Brands
Ampere Nexus becomes first EV to conquer Shipki La Pass, (13,200ft)
MUMBAI: Ampere Nexus, the electric 2-wheeler from the house of Greaves Electric Mobility, has made history by becoming the first-ever electric scooter to reach the Shipki La Pass at an altitude of 13,200 ft, riding to just 200 metres from the LOC. This Independence ride, undertaken to promote the Border Tourism Initiative of the Indian Army led by Tripeak Brigade under the aegis of Surya Command, also proves that India’s EV revolution can thrive from urban roads to the nation’s most remote and challenging terrains.
Flagged off from Chandigarh on 9 August 2025, the Shipki La Pass expedition was a three-day journey and a feat achieved by two Ampere Nexus scooters. Covering over 425 km of winding mountain roads, steep gradients, and diverse terrains – the journey covered Shimla, Reckong Peo and Pooh, passing through the Kinnaur Valley before the final climb to Shipki La Pass.
Since its launch in 2024 — marked by the Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari ride — the Ampere Nexus has been achieving records due to its endurance, performance, and adaptability. From traversing the length of the nation to now conquering one of its highest and most formidable passes, the Nexus continues to prove it is Engineered to Outperform, Outlast, and Outshine in every environment.
On arrival at the Shipki La Pass, the Ampere Nexus riders and the team were welcomed by Indian Army jawans, who then participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day. This served as a powerful moment that fused national pride, technological progress, and environmental commitment.
The achievement was also formally recognised with a certificate from the India Book of Records stating, “First Electric 2-Wheeler to Reach Shipki La Pass – The record for the First Electric 2-Wheeler to reach Shipki La Pass was set by Ampere Nexus, supporting the Indian Army’s border tourism initiative. The ride started from Chandigarh on August 9, 2025, and concluded on 12 August at Shipki La Pass (13,200 ft). This expedition showcased the endurance and performance of the EV scooter, highlighting its ease of charging, empowering it to drive to the very edge of our map, as confirmed on 12 August 2025”
Greaves Electric Mobility managing director Vikas Singh said, “From conquering Kashmir-to-Kanyakumari to now scaling one of the nation’s highest and most challenging passes, the Ampere Nexus has consistently proven what it was designed for — to Outperform, Outlast, and Outshine. This Shipki La achievement is far more than a record — it’s proof that India’s EV technology is ready to go the distance, from the heart of our cities to the very edge of our borders. Amplifying the Indian Army’s Border Tourism initiative makes this feat even more meaningful. As the country celebrates the 79th Independence Day, the Ampere Nexus aims to stand as a symbol of innovation, resilience, and the unstoppable spirit of a new, electrified India.”
This feat is part of Greaves Electric Mobility’s larger purpose- to democratise smart, sustainable mobility in the country. The journey demonstrates that electric mobility is no longer confined to cities; with the Ampere Nexus’s reliable performance, adaptable design, and ease of charging, it can reach even India’s farthest frontiers, making clean mobility accessible to all.
Expedition film will be released on 15 August on Ampere social handles: Youtube and Instagram
Brands
Pre-seed funding fuels nailinit, India’s new-age nail care brand
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund backs Gen Z-focused beauty startup
MUMBAI: nailinit, a community-first nail care startup targeting Gen Z and millennials, has raised Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund and Marsshot VC, alongside a clutch of consumer, technology and operator angels.
Backed by entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath, Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund is betting on nailinit’s attempt to give India’s nail care aisle a long overdue makeover. The fresh capital will be used to deepen distribution across quick commerce and D2C channels, build its community engine, and accelerate product innovation in a category that is high frequency but still light on strong brands.
Founded by Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal, nailinit is positioning itself at the crossroads of beauty, self-expression and culture. The brand wants nails to be more than a finishing touch. It sees them as a canvas for identity, content and commerce.
“At nailinit, we are building for a generation that sees beauty as self-expression, not just routine,” said Ambegaokar. “The nail category in India has largely been underserved by strong brands. This capital allows us to invest in product depth, community and distribution in a thoughtful and long-term way.”
Singhal added that while the brand’s tone may be playful, its operating focus is sharp. “This round strengthens our supply chain, expands our digital footprint and enables disciplined execution as we scale.”
The funding round drew notable angels including Shashank Kumar of Razorpay, Arjit Johri of Marsshot VC, Yash Jain, formerly of NimbusPost, Karan Jindal of Meta, Jivraj Singh Sachar of ISV Capital, Nishank Jain of Accel, Yashvardhan Kanoi, Ashwarya Garg of HYPD, Venus Dhuria of Phot.AI and Amishi Parasrampuria of The Whole Truth.
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund fund manager Gauri Kuchhal, believes the opportunity lies in shifting habits. “Nail care remains underpenetrated in India, with consumers relying on time-intensive salon visits. As convenience and self-expression gain ground, press-on nails can unlock more frequent and experimental usage. Nailinit is well-placed to expand beyond press-ons into adjacent categories.”
The brand is currently the only nail care player in India blending product-led retail with a dedicated kiosk at Jio World Drive in Bandra, where customers can walk in for services while discovering the range. It has also built early traction across quick commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit, with a launch on Instamart in the pipeline, and is available on Amazon, strengthening its omnichannel presence.
In a space long dominated by salon chairs and scattered labels, nailinit is attempting to file, shape and polish the category into something sharper. With fresh funding in hand, the startup is setting out to prove that in beauty, small details can make a bold statement.
