What does it take to launch a climate-first tech startup in one of India’s most challenging regions? In this episode of the Exitfund podcast, we sit down with Sheikh Yameen, co-founder of Curve Electric—a groundbreaking micro-mobility startup based in Kashmir that’s reshaping urban transport in mountain cities.
Fresh off his appearance on Shark Tank India Season 4, Sheikh shares the full story behind Curve Electric’s rise—from identifying air pollution and traffic congestion as urgent local problems to designing high-torque e-bikes built specifically for rugged Himalayan terrains. He dives into the unique challenges of building a tech-enabled startup in Srinagar, including working with limited infrastructure, overcoming government skepticism, and shifting user behavior in a car-dominated culture.
This conversation goes deep into how Curve Electric built its own bikes to meet real-world demands, ran a frictionless rental model requiring no app or deposit, and prioritized environmental impact from day one—saving over 145 metric tonnes of carbon emissions through 55,000+ rides.
We also explore how the startup navigated profit-first growth without relying on external funding, its bold plans to scale across India’s college campuses and mountain towns, and the real lessons Sheikh learned while turning a local solution into a nationally recognized brand.
If you’re passionate about sustainable mobility, grassroots innovation, and building resilient startups from the ground up—this episode is packed with ideas, insights, and inspiration you won't want to miss.
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