Bengaluru-based design start-up TIEA Connectors has raised INR 220 million in its latest round of funding led by Jamwant Ventures and Valour Capital, with participation from 8X Ventures and IvyCap.

The start-up founded by Ajith Sasidharan (CEO) and Punit Shridhar Joshi (CTO) has been incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). It focusses on developing, designing and manufacturing components for various sectors such as electric vehicles (EV), aerospace, consumer electronics and defence.

The company’s interconnect solutions act as an alternative to imported components, with an aim to be a leading supplier for industrial solutions.

“We are thrilled to partner with Jamwant Ventures, Valour Capital, 8X Ventures and IvyCap as we scale our operations, drive innovation and continue delivering world-class solutions to our customers," said Ajith Sasidharan.

Karan Goshar, Managing Partner, Valour Capital, added, “Our investment in TIEA aligns with our mission to support indigenous manufacturing and enhance India's industrial ecosystem. The company’s demand is far exceeding supply and this funding will enable them to scale operations, expand manufacturing capacity and advance their R&D initiatives.”

Cdr Navneet Kaushik, Managing partner, Jamwant Ventures, added, “TIEA bridges the gap for creating specifically developed electronic and electrical connectors, enabling Indian manufacturers to focus on creation of their own innovative equipment/designs, with their supply chains within India. The need for a domestic player in this sector has been felt by the Indian defence sector for a long time. Jamwant is focussed on providing strategic capital to Indian entrepreneurs in defence and aerospace sectors.”

The start-up states it is already manufacturing capacity utilisation is already around 90 percent, with the new funding to be deployed towards expanding production capacity to meet the need of EVs, drones, aerospace and defence segments.

Bengaluru-headquartered design and technology services company Tata Elxsi has been selected by Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) for supporting Vehicle Software Engineering and Software Defined Vehicles (SDV) development.

The German luxury brand has been integrating software architecture to enhance vehicle capabilities, create intuitive interfaces and optimise performance, elevating the user experience and evolving the vehicle with changing driver needs.

On the other hand, Tata Elxsi has been working with leading OEMs globally for their SDV platforms, accelerating the speed of innovation and software scalability across vehicle models and platforms, at lowered costs and shared accountability.

Together, the partners will strengthen their knowledge around autonomous, electric, connected vehicle technologies, AI and software-defined vehicles (SDV), supported by state-of-the-art labs and Mobility Innovation Centres and a portfolio of solutions including the AVENIR SDV suite and AUTONOMAI ADAS suite.

Manoj Raghavan, MD and CEO, Tata Elxsi, said, “This collaboration underscores our deep domain expertise and capabilities in automotive software and digital, including software defined vehicles, and provides us with a unique opportunity to contribute to the Mercedes-Benz vision of building the world's most desirable cars. We have been partnering with MBRDI for over a decade now, and this collaboration marks a milestone moment and sets the stage for further scaling and deepening our relationship.”

General Motors and LG Energy Solution are set to commercialise lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery cells, which will make its debut in future GM electric trucks and full-size SUVs.

Building on the earlier partnership to develop prismatic battery cell technology and related chemistries, GM is set to become the first automaker to deploy LMR batteries in EVs.

As part of the understanding, Ultium Cells, a GM and LG Energy Solution joint venture, will commence commercial production of LMR prismatic cells in the United States by 2028, with pre-production expected to begin at an LG Energy Solution facility by late 2027. The final production design of these LMR battery cells will be validated at GM’s Battery Cell Development Center in Warren, MI, which is expected to open earlier that year, as well as LG Energy Solution’s facility.

Unlike traditional battery chemistries, where cathodes is made of materials like cobalt, nickel and manganese, with cobalt being the most expensive. LMR battery cells use a higher proportion of more affordable manganese, while also delivering greater capacity and energy density.

The partners claim that the new LMR prismatic battery cell provides 33 percent higher energy density compared to the best-performing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) based cells – at a comparable cost.

At present, GM stated its e-truck platform has segment-leading range using high-nickel chemistry. Going forward, by integrating LMR battery technology and the manufacturing and space efficiency benefits of prismatic cells, GM aims to offer more than 400 miles (643km) of range in an e-truck while achieving significant battery pack cost savings compared to today’s high-nickel pack.

Kurt Kelly, VP of Battery, Propulsion and Sustainability, GM, said, “We’re pioneering manganese-rich battery technology to unlock premium range and performance at an affordable cost, especially in electric trucks. As we look to engineer the ideal battery for each vehicle in our diverse EV portfolio, LMR will complement our high-nickel and iron-phosphate solutions to expand customer choice in the truck and full-size SUV markets, advance American battery innovation, and create jobs well into the future.”

Wonjoon Suh, Executive VP and Head of the Advanced Automotive Battery Division at LG Energy Solution, added, “We’re excited to introduce the first-ever LMR prismatic cells for EVs, the culmination of our decades-long research and investment in the technology. GM’s future trucks powered by this new chemistry are a strong example of our shared commitment to offering diverse EV options to consumers.”

German automotive major Volkswagen Group has announced the appointment of Dr Werner Tietz as the Head of Group Research and Development from 1 July 2025.

He will succeed Dr Michael Steiner, who will take on the additional position of deputy chairman of the executive board of Porsche, in addition to his current role as member of the executive board for research and development at Porsche.

In addition, Dr Tietz will continue to be a Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at SEAT S.A. Both members of the Executive Board will hold these positions in a dual capacity.

Dr Oliver Blume, CEO, Volkswagen Group, said, “With his vision, technical expertise and more than three decades of experience within the Volkswagen Group, Werner Tietz has played a key role in shaping the innovative strength of brands such as Audi, Porsche, Bentley and SEAT/CUPRA. His work stands for forward-looking development, from sustainable materials to electrification strategy. With this extensive expertise, he will continue to drive forward research and development at the Volkswagen Group.”

“With his deep technological understanding and strategic foresight, Michael Steiner has made a significant contribution to positioning the Volkswagen Group as a future-oriented mobility group. This includes the development of high-performance electrical and electronic architectures, the focus on software-defined vehicles, and the opening up to global technology partnerships. His work has been important for key decisions in the areas of automotive software, batteries, and autonomous driving. I would like to personally thank him for his commitment to the Volkswagen Group. He will also bring this commitment to his expanded role at Porsche as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board,” continued Dr Blume.

Dr Tietz holds a doctorate in engineering from RWTH Aachen University and has over three decades of experience in the Volkswagen Group, where he has been working since 1994.

He has held several positions at Audi and was responsible for all Audi vehicle interiors. In 2011, he moved to Porsche, where he was responsible for the development of body and interior of all models. Furthermore, he participated in the development of the Taycan concept and worked on the introduction of innovative materials in several of the models.

Prior to joining SEAT, Dr Tietz was member of the Bentley Executive Committee and head of the development department, where he was in charge of creating the new development strategy and laying the foundations for the electrification of the brand.

On the other hand, Dr Steiner holds a doctorate in engineering from the Technical University of Munich and began his career at Mercedes-Benz in product development. After holding several management positions, he transferred to Porsche in 2002, where he was responsible for the Panamera series and overall vehicle development. He has been Member of the Executive Board for Research and Development at Porsche since 2016. In addition, he took on the dual role of Head of Group Research and Development at the Volkswagen Group in 2022, making him a member of the extended Group Executive Board. 

L-R: Gwanggu Lee, MD, Kia India with Prof. K N Satyanarayana, Director, IIT-Tirupati.

Kia India, a leading mass premium carmaker of the country, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology, Tirupati (IIT-Tirupati), with an aim to accelerate engineering excellence, promote research-led innovation and nurturing future-ready automotive and industrial talent.

As part of the understanding, Kia India will invest INR 350 million over a five-year period (2025–2029) to support academic infrastructure, collaborative research programs and student development initiatives at IIT-Tirupati. The company will also support establishing the institution as a prominent centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing, electric mobility and sustainable automotive technologies.

As part of the agreement, an internship programme with Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) will be introduced for students, strengthening the bridge between academic learning and industry practice. The partnership also includes scholarships and financial assistance for deserving M.Tech students, awarded based on both academic merit and financial need, ensuring wider access to advanced education.

A key feature of the collaboration is the establishment of a ‘Makers Laboratory’ on campus — a state-of-the-art innovation hub where students will be able to design and build prototypes across disciplines. This facility is expected to drive hands-on research and reinforce IIT-Tirupati’s position as a centre for applied technological advancement.

Gwanggu Lee, MD and CEO, Kia India, said, "This partnership is not merely the signing of an MoU — it is the coming together of shared values and a unified vision for the future of mobility and engineering in India. At Kia, we firmly believe in the transformative power of education, research and collaborative innovation. By joining forces with IIT-Tirupati, we aim to nurture highly skilled engineers and technologists, equipped to lead advancements in sustainable mobility and industrial manufacturing. Together, we are building more than infrastructure — we are building opportunities, capabilities and a foundation for meaningful societal impact.”

Going forward, the partnership will also explore international academic partnerships between IIT-Tirupati and reputed Korean universities, facilitating student and faculty exchange programs and joint research initiatives in emerging technologies.

Prof. K N Satyanarayana, Director, IIT-Tirupati, said, "We are delighted to partner with Kia India in this forward-looking collaboration, which resonates deeply with our commitment to research excellence and nation-building. This initiative will provide our students with exposure to global industry practices, global learning opportunities, and advanced infrastructure. Beyond academic benefits, this partnership signifies our joint resolve to contribute to India’s aspirations in sustainable industrial development and technological leadership. We look forward to creating impactful innovations and empowering our students to shape the future of mobility.”