243
/
5
Min Read
On the occasion of National Startup Day, prominent entrepreneurs from India’s electric vehicle (EV) startup ecosystem came together to share insights from their entrepreneurial journeys and offer valuable advice to early-stage founders. They emphasized how trust, innovation, and collaboration are essential to strengthening Indias EV and energy ecosystem and driving sustainable growth.
Kunal Arya, Founder and Managing Director, Zelio E-Mobility Limited, shared that when Zelio was founded in 2021, the vision was clear—to build electric two-wheelers that are reliable, affordable, and practical for everyday use. In 2024, this vision expanded to electric three-wheelers to address last-mile mobility needs and support livelihoods.
He explained that the journey taught them an important lesson: technology alone is not enough. Understanding real customer problems, listening closely to riders and dealers, and scaling the business with patience and discipline are equally critical. Overcoming supply-chain challenges and building market confidence strengthened their processes and reinforced their commitment to long-term value creation.
From a small idea to a nationwide presence with over 350 dealerships and more than 200,000 riders, Zelio’s journey, he said, proves that true success is measured not just in numbers but in the trust people place in a brand. The company’s successful SME IPO further reflects investor confidence in its vision. According to Arya, the belief that continues to guide the company is simple: “The future is electric.”
Sameer Moidin, Founder and CEO, EVeium Smart Mobility, shared that EVeium was started in 2022 with the belief that electric vehicles could transform the way India travels—not only by reducing emissions, but by making daily commuting smarter, safer, and more enjoyable. From the outset, EVeium focused on designing intuitive, future-ready, and safe two-wheelers that remain practical and affordable for everyday commuters.
He noted that one of their earliest learnings was that real innovation comes from observing how people actually use mobility, understanding their routines, and building technology that solves genuine problems rather than simply adding features. Moidin also emphasized that building a clean mobility movement is as much about education, accessibility, and community as it is about engineering. Seeing EVeium scooters on Indian roads, an expanding dealer network, and growing customer acceptance reinforces the belief that thoughtful design, smart technology, and sustainability can create solutions people choose with pride every day.
Akshay Shekhar, Co-founder and CEO, Kazam, spoke about building India’s EV and energy ecosystem through collaboration and innovation. He said that 2025 reinforced the idea that infrastructure alone is only the first step. Real impact is created when the entire ecosystem—EV OEMs, charging infrastructure providers, battery players, and the power and utilities sector—works together to build systems that are reliable, scalable, and trustworthy. EV adoption accelerates when charging is predictable, intuitive, and seamless across vehicles, networks, and energy systems.
As the industry matures, Shekhar stressed that innovation cannot happen in silos. Progress will depend on deep collaboration across hardware, software, and energy stakeholders to ensure interoperability, resilience, and a smooth user experience. According to him, companies that succeed will be those that combine operational rigor with ecosystem thinking, turning infrastructure into a dependable, always-on service that delivers value at scale and makes the industry globally competitive.
Sharing advice for early-stage founders, Shekhar added that India’s startup ecosystem is at a pivotal moment. Founders today are not just building companies, but shaping new markets and helping India become globally competitive in emerging sectors. In such an environment, progress requires agility, grit, and the courage to pursue bold goals amid uncertainty. Enduring companies, he said, are built by executing at scale, learning quickly from real-world constraints, and continuously earning the trust of customers and partners. As startups grow, their impact extends beyond markets into the broader ecosystem, where founders can help shape policy by responsibly sharing on-ground insights with industry and government.
Why National Startup Day is Celebrated
Startup India was launched on January 16, 2016, by the Prime Minister as a transformative national initiative aimed at turning India into a nation of job creators rather than job seekers. The program focuses on fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurship, and enabling investment-led growth.
Over the past decade, Startup India has become a key pillar of India’s economic and innovation framework. It has strengthened institutional support, improved access to capital and mentorship, and created a conducive environment for startups across sectors and regions. Today, more than 200,000 startups have been officially recognized across the country, playing a crucial role in job creation, innovation-driven economic growth, and strengthening domestic value chains.
Conclusion:
The journeys shared by EV entrepreneurs on National Startup Day make it clear that India’s startup ecosystem is not just a story of rapid growth, but one built on patience, trust, collaboration, and deep on-ground understanding. Startups like Zelio, EVeium, and Kazam demonstrate that when innovation is aligned with real-world problem-solving, strong execution, and ecosystem-wide partnerships, it leads to sustainable and impactful businesses. Going forward, such thoughtful and responsible efforts will play a vital role in positioning India as a global hub for EV and energy innovation.
