to innovate in deep-tech to shape the future of mobility. Together, we will continue to push the boundaries in building safer, smarter and more efficient electric mobility eco-system.”
A Broader Global Vision
TDK Corporation’s investment philosophy is rooted in supporting innovations that can scale globally. Established in 1935, the Tokyo-headquartered firm has built its reputation on material science mastery, producing a wide range of components and systems for automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, and ICT markets. In fiscal 2025, TDK posted total sales of USD 14.4 billion and employed about 105,000 people worldwide.
TDK Ventures, launched in 2019, specifically targets underrepresented areas in venture capital such as robotics, next-gen transportation, and mixed reality, with a strong emphasis on materials science and energy technology. By providing not just capital but also technical expertise and global market access, it accelerates the growth of portfolio companies like Ultraviolette.
Building the Road Ahead
Ultraviolette’s backers include Lingotto (part of EXOR N.V., linked to iconic brands like Ferrari and Stellantis), Qualcomm Ventures, Zoho Corporation, TVS Motors, and Speciale Invest. This diverse investment network, coupled with TDK Ventures’ deep technical and market expertise, sets the stage for an aggressive expansion into both domestic and international markets.
With India’s urban centres struggling with congestion and pollution, electric two-wheelers present a compelling solution. If Ultraviolette can replicate the growth curve seen in electric scooters, it stands to become a global leader in electric mobility, influencing markets far beyond Asia.
Accelerating Towards a Cleaner Future
Ultraviolette’s partnership with TDK Ventures is more than just an infusion of capital – it’s a meeting of visions. Both companies see a future where mobility is cleaner, safer, and technologically advanced. By combining Ultraviolette’s design and engineering prowess with TDK’s expertise in materials science and electronics, they are paving the way for the next generation of two-wheeler transport.
