Abdul Basit
Srinagar 9 Jan: Srinagar, January 9: Srinagar’s very own Curve Electric recently captivated millions on Shark Tank India Season 4, bringing a slice of Kashmiri ingenuity to the national stage.
The startup, led by entrepreneurs Sheikh Yameen and Zubair Bhat, presented their innovative e-bike sharing solution, winning admiration from the judges and showcasing the transformative potential of sustainable urban mobility.
Founded with a mission to create eco-friendly commuting options, Curve Electric blends modern technology with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability. The company has already completed 55,000 rides, covering 720,000 kilometers, and has saved 145 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.
The young Kashmiri entrepreneurs pitched their sustainable e-bike service, Curve Electric, to the panel of “sharks”—Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, Aman Gupta, Peyush Bansal, and newcomer Kunal Bahl. Their tenacity and drive left the panel impressed.
During their pitch, Yameen and Zubair shared their vision of expanding operations beyond Kashmir to other mountain towns such as Shimla and Mussoorie. They also detailed plans to expand into college campuses across the country, targeting a potential market of 1,400 such institutions. Their service model stands out by requiring no app downloads or security deposits from customers, and they have even developed their own bikes.
Vineeta Singh, one of the judges, remarked, “There is a little complexity here. There is a lot of dependence on governments, and from what I’ve seen in all the other companies, the setting that you have to do with governments and local bodies becomes a make-or-break situation. Your expansion will not depend on your ambition; it will depend on where you get the local support.” Yameen acknowledged this challenge, noting that the company has not faced any losses yet and has already raised a round of investment valuing their company at Rs 8.5 crore.
Although none of the judges invested in the startup, Peyush Bansal bid the founders farewell with words of encouragement. Addressing Yameen, he said, “It’s like looking at a mirror; you are me. You are saying everything I would have said 10 years back. The detailed customer-focused obsession you have, I have not seen in Shark Tank in four years.”
Despite walking away without a deal, the entrepreneurs left the stage with positive wishes and invaluable exposure.
Speaking about the experience, Yameen said, “Shark Tank India gave us an incredible platform to share our dream of revolutionizing urban mobility. Coming from Srinagar, this journey represents not just Curve Electric but the untapped potential of Kashmiri youth. We’re excited for what lies ahead.”
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