River

River is an electric vehicle manufacturer based in Bengaluru, India, focused on creating utility-first mobility solutions.

Founded in March 2021 by Aravind Mani and Vipin George, the company aims to address the practical needs of individuals and small businesses. Both founders bring significant automotive industry experience to the venture; Mani previously served as VP of Business Operations at Ultraviolette Automotive, while George was a design lead at the same company and also contributed to the design of the Honda Activa, one of India's top-selling scooters.

The company's debut product, the River Indie, was launched in 2023 and is marketed as the 'SUV of Scooters'. It is engineered for versatility and durability, featuring a high-capacity 4 kWh battery that provides an Indian Drive Cycle (IDC) range of 160 km and a top speed of 90 km/h. The Indie's key differentiator is its emphasis on utility, offering a total of 55 litres of storage—comprising a 43-litre under-seat compartment and a 12-litre glovebox. Its rugged build is complemented by 14-inch wheels, the largest in its scooter segment, and a mid-drive motor delivering 6.7 kW of peak power, designed to handle diverse urban and semi-urban terrains.

River operates on a direct-to-consumer model, selling its scooters through a growing network of retail stores across India. As of August 2026, the company operates over 75 stores and sells approximately 6,000 units per month. The company has secured significant financial backing, raising a total of $144 million. A recent Series C funding round in August 2026 brought in $120 million, co-led by Indian institutional investors Elev8 Venture Partners and Claypond Capital, with continued participation from global backers like Yamaha Motor Corporation, Al-Futtaim Group, and Mitsui & Co. This capital is allocated for building a second manufacturing facility, expanding its retail network to over 350 stores by 2028, and developing new vehicle models.

Keywords: River Indie, electric scooter, EV startup, Bengaluru, Aravind Mani, Vipin George, utility scooter, two-wheeler, large storage, EV manufacturing, Yamaha, Al-Futtaim Group, Elev8 Venture Partners, Claypond Capital, Indian mobility, SUV of scooters, long-range EV, electric vehicle, urban mobility, personal transport, multi-purpose vehicle, commercial EV, high-torque motor, 14-inch wheels, pannier mounts