CURVE Electric, a promising startup from Srinagar, focuses on premium battery-powered bikes for rent. Founded by childhood friends Zubair Ahmed Bhatt and Sheikh Yamin in 2023, the company has already saved an impressive 145 metric tons of carbon emissions. Their eco-friendly initiative is set to expand to more cities in the Himalayas and over 20 universities.

Click here to visit their official website : CURVE Electric

The idea for CURVE Electric came to life post-lockdown when travel demand surged, and air quality dropped. Sitting at a roadside tea stall with friends, the founders realised the need for sustainable travel solutions.

Their approach blends technology and simplicity: no apps, no deposits, and no upfront payments. Instead, users manually verify IDs at dock stations and receive an OTP to unlock bikes. With GPS tracking and geo-fencing, these bikes ensure safe usage within Srinagar.

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CURVE Electric’s backend operations integrate smart tech while keeping the user experience simple. Once the ID verification is complete, users can pick up a bike. GPS tracking keeps the company updated on every bike’s location, and geo-fencing prevents misuse. Interestingly, even stolen bikes were recovered seamlessly using GPS technology.

The startup operates 11 docking stations in Srinagar and four in Ganderbal, ensuring availability within 5 km in key locations. A dedicated charging warehouse enhances battery longevity, allowing controlled charging to maximize battery life.

• Fleet Size: 150 bikes.
• Rides Completed: 55,000.
• Revenue Milestones: From ₹4.5 lakhs in 2023 to ₹29 lakhs by October 2025.

Despite its modest scale, CURVE Electric’s strategic placement of docking stations and reliable bike design make it a standout in sustainable travel solutions.

The founders didn’t just launch a bike—they engineered a solution tailored for hilly terrains. Bikes not designed for such conditions risk motor burnout, but CURVE Electric’s models are built to endure. Each bike costs ₹30,000, with a payback period projected to shrink from 4 years to 2.5 years as technology improves.

• Battery Life: Five years with approximately 1,500 charges.
• Rental Cost: ₹1.5 per minute—a budget-friendly option for locals and tourists alike.

Ownership of CURVE Electric reflects the founders’ majority stakes:

• Yamin (Co-founder): 57%
• Zubair (Co-founder): 33%
• Incubators: 4%
• VCs and Angel Investors: 6%

• October 2024: Raised ₹50 lakhs at a valuation of ₹8.5 crore.

This capital helped scale their fleet and improve operational efficiencies.

CURVE Electric’s founders entered Shark Tank India seeking ₹50 lakhs for 5% equity, valuing the company at ₹10 crore. While the eco-friendly mission impressed the judges, concerns about scalability and the relatively small market led them to pass on the deal.

• High dependency on the Srinagar market.
• Challenges in replicating the model in other cities.
• Perceived risks associated with scaling a capital-intensive business.

Although no deal was made, the exposure from the show brought CURVE Electric into the spotlight.

While the Shark Tank judges saw risks, CURVE Electric’s journey highlights the potential of localized, eco-friendly solutions.

As the company moves forward, it carries the hopes of a cleaner, greener future for travel in hilly terrains. Whether or not it secures big funding, CURVE Electric’s commitment to sustainability continues to make an impact—one ride at a time.