March 18th, 2025
Arunima Singh, Director of Three D Magic Group, is indeed a powerful woman in her own right and a trailblazer in the Indian automotive sector. Her success story serves as a beacon of motivation for women entrepreneurs and professionals aspiring to make a mark in this industry.
As of 2024, this bootstrapped company has achieved market leadership status, providing indispensable backend technology support for various product launches by renowned automotive companies in India. The state-of-the-art design studio in Chakan, Pune, has served 200+ projects related to designs, prototypes, and series productions for many Indian automobile companies, including many EV start-ups.
3D Magic Group’s transformation from a small 2-person office in 2011 to a thriving organization with 160+ employees, 45+ engineers, and 8-10 top leadership team members is a testament to Arunima’s exceptional leadership and perseverance.
Arunima is now taking the wheel to drive her new venture, DAWKI Mobility. This new chapter in her entrepreneurial journey promises to be thrilling! Dawki Mobility’s entry into the electric vehicle, i.e., L5 segment is a strategic move, targeting both passenger and loader segments simultaneously. This launch will likely create a buzz in the market with the addition of an EV 2-Ton Truck & Quadracycle.
Q: Your story is one of courage, determination, and breaking free from traditional expectations. You have inspired countless others, showing that women can thrive beyond traditional roles. How was your journey?
Yes, it takes immense courage to challenge traditional expectations, especially when it comes to societal norms around marriage and family. Choosing to pursue a career and become a businesswoman requires determination, resilience, and hard work. I received huge help from my husband, Sandeep Singh, who used to work for Tata Motors in those days. In fact, it was his dream to make a great company of the future, and I was a person who wanted to support him in achieving his dream.
Beginning with a tiny team and a modest small row house, we have now reached one of the best facilities. Taking on that first order from none other than Aston Martin, UK, and pouring our heart and soul into delivering it, despite the challenges, is truly adventurous! Frankly, those 2 a.m. dinners with family, fueled by determination and commitment to customers, are a testament to our unwavering dedication.
Q: Now 3D Magic Group is rated as one of the best design-to-prototype manufacturers in India. Can you explain how you reached this milestone?
Since 2011, our company has achieved remarkable success, completing over 200+ projects related to design, vehicle engineering, stamping, prototypes, or pre-series production, etc. Out of those, 20+ vehicles for different automobile companies have traveled millions of kilometers to different parts of the world, which showcased the remarkable strength of our technological prowess. Developing the first Electric 2W for a Bangalore-based company in 2017 was a remarkable milestone that showcases our company’s innovation and expertise in electric vehicle technology. Repeat orders from existing customers are a powerful endorsement of our company’s quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Now we are launching the Dawki range of products in April 2025.
Q: Tell us about Dawki Mobility. How is progress expected in the coming months?
With a decade and a half of extensive experience in technology, design, and vehicle engineering, our organization has earned the expertise to create benchmark products in terms of range, price, and uniqueness. Launching our own products in April 2025 will be another milestone for our group, and our goal of creating unique traction in the segments for end-users is ambitious yet achievable. Having industry veteran Tamal Das on our side, the new team is a strategic coup! The industry will take notice of the unique value proposition.
Q: What’s the meaning of women entrepreneurship in general in the context of inclusivity in the automobile or manufacturing sector?
The automobile industry is basically a male-dominated industry. Now, women entrepreneurs in this sector are challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes, demonstrating that women can successfully lead and manage businesses in male-dominated industries. Women entrepreneurship in the automobile/manufacturing sector is crucial for promoting inclusivity, diversity, and innovation. By supporting and empowering women entrepreneurs, we can create a more vibrant and dynamic industry that benefits everyone. To do the right thing consistently, over and over again, is required the most. Trust in yourself to build up a team from nothing to something is what women must think.
How do you balance your family and professional lives?
Time management is the key to balancing any or every role. I am a very disciplined person, and I like all my work to be time-bound. I have clearly defined my boundaries and never mix my family and professional work. I never take any professional work home unless it is a life-and-death situation. Also, I have developed my core team, mostly of women in leading roles, who support me, and in a similar way, I extend the same support to them, as I know women have to balance both roles.
Q: What’s your leadership style?
You can say I’m running my company with my head, hands, and heart. At 3D Magic, I am known for practical, fast, and tough decisions. I always try to build a team who can associate with 3D Magic for a long time and are loyal to us, and for the same, I need to give people the support they need. I do take different approaches sometimes, depending on the situation.
Q: What’s your suggestion for upcoming women entrepreneurs in new start-ups?
Being an entrepreneur is always inspiring, and being a woman entrepreneur is inspiring as well as challenging. Be an entrepreneur whom people look up to. Be disciplined, focused, and never lose your strength and courage in this journey of entrepreneurship. You have to face many hardships. View failures as opportunities to learn and grow. You should also remember to strike a bond with your staff, understand their problems, support them as human beings, not as a boss, and above all, build trust with and among your team.
