Ultraviolette Raises $85 Million, Adds Intel CEO as Adviser

India’s electric motorcycle manufacturer Ultraviolette Automotive has raised $85 million in a funding round and appointed Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan as an adviser, as the company prepares to expand internationally, increase production and broaden its electric vehicle (EV) lineup.

Announced on September 23, 2026, the funding brings together Tan and deep-tech investors, including TDK Ventures and Yali Capital, where Tan also serves as an adviser. The company plans to use the investment to scale manufacturing, introduce upcoming models and develop its next generation of electric vehicle platforms.

Ultraviolette Secures $85 Million in Funding

Ultraviolette said the $85 million funding round will support its plans to expand manufacturing capacity and strengthen its product portfolio. The investment comes as the TVS Motor-backed company looks to grow beyond its existing presence in India and Europe.

The funding includes participation from Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, deep-tech venture capital firm Yali Capital and TDK Ventures, along with other investors. Tan’s appointment as an adviser adds an experienced Technology-industry leader to the company’s advisory group.

The company’s plans reflect the growing importance of manufacturing scale, product development and international market access for electric two-wheeler businesses.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan Joins as an Adviser

Lip-Bu Tan, the chief executive officer of Intel, has joined Ultraviolette as an adviser and participated in its latest funding round. His involvement connects the Indian electric motorcycle startup with a leader from the global semiconductor and technology industry.

Tan also serves as an adviser to Yali Capital, one of the investors participating in the funding. His role at Ultraviolette is advisory; the company’s announcement does not indicate that he is joining its executive management team.

For an electric vehicle manufacturer developing new platforms and expanding production, technology expertise and strategic guidance can be relevant to long-term product and business development. However, the specific responsibilities Tan will undertake as an adviser have not been detailed in the announcement.

US Entry Planned for 2027

Ultraviolette is targeting entry into the United States in 2027, according to the company’s plans reported by Reuters. The move would represent an expansion beyond its existing markets in India and Europe.

The company is also targeting growth across key markets in Latin America and Southeast Asia. These plans indicate that international expansion is a central part of its next phase of development.

Entering additional countries can involve adapting products to local regulations, establishing distribution and service networks, and building awareness among potential customers. Ultraviolette has not provided detailed timelines or market-by-market launch plans in the information reported.

Funding to Support Production and New Electric Models

Ultraviolette plans to direct the newly raised capital toward scaling production of its current products, launching upcoming models and developing its next generation of EV platforms.

The company specifically identified the Tesseract and Shockwave as upcoming models that it intends to launch. The funding is expected to support the manufacturing and product-development work associated with its broader expansion plans.

Scaling Existing Products

Increasing production of current models is one of the stated priorities for the funding. As registrations rise, the company will need manufacturing capacity that can support demand while maintaining its product and operational requirements.

The announcement does not specify a production target, the number of vehicles expected to be manufactured or a timetable for reaching a particular capacity level.

Launching the Tesseract and Shockwave

The Tesseract and Shockwave are among the upcoming models Ultraviolette plans to bring to market using the new investment. Their launches form part of the company’s effort to expand its product range.

Detailed specifications, pricing and availability schedules for these models were not included in the reported funding announcement. Buyers and industry observers will need further company updates for information about their market launches.

Developing Next-Generation EV Platforms

Ultraviolette also plans to develop its next generation of electric vehicle platforms. Platform development can provide a foundation for future products, although the company has not disclosed the technical details or expected launch dates of these platforms in the announcement.

The investment therefore supports both near-term priorities, such as scaling existing models, and longer-term work on future electric vehicle technology.

Ultraviolette’s Proposed New Manufacturing Plant

Reuters earlier reported that Ultraviolette was looking to invest 7.79 billion rupees, equivalent to approximately $81.37 million at the exchange rate cited in the report, in a new manufacturing plant.

The proposed facility is intended to expand the company’s manufacturing capacity and support its entry into the mass-market segment. The reported plant investment is separate from the announcement of the $85 million funding round; the available information does not establish that the two amounts are identical or that the funding will cover the entire plant project.

Expanding manufacturing capacity could be important as Ultraviolette develops additional models and pursues overseas markets. The company has not provided further details in the cited announcement about the plant’s construction schedule, location or planned annual output.

Ultraviolette Registrations Nearly Triple Year to Date

According to data from India’s national vehicle registry cited by Reuters, Ultraviolette’s vehicle registrations have nearly tripled year to date compared with the same period of the previous year.

The increase comes amid broader adoption of Electric Vehicles in India. Reuters identified lower operating costs, fuel-price volatility and regulatory support as factors contributing to Indian consumers’ growing interest in EVs.

Registration growth provides an indication of the company’s expanding presence in the market. However, the reported comparison does not specify the absolute number of registrations, and it should not be interpreted as a measure of total electric two-wheeler market share.

Why India’s Electric Motorcycle Market Matters

India is an important market for electric two-wheelers because motorcycles and scooters are widely used for everyday transportation. Electric models can appeal to customers seeking alternatives to petrol-powered vehicles, particularly when operating expenses and fuel-price changes are important considerations.

Government policy and regulatory support can also influence the pace and structure of EV adoption. At the same time, manufacturers must address practical issues such as purchase prices, charging access, product reliability, servicing and the availability of replacement parts.

For companies such as Ultraviolette, growth depends not only on introducing new products but also on building the production and support systems needed to serve customers over time.

What the Funding Means for Ultraviolette’s Expansion

The $85 million funding round comes as Ultraviolette pursues several business priorities at once: increasing production, expanding its model lineup, developing future platforms and preparing for international entry.

These goals are connected. Additional manufacturing capacity can support more product launches, while a broader portfolio may help the company address different customer needs. International expansion, meanwhile, could create opportunities beyond its existing markets, but it also introduces new operational and regulatory requirements.

The appointment of Lip-Bu Tan as an adviser and his participation in the funding round add a prominent technology-industry figure to the company’s expansion story. The announcement does not, however, provide specific financial forecasts or quantify how much each initiative is expected to contribute to future revenue.

Key Facts About Ultraviolette’s $85 Million Funding

• Funding announced: $85 million.
• Adviser appointed: Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan.
• Investors named: Yali Capital, TDK Ventures and other investors.
• Existing markets: India and Europe.
• Planned US entry: 2027.
• Other expansion targets: Latin America and Southeast Asia.
• Upcoming models: Tesseract and Shockwave.
• Proposed plant investment previously reported: 7.79 billion rupees, or about $81.37 million.
• Registration trend: Nearly three times the year-earlier level year to date, according to national vehicle registry data cited by Reuters.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much funding has Ultraviolette raised?

Ultraviolette has raised $85 million in a funding round involving Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Yali Capital, TDK Ventures and other investors.

2. Who is Lip-Bu Tan, and what is his role at Ultraviolette?

Lip-Bu Tan is the CEO of Intel. He has joined Ultraviolette as an adviser and also participated in its $85 million funding round.

3. What will Ultraviolette do with the new funding?

The company plans to scale production of its current products, launch upcoming models including the Tesseract and Shockwave, and develop its next generation of EV platforms.

4. When does Ultraviolette plan to enter the US market?

Ultraviolette is targeting entry into the United States in 2027.

5. Which international markets is Ultraviolette targeting?

In addition to its presence in India and Europe, the company is targeting expansion across key markets in Latin America and Southeast Asia.

6. What are the Tesseract and Shockwave?

The Tesseract and Shockwave are upcoming Ultraviolette models that the company plans to launch as part of its product expansion.

7. How much is Ultraviolette reportedly considering investing in a new plant?

Reuters previously reported that the company was looking to invest 7.79 billion rupees, approximately $81.37 million, in a new plant to expand manufacturing capacity and support its mass-market plans.

8. How have Ultraviolette’s registrations changed?

Data from India’s national vehicle registry cited by Reuters shows that Ultraviolette registrations have nearly tripled year to date compared with the previous year.