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Pune Inc | ‘It feels like validation’: $750K pre-seed funding for a company started by 4 fresh-out-of-college engineers

Quintrans was founded in 2021, but the idea was conceived during conversations between four students, the current founders of the firm, during their college days at MIT-WPU Pune.

3 min readPuneDec 23, 2025 03:28 PM IST

Quintrans was founded in 2021, but it was really born much earlier in conversations (Express)

“For the past one-and-a-half years, we have been working on a prototype, trying to develop a product that we can get into the market. With the funding, we will be able to go faster,” says Pranay Luniya, one of the founders of a deep tech engineering startup, Quintrans.

The other founders are Kartik Kulkarni, Aniruddha Atigre, and Prasanna Kadambi.

Quintrans has raised a pre-seed funding round of $750K. The investment comes from Capital-A, an early-stage venture capital fund interested in manufacturing, deep tech, and climate, and organisations such as SanchiConnect — a platform that supports startups in navigating critical activities.

For a group run by four engineers who graduated less than five years ago, this is oxygen. “It feels like the validation of a dream. Till now, it was just our team of nine people working on a product that we were selling to customers. When someone as significant as Capital-A comes in with the investment, it increases your confidence. Your vision is given a boost,” says Luniya.

Following a dream

Quintrans was founded in 2021, but it was really born much earlier in conversations between the group who studied at Maharashtra Institute of Technology World Peace University (MIT-WPU), Pune. They had been a research team for building a Hyperloop by pushing the limits of magnetic propulsion. After graduating, Kulkarni, Atigre, and Kadambi, who were living in a rental hostel, would talk about the possibilities of creating a company to build “India’s most advanced and indigenously developed linear electromagnetic systems.”

Quintrans’ offering is a “Made-in-India, direct-drive linear motion systems for industrial automation, robotics, and equipment manufacturing”. “The rotary motors that you have in your vehicles, fans, and washing machines move in a circular motion. We are creating similar systems, but they are linear in nature, moving to and fro,” says Luniya.

He adds that linear motors convert electric energy directly into kinetic energy using the principles of electromagnetism without relying on mechanical conversion motors, thus minimising friction and the cost of electricity and retaining energy at a very high efficiency. “This improves the output or efficiency of industries and machinery, among others,” says Luniya.

Miles to Go

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The linear motor market is $75 billion dollars globally. In India, it is roughly $5 billion dollars and growing at a 10 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR).

“As industries are growing, manufacturing and automation are becoming one of the hottest topics. The linear motor market will also increase as this is a critical component in the manufacturing book,” says Luniya. Some of the money that has been raised will go to R&D, business development, and team expansion. The company is hiring and is expected to have a staff strength of 15 by January. ”We can target newer industries, newer verticals,” says Luniya.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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