Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain
Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain are Indian entrepreneurs and the co-founders of Ather Energy, a pioneering electric vehicle startup that is transforming India’s mobility sector. Their vision, rooted in sustainable innovation and advanced technology, has led Ather Energy to become a leading name in India’s electric two-wheeler space. [1]
| Tarun Mehta & Swapnil Jain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | Ather Energy (2013) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras |
| Occupation | Entrepreneurs, Engineers |
Early Life and Education
Both Mehta and Jain studied mechanical engineering at IIT Madras. Their collaboration began during college, where they explored battery technology and clean energy solutions. Their shared vision of creating high-performance electric vehicles took shape during their time at the IIT Madras Incubation Cell. [2]
Founding of Ather Energy
Ather Energy was founded in 2013 with support from IIT Madras and later backed by investors like Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal, and Hero MotoCorp. The duo aimed to create electric scooters that combined style, speed, and intelligence—shattering the stereotype of EVs as slow and inefficient.[3]
Key Products and Innovation
Ather launched its first commercial product, the Ather 450, in 2018, followed by the upgraded Ather 450X in 2020. These scooters featured:
- Warp mode for high-speed acceleration
- Smart dashboard with OTA (over-the-air) updates
- Fast-charging via Ather Grid
- Connected features like ride analytics and mobile integration [4]
Ather Grid and Infrastructure
To support EV adoption, the co-founders developed Ather Grid, one of India’s first fast-charging networks for electric two-wheelers. This solved a critical barrier in EV expansion by ensuring charging convenience.
Manufacturing and Expansion
Under Mehta’s leadership as CEO and Jain’s technical expertise as CTO, Ather:
- Opened a large-scale manufacturing plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu
- Expanded to cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and more
- Increased production to meet rising demand for EVs
- Focused on customer experience and after-sales service [5]
Challenges and Resilience
The Ather journey has not been without challenges:
- Building a hardware brand in India’s software-dominated startup space
- Convincing consumers about EV reliability
- Navigating a limited supply chain ecosystem
Despite this, Ather thrived through product excellence, continuous innovation, and strong branding. [6]
Awards and Recognition
- Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia
- Recognized by the Indian startup ecosystem for EV innovation
- Backed by Hero MotoCorp, one of India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturers
Future Vision
Mehta and Jain continue to work on:
- Expanding Ather’s EV portfolio
- Improving battery performance and range
- Scaling Ather Grid infrastructure pan-India
- Contributing to India’s clean energy and green mobility goals
Conclusion
Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain are among the most impactful new-age entrepreneurs in India. Through Ather Energy, they are redefining electric mobility with world-class design, technology, and a user-first approach. As India accelerates toward an electric future, their leadership ensures Ather remains at the forefront of innovation.
References
- ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ather_Energy
- ↑ https://startuptalky.com/ather-success-story/
- ↑ https://www.werisebyliftingothers.in/2024/08/biography-of-tarun-mehta-co-founder-ceo.html
- ↑ http://atherenergy.com/about
- ↑ https://www.indiatimes.com/worth/news/who-are-tarun-mehta-and-swapnil-jain-the-founders-of-newest-unicorn-ather-energy-639962.html
- ↑ https://en.phongnhaexplorer.com/qna/technology/who-is-the-owner-of-ather.html