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Mahendra Singh Dhoni invests in EMotorad
Mumbai: Pune-based EV startup EMotorad recently forged a significant partnership with cricket legend and former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. His strategic investment will entail equity ownership in EMotorad alongside his new role as the company’s brand endorser.
Expressing his enthusiasm for this collaboration, Dhoni said, “The future is in our hands. We are in an era where innovation plays a huge role in shaping sustainable solutions, and I’m a fan of new-age companies that build these. EMotorad stands at the forefront of shaping the future of mobility, and I am thrilled to be a part of this journey!”
Founded in 2020 by Rajib Gangopadhyay, Kunal Gupta, Aditya Oza, and Sumedh Battewar, EMotorad is committed to revolutionising personal mobility solutions. It aims to fill the transportation gap and dent the global e-cycle market share. They are expanding globally, investing in cutting-edge technology, fostering strategic partnerships, and delivering exceptional quality and value to consumers worldwide.
EMotorad co-founder and CEO Kunal Gupta said, “It requires a great degree of level-headedness with humility to be MS Dhoni. He is nothing short of India’s national icon who embodies leadership, teamwork, adaptability, and maintaining calmness under pressure – be it on pitch or off. He’s Thala for a reason! He perfectly embodies the core values of EMotorad: someone with passion, authenticity, and most importantly the love for bikes, cars, and now our e-cycles. We started EMotorad with a simple mission: to optimise the world of mobility and create fun moments for people and the planet – and who better than MS Dhoni to represent this.”
In November 2023, EMotorad secured Rs 164 crore in a Series B funding round led by Panthera Growth Partners. This capital was used to bolster its manufacturing capabilities, expand its global outreach, and enhance its R&D facility.
Beyond its digital footprint, EMotorad boasts a network of over 350 dealers across India and more than 10 EM experience centres. While its roots and base operations are firmly anchored in India, its operations extend across eight countries, showcasing its commitment to global expansion and accessibility.
Brands
IndiGo names William Walsh CEO
Former IATA chief to take charge in August after Elbers exit, Bhatia steers interim
India’s biggest airline has moved fast and gone global. InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, has tapped aviation heavyweight William Walsh as chief executive officer, subject to regulatory approvals, marking a sharp pivot as the carrier eyes its next burst of expansion.
Walsh, currently director general at the International Air Transport Association, will step down on July 31, 2026, and is expected to take charge by August 3. The appointment comes barely three weeks after Pieter Elbers exited the corner office, with Rahul Bhatia holding the fort in the interim.
The choice signals intent. Walsh brings decades of cockpit-to-boardroom experience, having led British Airways and later International Airlines Group, the parent of Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. His tenure across carriers has been defined by hard resets, restructurings and cross-border consolidation—skills IndiGo may need as competition intensifies and scale becomes decisive.
Vikram Singh Mehta, chairman and non-executive independent director of IndiGo, said Walsh’s experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him well-suited to lead IndiGo in an increasingly competitive global aviation environment, adding that the appointment marks a new chapter as the airline scales in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.
Rahul Bhatia said Walsh’s global perspective, operational expertise and customer-focused approach would be critical as IndiGo enters its next phase of expansion.
Walsh, widely regarded as one of the industry’s most influential figures, will oversee overall management and strategic direction, with a mandate spanning operational performance, network expansion, commercial strategy and customer experience. He is expected to work closely with the board and leadership team to sharpen IndiGo’s growth trajectory.
Walsh said IndiGo has a strong foundation and is well-positioned to capitalise on the evolving aviation landscape, adding that he looks forward to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation and sustainable value creation across the organisation.
A new captain, a bigger runway—and a market that rewards scale. IndiGo is lining up for its next take-off.
