BENTONVILLE, USA - Open to companies based in North America, Europe, and Asia, an innovative program dedicated to promoting 10 tech startups focused on cycling has been initiated by the Arkansas Global Cycling Accelerator (AGCA). The accelerator will offer a 10-week hybrid program designed to support cycling-related tech innovation.
LILLE, France - Decathlon Pulse, the investment arm and start-up studio of retail giant Decathlon, and Rebike, well known in the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) for the refurbishment and sale of second-hand e-bikes, have teamed-up through an investment to boost refurbished e-bike sales in Europe.
DHAKA, Bangladesh - Known as a manufacturer of textiles, garments, lingerie and chemicals, Panam Group diversified into the production of bicycles a year ago. The company is keen to expand into newer sectors and found bicycle production and its exports a potential area thanks to the favourable duty structure for Bangladesh-based bicycle exporters to the European Union (EU).
DHAKA, Bangladesh - A growing number of suppliers of bicycles and various components to the European market have recently invested in production in Bangladesh. The country is already home to a few key global bicycle joint ventures. Now other Asian suppliers to Europe are also investing into production facilities considering low cost of production like low labor costs and duty exemptions for exports to Europe.
AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - Support from Pon.Bike makes it possible for Ziemi to venture its innovative bicycle lighting system into international markets. Pon.Bike is, among others, the largest of seven parties that recently participated in an investment round raising €300,000.
LONDON, England - Skarper, which was founded in 2020, has secured £4.5m (€5.1 million) in additional financing from a syndicate of prominent investors for developing its portable drive system. The start-up will use the investment to deliver its first products to the market in Q4 of this year.
BRUSSELS, Belgium - The omnichannel brand Cowboy has announced a new strategic investor. Cypress Capital is leading a €5 million financing round supported by existing investors. Hongkong based Cypress Capital invested €3 million while other existing Cowboy partners Index Ventures, Hardware Club, Future Positive Capital, Isomer, and Exor together invested another €2 million.
ROTORUA, New Zealand - Start-up Bike Matrix has secured a significant NZ$2 million (€1.1 million) investment from within the bicycle industry. "This investment from within the bicycle industry, brings invaluable market validation, experience, and expertise from a seasoned industry insider." The name of the investor remains undisclosed but Bike Matrix co-founder Adam Townsend confirmed to Bike Europe that it is a component manufacturer.
LOS ANGELES, US - "The bicycle industry can expect a gradual recovery with significant upside in the medium to long term, with 2026 and 2027 marking pivotal years for increased mergers and acquisitions and investment opportunities." This is the conclusion of a new report led by global investment bank Houlihan Lokey. In contrast to the current market conditions, the study indicates that another boom period for the industry is also possible before the end of the decade.
CAMBRIDGE, UK - Barclays Sustainable Impact Capital, Mercia Ventures, the Midlands Engine Investment Fund (MEIF) and Green Angel Syndicate have invested £4 million (€3.4 million) in cargobike manufacturer and logistics provider Zedify. Since its foundation in 2015, Zedify has raised a total of £14.1 million (€11.9 million).
WICKEDE, Germany - To comply with the latest EU regulations and to step up the company's CSR effort, bicycle component manufacturer Humpert rolled out an extensive investment program for its double-nickel-chrome electroplating plant. The chrome-plated surface of all ergotec steel handlebars and handlebars will be switched to the Reach-compliant Chrome 3 process from 1st July.
NEW DEHLI, India - Metro Tyres Limited is gearing-up to further expand the footprint of its house brand 'Ortem' in the European and US market. The Indian bicycle tyre manufacturer with production sites in Ludhiana has invested in doubling the tyre and tube production capacity of its export-oriented facility to also further expand into the private label business.
DULUTH, Georgia - Fox Factory Holding started 2024 with a net sales drop of 16.6% to $333.47 million (€309.91 million) compared with 2023. In a move signaling confidence in the company, Michael Dennison, the chief executive officer of Fox Factory Holding Corp has purchased shares of the company's stock amounting to a total of $498,375.
