After lockdowns lead to an e-bike boom, VanMoof raises $40M Series B to expand globally
E-bike startup VanMoof, has raised a $40 million investment from Norwest Venture Partners, Felix Capital and Balderton Capital. The Series B financing comes after a $13.5 million investment in May. The funding brings VanMoof's total raised to $73 million and furthers the e-bike brand's ultimate mission of getting the next billion on bikes.
The Series B funding will be used to meet the increased demand, shorten delivery times and build a suite of rider service solutions. It also aims to boost its share of the e-bike market in North America, Europe and Japan.
Partly driven by the switch of commuters away from public transport because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the e-bike craze is taking off.
Governments are now investing in cycling infrastructure and the e-bike market is set to surpass $46 billion in the next six years, according to reports.
Ties Carlier, co-founder VanMoof commented: E-bike adoption was an inevitable global shift that was already taking place for many years now but COVID-19 put an absolute turbo on it to the point that we're approaching a critical mass to transform cities for the better."
VanMoof says it realized a 220% global revenue growth during the worldwide lockdown and sold more bikes in the first four months of 2020 than the previous two years combined.
Stew Campbell, Principal at Norwest said: Taco, Ties and the VanMoof team have not only built an unparalleled brand and best-selling product, but they're reshaping city mobility all over the world."
Colin Hanna, Principal at Balderton: As the COVID-19 crisis hit supply chains worldwide, VanMoof's unique control over design and production was a key advantage that allowed the company to react nimbly and effectively. Moreover, VanMoof's direct to consumer approach allows the company to build a close relationship to their riders, one that will be strengthened by new products and services in the years to come."
VanMoof launched the new VanMoof S3 and X3 in April of this year. I reviewed the S3 here and checked out the earlier X2 version here.