Narayan Subramaniam (Ultraviolette): 10 Key Things You Must Know

Overview

Narayan Subramaniam is an Indian entrepreneur, automobile designer, and the CEO and co-founder of Ultraviolette Automotive, a pioneering company in high-performance electric motorcycles. Founded in 2016 alongside his childhood friend Niraj Rajmohan, Ultraviolette Automotive has revolutionized India's electric vehicle landscape with its focus on innovation, design excellence, and sustainability. Narayan's background in mechanical engineering combined with advanced transportation design education laid the groundwork for a visionary approach towards electric mobility. Under his leadership, the company has not only developed cutting-edge electric motorcycles such as the acclaimed F77 series but has also begun expanding globally, establishing India as a contender in the international electric two-wheeler arena. This article highlights key facts about Narayan Subramaniam and Ultraviolette that underline the impact and promise of this trailblazer in electric mobility.

1. Early Life and Educational Background

Narayan Subramaniam was born and raised in India, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from BMS College of Engineering, Bangalore. Driven by a deep passion for design and advanced engineering, he furthered his studies internationally with two master’s degrees in transportation and automobile design—one from the National Institute of Design in India, and another from the Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden. This diverse educational foundation equipped him with specialized skills in concept generation, 3D modeling, and prototyping, enabling him to fuse creativity with technical prowess in automobile design.

2. Ultraviolette Automotive: Foundation and Vision

In 2016, Narayan co-founded Ultraviolette Automotive with Niraj Rajmohan, blending their expertise in design, engineering, and technology. The company's mission was clear: disrupt the electric two-wheeler market in India by creating high-performance, design-driven electric motorcycles that rival traditional internal combustion engine vehicles in both aesthetics and functionality. Ultraviolette was born from the desire to craft sustainable mobility solutions embedded with progressive design principles and energy-efficient technologies, a pioneering endeavor in the Indian electric vehicle industry.

3. Narayan Subramaniam’s Role as CEO and Head of Design

Narayan serves as both CEO and Head of Design at Ultraviolette. He oversees the company’s strategic vision, focusing on innovation, product development, and operational excellence. His leadership style emphasizes seamless integration of advanced engineering and aesthetics, ensuring Ultraviolette’s products deliver superior performance and an exceptional ownership experience. Narayan is known for his relentless pursuit of design perfection and technical sophistication, traits that have helped position Ultraviolette as a leader in the high-performance electric vehicle space.

4. Ultraviolette F77: India’s Fastest Electric Motorcycle

A landmark achievement under Narayan’s leadership is the Ultraviolette F77, India’s first performance electric motorcycle. Featuring a 10.3 kWh battery pack, the F77 offers an Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) range exceeding 300 km and a top speed of 155 km/h. The motorcycle boasts cutting-edge features like dynamic regenerative braking, traction and stability controls, and advanced connectivity through the proprietary Violette AI system. Launched in India in 2022, the F77 rapidly gained acclaim for its performance and design, setting new benchmarks for electric two-wheelers in the country.

5. Global Expansion and European Market Entry

Ultraviolette, under Narayan, has broken new ground by entering international markets. The F77 MACH 2 and SuperStreet variants achieved European certifications, enabling the brand to launch in key countries including Germany, France, the UK, Italy, and several others. Narayan considers Europe’s mature motorcycle culture an important strategic market. To facilitate global reach, Ultraviolette partnered with established distributors like MotoMondo for the UK and Benelux regions. The company’s expansion reflects its ambition to establish India as a global player in performance electric motorcycles.

6. Partnerships and Investor Ecosystem

The company has attracted significant investments from reputable global entities and notable individuals, including Lingotto (a subsidiary of Exor, with ties to Ferrari and Stellantis), Qualcomm Ventures, Zoho Corporation, TVS Motor Company, and Speciale Invest. Actor Dulquer Salmaan, an automobile enthusiast, is also a high-profile investor. In August 2025, Ultraviolette secured a $21 million strategic investment led by Japan’s TDK Ventures, which aims to accelerate next-generation EV platform development, advanced battery innovation, and global market expansions. These partnerships provide Ultraviolette with resources and expertise essential for scaling manufacturing capabilities and advancing deep-tech innovation.

7. Design Philosophy and Innovation

Narayan is deeply inspired by aviation and aerospace design philosophies, which is evident in Ultraviolette's motorcycles that emphasize strength, stiffness, and aerodynamic efficiency. For example, the F77 MACH 2 features a bolt-less, rivet-less fascia, refined bodywork with research-backed air intakes for optimum powertrain performance, and meticulous attention to design details. With a multidisciplinary team from automotive, avionics, and consumer electronics backgrounds, Narayan fosters an environment of innovation that continuously pushes the boundaries of electric motorcycle engineering.

8. Expansion of Product Portfolio: Tesseract and Shockwave

Building upon the success of its performance motorcycles, Ultraviolette has broadened its lineup with products like the Tesseract, a maxi-scooter featuring segment-first integrated radar and dashcam for enhanced safety, and the Shockwave, a lightweight electric offroad motorcycle inspired by the thrill of classic 2-stroke bikes. Both models embody the company’s commitment to futuristic design and technology, with the Tesseract offering up to 261 km range and advanced connectivity, while Shockwave taps into the offroad and adventure segment, slated for launch in early 2026.

9. Commitment to Customer Experience and Infrastructure

Ultraviolette places strong emphasis on holistic customer engagement, extending beyond product sales to community building and ownership experience. The company operates UV Space Stations and UV Space Pods across India, which provide sales, service, and spare parts at dedicated locations. Additionally, Ultraviolette has established the UV Supernova fast charging network strategically located on highway routes to support intercity travel for users. Innovations such as the UVLYNC Type 2 interface further improve charging network accessibility across different two-wheeler brands in India.

10. Character and Inspiration of Narayan Subramaniam

Narayan’s journey is notable not only for technical achievements but also for his entrepreneurial spirit, persistence, and vision. Childhood fascination with aerospace technology evolved into a career marked by creative engineering and business leadership. He credits long-term dedication, resilience through setbacks, and an unwavering belief in innovation as critical to Ultraviolette’s success. Narayan also cherishes moments that underline the full-circle nature of his journey, such as launching Ultraviolette motorcycles in Paris—a city he visited as a wide-eyed child—symbolizing the realization of lifelong dreams.

Conclusion

Narayan Subramaniam embodies the spirit of innovation and visionary leadership in India's electric mobility revolution. His extensive technical expertise and design insight have propelled Ultraviolette Automotive from a startup to a global contender in high-performance electric motorcycles. Through a strong commitment to design excellence, advanced technology, and customer experience, Narayan’s Ultraviolette is not only pushing electric mobility forward but also reshaping perceptions of what Indian engineering can accomplish on the world stage. This inspiring narrative underscores the power of perseverance and passionate entrepreneurship in transforming industries and achieving ambitious dreams.