The COVID-19 pandemic was a global disruptor, upending industries and forcing businesses to rethink operations. Amid this turmoil, Mushin Innovation Labs emerged as a beacon of resilience in the automotive manufacturing sector. While many industries adapted to remote work, manufacturing's on-site dependency posed unique challenges. Mushin’s platform bridged this gap, offering seamless digital solutions for compliance and quality management, reshaping the sector in the process.

Before the pandemic, Mushin had only two clients, factories manufacturing for Hero Honda and Maruti Suzuki.  However, as COVID-19 accelerated the demand for digital tools, the company saw exponential growth, onboarding global automotive giants—all without spending a dime on marketing. “The pandemic created a shift in mindset”, explains, Rachit Srivastava. “Factories once skeptical of digital tools started reaching out for demos, and automation became an undeniable necessity.”

Founded in 2019 by Rachit Srivastava (CEO) and Amman Batra (COO), Mushin Innovation Labs emerged from the amalgamation of complementary skills and experiences. Rachit, who previously worked with Philips in IoT product design and connected solutions, initially envisioned Mushin as a platform for automating general manufacturing processes. However, proximity to Gurgaon and Manesar prompted a pivot to the automotive sector.

Srivastava’s technical expertise in IoT systems, coupled with Batra’s extensive background in the automotive industry, formed the foundation for Mushin’s unique approach. Amman, whose family has deep roots in the automotive business, identified a significant gap in compliance and quality management practices within the industry. Together, the co-founders combined their strengths to address this gap, crafting solutions that were both technically robust and tailored to the specific needs of automotive manufacturers.

Understanding the automotive sector

The automotive industry operates under one of the most stringent regulatory environments globally. Every component produced by Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers must undergo rigorous audits to ensure compliance with international safety standards. Unlike consumer electronics, where minor faults may be tolerable, automotive components directly impact human safety—stressing the criticality of robust quality management systems.

Mushin’s software addresses this complexity by automating processes that traditionally required significant time and manual intervention. The platform enables manufacturers to complete audits and compliance checks in minutes, ensuring adherence to stringent regulations while saving time and costs.

Srivastava highlights the importance of automation in the industry, stating, “If a washing machine door fails, it is an inconvenience. But if a car door fails, it is a matter of life and death. The automotive sector needs solutions that guarantee quality at every stage of production.”

“Recognising the need for digitisation to overcome challenges like managing extensive paper records, manual data entry errors, lengthy audits, and communication inefficiencies, we partnered with Mushin Innovation Labs. By implementing the Mushin AQUA platform, our operations underwent a significant transformation. The platform’s features, including unlimited cloud storage, AI-assisted data entry, real-time dashboards, and automated compliance tracking, streamlined our processes and enhanced efficiency. Within 13 months, we achieved milestones such as transitioning to 75% paperless operations, clearing multiple audits, and earning recognition for excellence in digitisation. Mushin AQUA’s 170 integrated digital modules, deployed across all major departments, have reduced costs, improved scalability, and positioned us as a forward-thinking, digital-first facility ready to meet stringent compliance standards and future growth opportunities”, states a client.

Like most startups, Mushin faced its share of challenges in the early stages. Development and market research were relatively smooth due to the co-founders’ expertise. However, they encountered psychological hurdles, transitioning from stable corporate careers to the uncertainties of entrepreneurship. “The discomfort of not getting a paycheck on the first of the month was real”, recalls Rachit.

Another significant challenge was convincing manufacturers to adopt advanced digital solutions before the pandemic. In 2019, many companies were hesitant to embrace such technologies, viewing them as unnecessary or overly complex. However, the COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for digital transformation.

Mushin’s unique selling proposition lies in its founders’ deep understanding of the automotive manufacturing ecosystem. Unlike typical software companies entering new industries, Mushin’s solutions are designed by professionals with hands-on experience in the sector.

Amman’s background in the automotive industry provided invaluable insights into the operational challenges faced by Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Rachit’s expertise in IoT and product development ensured that the solutions were technologically advanced yet practical for shop floor implementation.

“Automotive manufacturing is the pioneer of best practices in the industry”, he notes. “Concepts like lean manufacturing, just-in-time production, and Kaizen originated here. Designing software for such a complex and demanding environment requires not just technical expertise but also a deep understanding of the industry’s intricacies.”

This industry-first approach has earned Mushin the trust of its clients, who view the company as a partner rather than a vendor. “We are not just software developers”, Srivastava emphasises. “We are automotive professionals who understand their pain points and speak their language.”

Innovation is central to Mushin’s ethos. The company continually updates its platform to stay ahead of industry trends and customer expectations. Recent enhancements include optimising software architecture to reduce operational costs and integrating live updates to ensure compliance with evolving industry standards.

One of Mushin’s key differentiators is its focus on user experience. Unlike traditional software solutions that cater primarily to management, Mushin’s platform is designed for shop floor operators—the individuals directly involved in production. This operator-centric approach ensures high adoption rates and effective implementation.

“Our goal is to make the platform as user-friendly as possible”, says Rachit. “If the operators don’t accept it, the project will fail. That is why we prioritise their needs when designing our solutions.”

Mushin’s focus on innovation continues to drive its expansion. Having established a strong foothold in India’s major automotive hubs and with global brands, the company now aims to diversify into sectors like pharmaceuticals and FMCG, which also demand rigorous compliance standards. Mushin is also integrating Industry 4.0 technologies, such as real-time data analytics and machine integrations, to future-proof its offerings.

With a recent $250,000 seed funding round led by Inflection Point Ventures, Mushin is poised to accelerate its growth, refine its platform, and expand its global footprint. By reducing production costs by up to 85% and ensuring unmatched compliance, Mushin Innovation Labs has solidified its position as a transformative force in automotive manufacturing.