Introduction

The automotive sector in India has always been at the forefront of adopting technological advancements and automation. In recent years, a wave of innovation has swept across the industry, driven by a new breed of startups. These companies are leveraging digital technologies to enhance the automotive experience, ranging from electric vehicle manufacturing to providing software solutions that simplify transportation needs.

In this article, we will delve into the top 10 innovative automotive startups in India, each contributing to the evolution of the automotive landscape. From electric three-wheelers to cutting-edge electric motorcycles, these startups are not only redefining the vehicles we drive but also transforming the way we think about mobility.

1. STROM Motors

Website: www.strommotors.com

Address: 207, Quantum Tower, Off S.V. Road, Ram Baug, Malad West, Mumbai City, Maharashtra 400064

Founded in: 2011

Founders: Prateek Gupta, Jean-Luc Abaziou, and Dr. Gilmer Blackenship

Funding: Undisclosed

Investors: Erhan Bilici, Anirudh Agarwal, Neeraj Garg, Sanjay Bhasin

Employee range: 11-50

About:

STROM Motors is making waves in the automotive industry with its unique approach to personal electric vehicles (EVs). The STROM-R3, their flagship model, is a three-wheeler designed for personal use. With a 4G-linked diagnostic engine, it keeps track of the charge, position, and status of vital components. The onboard device also monitors road conditions and driver behaviour, using machine learning for navigation based on the user’s driving patterns.

USP:

STROM Motors stands out by catering to the personal use segment with its electric three-wheeler, filling a gap in the market dominated by commercial usage.

2. Euler Motors

Website: https://www.eulermotors.com/

Address: Panchsheel Vihar, Pocket B, Sheikh Sarai Village, Sheikh Sarai, New Delhi, India

Founded in: 2018

Founders: Saurav Kumar

Funding: $91.8M

Investors: Athera Venture Partners, Blume Ventures, Ganesh Krishnan, Inventus Capital, Jetty Ventures, Kailash Trust, Moglix, Srinivas Anumolu, Sujeet Kumar, ADB Ventures, QRG Investments and Holdings

Employee range: 51-100

About:

Euler Motors is revolutionizing the commercial vehicle landscape with its electric auto-rickshaws. Additionally, they are working on four-wheeler versions inspired by Tesla. The electric three-wheeler boasts a range of 80 to 100 kilometres on a single charge, making it an attractive solution for last-mile connectivity, especially in the booming e-commerce sector.

USP:

Euler Motors’ electric vehicles offer a sustainable solution for the logistics industry, aligning with government policies promoting the use of electric vehicles.

3. Emflux Motors

Website: http://emfluxmotors.com

Address: 16, Bhuvanappa Layout, Tavarekere Main Rd, Tavarekere, Kaveri Layout, S.G. Palya, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Founded in: 2016

Founders: Ankit Khatry, Varun Mittal, and Vinay Raj

Funding: $538.8K

Investors: Meher Roy, Brian Fabian Crain, Rishabh Gupta, Samar Singla, Nikhil Arora, Nitish Singh

Employee range: 11-50

About:

Emflux Motors is on a mission to redefine the electric two-wheeler market. Their focus is on producing high-performance electric motorcycles to enable 10 million electric two-wheelers in India by 2027. With a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h, Emflux Motors is targeting the niche market of electric superbikes.

USP:

Emflux Motors stands out as the fastest superbike in the market, offering unparalleled performance with a top speed of 200 km/h.

5. Ather Energy

Website: https://www.atherenergy.com/

Address: 4, 1, Bannerghatta Main Rd, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Founded in: 2013

Founders: Swapnil Jain and Tarun Mehta

Funding: $341.7M

Investors: HeroMotoCorp Ltd, Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal, Tiger Global Management, InnoVen Capital, Caladium Investments, Herald Ventures

Employee range: 1001-5000

About:

Ather Energy is a key player in the premium electric two-wheeler segment. The Ather 450X boasts features like an LCD screen with Google Maps, music playback, and calls. With a top speed of 90 km/h and a range of 116 km on a single charge, Ather Energy is setting new standards in the electric scooter market.

USP:

Ather Energy’s focus on high-performance electric scooters and the Ather Grid charging solution sets it apart in the Indian electric scooter market.

6. OLA Electric

Website: https://www.mission-electric.in/

Address: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Founded in: 2017

Founders: Bhavish Aggarwal

Funding: $861.2M

Investors: Bank of Baroda, Hyundai Motors, Kia Motors, Matrix Partners India, Pawan Munjal Family Trust, SoftBank Group, Tata Sons, Tiger Global Management

Employee range: 1001-5000

About:

Ola, known for its ride-booking and car-rental services, has ventured into the electric scooter market through OLA Electric. The Ola S1 and S1 Pro offer a certified range of 240 km per charge, coupled with IoT sensors, GPS, and LTE connectivity.

USP:

Ola Electric’s scooters, equipped with advanced features and an impressive range, cater to the growing demand for sustainable and tech-driven personal mobility solutions.

7. Droom

Website: https://droom.in/

Address: 546-567, Udyog Vihar Phase V, Phase V, Udyog Vihar, Sector 19, Gurugram, Haryana, India

Founded in: 2014

Founders: Sandeep Aggarwal

Funding: $333M

Investors: Beenos Partners, Ellison Investments, SevenTrainVentures, 57 Stars, Joe Hirao, Toyota Tsusho, Digital Garage (TSE: 4819), Integrated Capital, BEENEXT, Digital Garage (TSE: 4819),

Employee range: 251-500

About:

Droom is an AI-driven used automobile marketplace, offering a comprehensive platform for buying and selling motorcycles, electric vehicles, and more. Their AI-assisted technology simplifies the process for both buyers and sellers, making it easier for first-time buyers to find the right vehicle.

USP:

Droom’s AI-driven platform provides personalized guidance to users, enhancing the experience of buying used vehicles and bringing transparency to the process.

8. GoMechanic

Website: https://gomechanic.in/

Address: 3rd Floor, Landmark Tower, Moti Vihar, Ashok Marg, South City I, Sector 41, Gurugram, India

Founded in: 2016

Founders: Amit Bhasin, Kushal Karwa, Nitin Rana, Rishabh Karwa

Funding: $54.8M

Investors: Brand Capital, Pawan Munjal, Orios Venture Partners, Alfa Ventures, Sequoia Capital India, Chiratae Ventures, Tiger Global Management

Employee range: 251-500

About:

GoMechanic is an app-based garage aggregator, that provides on-demand support for vehicle maintenance. From denting and painting to battery replacement and detailing, GoMechanic offers a range of services. Users can conveniently schedule services through the app, and even arrange for doorstep pickup.

USP:

GoMechanic’s platform makes car maintenance hassle-free, offering professional services and the convenience of on-site services.

9. CredR

Website: https://credr.com/

Address: 2nd floor, 212, 1st Main Rd, Domlur I Stage, 1st Stage, Domlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Founded in: 2014

Founders: Nikhil Jain, Nittin Mittal, Sasidhar Nandigam, Sumit Chhazed

Funding: $29.5M

Investors: Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley Omidyar Network, Stride Ventures, Eight Roads Ventures, On Mauritius, Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, Astarc Ventures, BlackSoil, AngelList India

Employee range: 251-500

About:

CredR is an online marketplace for buying and selling used motorcycles. Beyond the transaction, CredR provides additional services like road assistance, buyback services, inspection, verification, and scheduling test drives. Their platform simplifies the entire process for both buyers and sellers.

USP:

CredR’s unique offering lies in providing access to used vehicles delivered to the doorstep, coupled with pre-and post-sales services.

10. CarDekho

Website: https://www.cardekho.com/

Address: Girnar Software Pvt. Ltd., JTM, Model Town, Near Jagatpura Flyover, Jaipur, Rajasthan

Founded in: 2008

Founders: Amit Jain, Anurag Jain

Funding: $497.5M

Investors: CapitalG, Hillhouse Capital Group, Sequoia Capital India, Ping An Global Voyager, LeapFrog Investments, HDFC Bank, Sequoia Capital India, Harbor Spring Capital, Changer Club, Sunley House Capital Management, Franklin Templeton Investments, Canyon Partners

Employee range: 501-1000

About:

CarDekho is an app-based listing platform for new and used cars. It facilitates the buying and selling process by connecting buyers with sellers. The platform offers a range of services, including e-commerce features, 360-degree car views, and reviews, making it a comprehensive resource for users.

Conclusion

India’s automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by innovative startups that focus on electric vehicles and software solutions. With a rising demand for sustainable and technologically advanced mobility solutions, these startups are poised to shape the future of the automotive sector in India. Whether it’s redefining the electric scooter market, introducing high-performance electric motorcycles, or simplifying the process of buying and selling vehicles, these startups are paving the way for a new era in Indian mobility. As the industry continues to evolve, the collaboration between technology and automotive expertise will undoubtedly lead to groundbreaking developments, further establishing India as a hub for automotive innovation.