Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | By launching a startup Nawgati in fuel technology, Vaibhav Kaushik has achieved his milestone through innovation. During his college days at BITS Pilani, when he was doing an internship in Greater Noida, he noticed the repeated frustration among drivers. Long queues at CNG and petrol pumps forced drivers, especially cab owners dependent on daily earnings, to waste precious time and money. This matter stayed in his mind and later became the foundation of a startup named Nawgati, which he co-founded with his friends Aalap Nair and Aryan Sisodia. What started as a simple idea to solve the crowding problem at petrol pumps gradually turned into a technology-driven enterprise, which is now impacting both consumers and petrol pump operators across India.
The team designed Nawgati as a dual-product ecosystem. On the consumer side, they created a mobile application that helps drivers locate nearby fuel stations and also displays real-time congestion and waiting times. On the operator side, they built Aaveg, a vertical SaaS product powered by edge devices and AI models, which monitors queues, tracks attendants, and analyses station throughput. This technology optimises fuel station operations by mixing computer vision, crowdsourced data and predictive analytics, and gives users reliable information on which outlets are faster and less crowded. By remaining fuel-agnostic and preparing for electric vehicle integration, Nawgati has positioned itself as a future-ready solution for India’s emerging mobility needs.
Wide publicity brought recognition
From the beginning, the business model was structured as B2B2C, so that value could flow in both directions. Stations subscribing to Aaveg receive operational visibility and compliance monitoring, fleets get data and analytics that reduce idle time, and consumers benefit from less waiting time and better choices. With pilot projects and paid deployments at CNG and petrol pumps in metropolitan cities, the company soon proved that this product works effectively on the ground. The app quickly crossed more than one million downloads, creating a large user base, which further validated the need for such a platform.
The decisive moment in Nawgati’s journey came when the founders appeared on Shark Tank India. Their pitch, based on saving time and money for millions of drivers and improving station efficiency, appealed to investors. They secured a deal of sixty-seven lakh rupees for three percent equity from Aman Gupta and Amit Jain. The wide publicity that followed this event brought recognition to Nawgati, increased user activity on the app, and initiated fresh conversations with partners and operators. For a new startup proving its credibility, this national platform itself proved to be an accelerator.
Big fuel providers also ready to adopt the technology
Before and after Shark Tank, Nawgati continuously prepared its financial and strategic foundation. Initial support came from incubators and angel investors, and a strategic partnership with MapmyIndia provided recognition along with investment at the early valuation. Deployments with regional gas companies like Indraprastha Gas and Mahanagar Gas expanded their reach and demonstrated that big fuel providers were ready to adopt their technology. In May 2025, the company announced its biggest milestone so far – a pre-Series A round of about 2.5 million dollars from major investors, which strengthened its plans to expand Aaveg to thousands of stations, deepen integration with fleets, and prepare for global expansion.
Made its place in the mobility ecosystem
Despite all its potential, Nawgati is facing challenges that reflect the complexity of scaling such a solution. Rolling out and maintaining edge devices at thousands of stations requires logistical rigour and reliable hardware. To maintain user trust, the accuracy of congestion predictions must remain high.
To convert free pilots into paid SaaS contracts, station owners must see clear financial benefits. As electric vehicles begin to change the dynamics of refuelling and charging, Nawgati will have to adapt its technology to longer dwell times and new booking patterns. Still, the founders have consistently indicated that preparation for electric vehicles is part of their roadmap. From a simple frustration observed at a petrol pump to an institutionally funded, real-world presence as a nationally recognised brand, Nawgati’s growth reflects the resilience of Indian startups moving from the ground up. By combining consumer convenience with operational efficiency, the company has made its place in the mobility ecosystem. The challenge now is of scale, but with investor confidence, strong partnerships, and a clear technological edge, Nawgati has already shown that a problem which started with queues can reshape the way millions of Indians refuel.
Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
