In a world where logistics still runs on outdated card systems, Piston is rewriting the rulebook—one fleet at a time. The fintech startup, co-founded by former fleet operators Vikram Sekhon and Shivam Shah, has just closed its $7.5 million seed round, led by Spark Capital, with support from Pear VC and BOND.
What started with a $1.4M pre-seed via the PearX accelerator, has now evolved into a bold cross-border operation connecting fleets and fuel stations with smarter infrastructure—and India is at the heart of it.
With its engineering and part of operations anchored in Kolkata, Piston is a striking example of what modern fintech looks like: Silicon Valley ambition with Indian execution muscle. Shivam Shah, who leads India operations, says the company is doubling down on its presence here—with the 25-member team expected to double in size over the next year.
💬 “We’re not just building payment software—we’re building a new fuel economy,” says Shah.
At its core, Piston replaces legacy card-based payment systems with a QR-code-powered, direct payment infrastructure. No hardware upgrades. No intermediaries. Just a seamless digital layer that connects fleet drivers and fuel stations—linking each transaction to the vehicle, time, location, and fuel data.
Currently live with 120+ fleets and 800+ gas stations, Piston is already processing over $20 million in annualized volume, growing at an eye-popping 50% month-over-month. The fresh funding will be used to scale its go-to-market efforts and deepen its US network, with operations split between Cupertino, Lehi, and Kolkata.
In a space dominated by incumbents resistant to change, Piston is doing what the best startups do: removing friction, creating transparency, and quietly powering a more efficient economy from the background.
As the world moves faster, logistics must follow—and Piston seems ready to lead the way.
