Bengaluru-based technology-driven start-up Autoverse Mobility has announced that auto industry veteran Rama Shankar Pandey has joined the company as Co-Founder.

Pandey, a former Managing Director of Hella India Lighting and a member of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA), will join the leadership team to focus on manufacturer relations and distribution infrastructure.

Concurrently, the company launched its Autoverse Parts Procurement Platform, an integrated digital tool designed to streamline the sourcing and delivery of genuine automotive parts to independent workshops across India.

Autoverse aims to transform the fragmented Indian multi-brand garage sector, which often lacks consistency in quality and part reliability. The platform seeks to establish a supply chain that connects original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original equipment suppliers (OES) directly to garages. By ensuring the availability of authentic parts, accurate fitment, and transparent delivery, Autoverse plans to increase trust and efficiency in the aftermarket service channel.

Pandey brings over two decades of leadership experience from the automotive, transportation, and manufacturing sectors, including key roles at Bosch, Tata Green Batteries and Hella.

Rama Shankar Pandey, said, “Autoverse is building something truly transformative; a transparent, tech-enabled supply chain that addresses one of the biggest challenges workshops face today: sourcing genuine parts reliably and quickly. With the launch of our integrated Partner App and Web Platform, we are creating a future-ready ecosystem that delivers authenticity, speed, and operational efficiency. I’m excited to join Mihir, Shiv, and KK in this mission to empower independent workshops across India.”

The new Autoverse Parts Procurement Platform is a digital system that connects workshops directly to manufacturers and their existing distribution channels to improve efficiency.

Key features of the platform include:

• Smart Parts Discovery: A catalogue with over 6 million car–part mappings for precise fitment checks.
• Real-Time Data: Instant visibility into stock levels, pricing and alternative part options.
• Integrated Ordering: One-click ordering with live tracking from supplier to garage.
• Support Modules: Dedicated support for categories including lubricants, filters, suspension, brake, clutch and electrical components.
• Garage Management Tools: Features such as loyalty programmes, order history and automated recommendations to improve workshop profitability.

Autoverse aims to deliver high-demand parts within 45 minutes through a hybrid logistics model, supported by a network of own and partner warehouses.

Mihir Mohan, Founder and CEO, Autoverse Mobility, said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Rama to our founding team and equally excited to introduce the Autoverse Partner Platform to the market. Rama’s leadership experience and domain depth will play a crucial role as we scale our operations nationwide. With our new platform, we are strengthening our promise of timely access to genuine, high-quality parts - enabling garages to deliver safer and more dependable service to car owners.”

Autoverse Mobility, founded by Mihir Mohan, Shiv Soni, and Krishnakumar (KK), has raised USD 3.2 million from investors including Exfinity Ventures and Ventureast to scale its technology and logistics network.

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THINK Gas, one of the leading players in city gas distribution business (CGD) has commenced the implementation of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board’s (PNGRB) National Drive 2.0.

The campaign, inaugurated by Dr Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson of PNGRB, aims to expand the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) station network across 10 states.

THINK Gas, the merged entity of AG&P Pratham and THINK Gas, is a leading player in India’s City Gas Distribution (CGD) business. It has 19 CGD licenses awarded by the Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to exclusively develop CGD infrastructure and provide natural gas across 49 Districts in the 10 states of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The initiative aligns with the ‘One Nation, One Grid, One Tariff’ framework, which seeks to standardise gas access.

Dr Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson, PNGRB, said, “National Drive 2.0 is a focused initiative of PNGRB to deepen the reach of City Gas Distribution networks and accelerate the adoption of PNG and CNG across the country. The Unified Tariff framework is enhancing affordability, transparency, and access, ensuring that regulatory reforms translate into direct consumer benefits. THINK Gas has exemplified this vision by investing over INR 5.1 billion in the Barmer–Jodhpur–Jaisalmer Geographical Area and adopting a unique LCNG-based hybrid supply model to ensure uninterrupted gas supply even in the absence of pipeline connectivity.”

Amitava Sengupta, Chairman, THINK Gas, said, “PNGRB’s National Drive 2.0 is a landmark initiative that will play a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of PNG and CNG across India. This drive comes close on the heels of the implementation of landmark tariff reforms by the PNGRB when Domestic PNG and CNG segments will benefit from a preferential tariff system.”

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The Institute Incubation and Innovation Council (I3C) at the Indian Institute of Technology Jammu (IIT Jammu) has formed a collaboration with Skill-Lync to provide certificate courses in mobility engineering.

The partnership is designed to address the transition within the automotive sector toward electric vehicles (EVs) and software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms.

Till date, Skill-Lync is said to have trained over 20,000 engineering professionals in the last three years across 80 organisations in domains including electronics, embedded systems, and advanced manufacturing. The curriculum combines the academic research approach of IIT Jammu with industry practices derived from these collaborations. The global automotive electronics market is projected to increase from USD 280 billion in 2024 to over USD 468 billion by 2030, driving demand for engineers skilled in systems engineering and power electronics.

“At I3C-IIT Jammu, we remain committed to advancing engineering excellence and contributing meaningfully to India’s technology ecosystem. Collaborating with Skill-Lync allows us to support well-structured initiatives aligned with the evolving needs of the mobility and automotive sector,” said a statement from I3C-IIT Jammu.

Krishna Bandaru, Co-Founder, Skill-Lync, said, “Our in-depth work with automotive organisations has given us strong validation of how engineering roles are evolving across EVs, software-defined platforms, and advanced manufacturing. Partnering with I3C-IIT Jammu to offer IIT Jammu Certificate Courses allows us to shape these learnings with greater academic structure, credibility, and long-term impact.”

The initiative aligns with the shift by manufacturers such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and JSW MG Motor India toward connected vehicle architectures. The programs cover battery technologies, over-the-air (OTA) architectures and data-enabled systems. Applications for the certificate programmes are open on the platforms of both organisations, with scholarship benefits available for eligible candidates.

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AIS Windshield Experts, a subsidiary of Asahi India Glass (AIS), has introduced a service model designed to manage the insurance claims process for motorists. As the company expands its network across India, it is transitioning into a concierge model to handle the administrative tasks associated with vehicle glass repair.

The brand has established tie-ups with major insurance providers in India to create a cashless ecosystem. Under this system, the company manages the lifecycle of the claim, including filing and document inspection. This removes the requirement for customers to fill out forms or pay for repairs upfront and wait for reimbursements.

In addition to administrative management, the company operates a fleet of mobile service vans. This allows company-trained technicians to perform glass replacement or repair at the customer’s home or office using original equipment manufacturer (OEM) grade materials.

Ratish Ramanujam, COO & Executive Director, AIS Windshield Experts, said: "Ours is a promise of accessibility. We know that for a car owner, the damage to the vehicle is only half the stress, the other half is the ordeal of getting it fixed and claim insurance. We have built a system where the customer’s only job is to give us a call. We handle the insurance companies, we handle the paperwork, and we handle the repair. Our goal is to save the customer's most precious resource: their time."

The expansion of these services across the country aims to standardise the car care experience by integrating repair services directly with the insurance sector.

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Tvarra, an Indian helmet brand for women, has announced that Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues has become an Investor Partner in the company.

The equity-led partnership is based on a long-term collaboration focused on the brand's vision of safety and independence for women.

Founded by Alpana Parida, Tvarra was established to address a gap in the safety ecosystem, where helmets were often versions of products designed for men. Tvarra helmets are claimed to be engineered for women’s head sizes, weight distribution and urban commuting requirements, including considerations for hair and earrings. The products carry ISI and DOT certifications, meeting both Indian and international safety standards.

Alpana Parida, Founder, Tvarra, said, “Every woman deserves the freedom to step out into the world with confidence. Whether it’s riding to college, heading to work, or pursuing something meaningful to her, safety should never be a barrier. Jemimah’s discipline, energy, and clarity of purpose reflect exactly how we think about building safety — thoughtfully, responsibly, and for the long term.”

As an investor partner, Rodrigues will participate in shaping the brand's vision and advocating for safety. Her role is defined as ownership rather than a standard endorsement.

Jemimah Rodrigues, Investor Partner, said, “Sport teaches you preparation, consistency, and belief. Everyday life teaches women the same things. Mobility builds confidence. Safety builds courage. Tvarra is building both—and that’s why this partnership feels personal to me.”

Tvarra helmets are available through online channels in over 600 cities. The company’s 2026 roadmap includes expansion into offline retail and the introduction of new categories, such as helmets for riders aged 5 to 16.

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