{"id":13384,"date":"2023-07-28T10:15:04","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T10:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/TheNextWeb=1398687"},"modified":"2023-07-28T10:15:04","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T10:15:04","slug":"vanmoof-what-startups-can-learn-from-the-rise-and-fall-of-an-ebike-superstar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.londonchiropracter.com\/?p=13384","title":{"rendered":"VanMoof: What startups can learn from the rise and fall of an ebike superstar"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Since launching in 2009, VanMoof, known for its sleek, high-tech city bikes, developed an almost cult-like following \u2014 from the streets of Amsterdam to New York. <\/span><\/p>\n

Today, what was<\/span> once the world\u2019s most-funded ebike<\/a> startup is bankrupt, leaving riders angry, loyal followers depressed, and the industry wondering \u2014 what\u2019s next? <\/span><\/p>\n

Pretty much everyone and their dog has an opinion on the matter. But we wanted to hear from those closest to the action and perhaps the most affected in the long term: ebike startups. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>The VanMoof story deserved a better ending,\u201d says Tanguy Goretti, founder of Belgian ebike company Cowboy, perhaps VanMoof\u2019s closest competitor. \u201cThey helped change the face of the industry, the world\u2019s perception of e-bikes, and had a truly positive impact on cities.\u201d  <\/span><\/p>\n

What went wrong?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Startups and industry experts from far and wide opened up to TNW to share their thoughts. There were a few golden threads that emerged through all the responses, namely: VanMoof grew too quickly, its bikes relied too heavily on high-tech customised parts, and its after-sales service model was unmanageable. Given the current economic climate, it was doomed to fail, chimed some of the respondents.    <\/span><\/p>\n

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Bastian Dietz of the Cycling Innovation Accelerator says he saw it coming. \u201cOnce VanMoof\u2019s 2021 figures were published, it was very clear that their business model wasn\u2019t going to last.\u201d <\/span>VanMoof suffered a loss of almost \u20ac80mn in 2021, \u20ac78mn in 2022, and has never made a profit.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTheir burn rate was off the charts because they tried to do everything themselves,\u201d says industry expert Augustin Friedel, in reference to VanMoof\u2019s end-to-end business model which sought to design, manufacture, sell, and service its expensive ebikes in-house. \u201cThey bit off more than they could chew,\u201d he adds. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"VanMoof
<\/i><\/a>Founded by brothers Taco (left) and Ties Carlier, VanMoof undoubtedly redefined the city bike of today. Credit: VanMoof<\/figcaption>