Ultraviolette has raised $85 million in a Series E funding round, giving the Bengaluru-based electric vehicle startup fresh power to scale production and grow outside India. The round was led by deep-tech investors Yali Capital and TDK Ventures, with participation from Lip-Bu Tan and the company’s existing investors.

This funding is important because Ultraviolette is not trying to build just another city scooter. The company wants to make high-performance electric two-wheelers that can compete in India and global markets. Its aim is clear – build electric motorcycles with strong design, advanced technology, and serious riding performance.

What Ultraviolette does

Ultraviolette Automotive builds electric two-wheelers, with a strong focus on performance motorcycles. Its best-known product is the F77, an electric motorcycle designed for riders who want speed, range, and a sportier riding feel.

The company is also working on other products such as the X-47, Tesseract, and Shockwave. These products show that Ultraviolette wants to create a wider EV portfolio, not depend on one model alone.

For a simple example, many EV brands in India started by targeting daily city rides. Ultraviolette is aiming at riders who may otherwise consider petrol motorcycles in the premium or performance category. That makes its positioning slightly different from mass-market electric scooter brands.

Founders and startup background

Ultraviolette was founded in 2016 by Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan.

The company is based in Bengaluru and has built its identity around electric mobility, battery technology, vehicle design, and software-led performance.

Narayan Subramaniam is the CEO, while Niraj Rajmohan is the CTO. Together, they have positioned Ultraviolette as a technology-first EV company rather than only a two-wheeler manufacturer.

Funding purpose – Where will the money go

The fresh $85 million Series E funding will mainly be used for three things – scaling manufacturing, developing next-generation EV platforms, and expanding into international markets.

According to reports, Ultraviolette is preparing to enter the United States in 2027. The company is also looking at wider expansion across Latin America and South-East Asia. It already sells in India and has entered several European markets.

This matters because EV companies need heavy investment before they can grow meaningfully. Building a vehicle is only one part of the journey. A company also needs supply chains, battery systems, service support, testing, safety approvals, and strong distribution.

Why this round matters

Ultraviolette’s latest funding comes at a time when India’s EV market is becoming more competitive. In electric two-wheelers, buyers now look beyond price. They also care about range, charging time, build quality, software, safety, and after-sales service.

For Ultraviolette, global expansion can open a bigger opportunity. If it succeeds, it can become one of the few Indian EV brands known outside India for premium electric motorcycles.

The participation of TDK Ventures is also notable because TDK has deep experience in electronics and battery-related technologies. Lip-Bu Tan’s investment and advisory role also add technology industry weight to the company’s growth plans.

Competitors to watch

Ultraviolette competes in a market where several EV players are trying different strategies. In India, Ola Electric and Ather Energy are strong names in electric scooters. In electric motorcycles, brands such as Revolt, Oben Electric, Matter and Tork Motors are also relevant.

Globally, Ultraviolette may face competition from performance-focused electric motorcycle makers and established two-wheeler companies that are slowly building electric portfolios. Its challenge will be to prove that an Indian-made performance EV can match global expectations on quality, reliability, and service.

Conclusion with key takeaways

Ultraviolette’s $85 million Series E round is more than a funding update. It is a sign that investors see potential in India-built premium EV technology.

Key takeaways –

• Ultraviolette raised $85 million in Series E funding led by Yali Capital and TDK Ventures.
• The startup was founded in 2016 by Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan.
• The funds will support production, new EV platforms, and global expansion.
• The company is targeting the US market in 2027, along with other international markets.
• Ultraviolette’s focus is on performance electric two-wheelers, not only daily-use scooters.

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