Mahendra Singh Dhoni ventures into the EV space, invests in EMotorad

Pune-based EV startup EMotorad recently partnered with cricket legend and former Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The startup said Dhoni's strategic investment will entail equity ownership in EMotorad alongside his new role as the brand endorser.

“The future is in our hands. We are in an era where innovation plays a huge role in shaping sustainable solutions, and I’m a fan of new-age companies that build these. EMotorad stands at the forefront of shaping the future of mobility, and I am thrilled to be a part of this journey!" MS Dhoni said.

What does EMotorad do?

Founded in 2020 by Rajib Gangopadhyay, Kunal Gupta, Aditya Oza, and Sumedh Battewar, EMotorad (EM) provides E-cycles for adventure seekers, daily commuters, and casual riders. The startup aims to fill the transportation gap and dent the global e-cycle market share. 

The startup, which currently owns over 60% of India's e-cycle market share, said that it is expanding globally,  investing in cutting-edge technology, and fostering strategic partnerships.

Leadership comments

Kunal Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of EMotorad said, "It requires a great degree of level-headedness with humility to be MS Dhoni. He is nothing short of India’s national icon who embodies leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and maintaining calmness under pressure - be it on pitch or off. He’s Thala for a reason! He perfectly embodies the core values of EMotorad: someone with passion, authenticity, and most importantly the love for bikes, cars, and now our e-cycles."

"We started EMotorad with a simple mission: to optimise the world of mobility and create fun moments for people and the planet - and who better than MS Dhoni to represent this," Gupta added.

Funding and investors

In November 2023, EMotorad raised Rs 164 crore in a Series B funding round led by Panthera Growth Partners. The capital was used to bolster its manufacturing capabilities, expand its global outreach, and enhance its R&D facility.

Beyond its digital footprint, The startup has a network of over 350 dealers across India and more than 10 EM experience centres. Besides India, It also has operations across eight countries.