European Micromobility Startups: The Latest Innovations

The Evolution of Micromobility

The landscape of early-stage micromobility has undergone significant changes in recent years. The initial, often disruptive, strategies employed by e-scooter companies focused on rapid expansion are now less prevalent, mirroring a broader shift in venture capital away from this sector and towards AI startups.

Reduced access to capital, coupled with a critical requirement for viable and enduring business models, has fostered the emergence of a new generation of micromobility ventures.

Insights from Micromobility Europe

This week, I participated in Micromobility Europe, held in Brussels. A key component of the conference was the “Startup Arena,” which provided an opportunity to assess the innovations being developed within Europe’s early-stage micromobility ecosystem.

Many of the companies present are focused on addressing existing deficiencies within the industry. These solutions span areas such as fleet management software, optimized parking solutions, and efficient charging infrastructure.

However, a notable number of startups are also dedicated to designing and manufacturing the types of vehicles their founders desired to utilize personally.

The Next Phase of Micromobility

Collectively, these companies embody the continuing development and maturation of the micromobility industry.

They represent a move beyond initial growth-at-all-costs strategies towards a more sustainable and focused approach.

Here's a breakdown of the key areas of innovation:

• Fleet Management Software: Streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
• Parking Solutions: Addressing a major pain point for riders and cities.
• Charging Infrastructure: Enabling wider adoption and longer ride distances.
• Vehicle Design: Creating purpose-built vehicles tailored to specific needs.

Convoy

Electric cargo bikes are frequently promoted as simplifying the routines of parents. However, many models are characterized by substantial weight, considerable bulk, and high costs. Convoy, a U.K.-based company established in 2023, aims to overcome these limitations.

They are developing a cargo conversion kit designed for both bicycles and e-bikes, capable of safely transporting up to two young children.

The Convoy team possesses a varied skillset, drawing experience from fields such as women’s health technology, e-bike engineering, and leadership – including a former CEO of Dyson.

“Our team has collaborated for a decade, initially focused on creating the first hands-free, wearable breast pump,” explained Tatiana Escobar-Peake, Convoy’s chief revenue officer, in an interview with TechCrunch. “Throughout this period, we consistently questioned why parenthood often involves such significant hardship?”

The Convoy attachment is designed for simple installation onto the rear wheel of a standard bicycle. It is also easily stored and weighs approximately 26 pounds.

A 250-watt motor is integrated, effectively converting traditional pedal bikes into e-bikes. Furthermore, the system incorporates rear-wheel steering, maintaining the original bike’s maneuverability.

Preorders for the trailer, priced at €2,200 (equivalent to $2,500), will commence next week. The startup has successfully secured initial funding.

Strong demand from European distributors this year has prompted Convoy to begin planning expansion into both the Japanese and U.S. markets in the coming year.

Azora Charge

Germany-based Azora Charge, established a year and a half ago by siblings Caroline and Johannes Goeckel, is developing solar-powered stations designed for both charging and parking e-bikes. The company’s primary focus isn’t on catering to shared micromobility services, but rather on providing a secure solution for individual e-bike owners for public charging and parking.

According to Caroline Goeckel, speaking with TechCrunch, current infrastructure lacks adequate provisions. “A secure parking option simply doesn’t exist in many places,” she explained, citing London as an example where bike theft is a significant concern.

The Azora Arc is the company’s core offering. This covered charging station occupies a single parking space and incorporates five solar panels. It provides four charging points capable of servicing up to eight bicycles and offers the potential for advertising integration.

Designed for ease of installation, the Azora Arc is a plug-and-play system appropriate for diverse settings, including parking facilities and urban streets.

Azora intends to market these stations to municipalities, residential buildings, retail locations, and other commercial entities. The retail price for the covered Azora Arc is set at €28,000 ($32,000), while the Azora Flow – an uncovered version – will be available for €15,999 ($18,400).

The company is currently seeking €250,000 in funding through venture capital or investment from close contacts. A key requirement of this funding is to secure expertise in business-to-business (B2B) distribution channels.

A pilot program is scheduled to commence in Heidelberg, Germany, to evaluate the functionality and practicality of the initial prototype.

Fleetser

Fleetser functions as a European micromobility marketplace, specializing in the acquisition, resale, and refurbishment of shared electric scooters and bicycles. Established in late 2024, the company provides services to both emerging and existing operators within the industry.

These services encompass assistance with supply chain logistics, software solutions, and battery management.

Serving a Diverse Client Base

Fleetser’s customer network is comprised of entities aiming to divest hardware assets, as well as new companies looking for economical ways to enter the micromobility sector.

According to Alexe Stefan, managing partner at Fleetser, the platform is ideally positioned to support both startups and larger operators seeking affordable expansion opportunities, as reported to TechCrunch.

Operational Structure and Growth

The company maintains a remote operational model, supported by warehousing facilities located in Romania and the Netherlands.

To date, Fleetser has facilitated the sale of 6,000 bicycles this year, and its growth is being driven by organic market demand and positive referrals.

Beyond sales, Fleetser extends logistical support for the transportation and delivery of bicycles.

Discussions were also held with the founding team of Bloom, a Detroit-based company focused on providing comprehensive operational support for e-bike startups, during a recent industry event.

Switch

The Italian company Switch is innovating fleet planning and management for urban environments and shared mobility services, currently piloting its technology with Lime. They provide two primary solutions: Urbiverse, which creates synthetic data and runs simulations for logistics and mobility applications, and Urban Copilot, designed for real-time demand prediction, fleet redistribution, and operational enhancements.

A key feature is an AI agent capable of integrating with various stakeholder tools, such as Slack and CRM systems. This allows users to pose complex, integrated queries.

According to Alessandro Ciociola, Switch’s AI officer, this functionality enables requests like automated Slack notifications when fleet battery levels fall below 40% in a specific area. Users can also request comparative reports on fleet status versus public transportation interruptions.

Established in 2020, Switch has secured approximately $1 million in funding, including investment from the European Institute of Technology.

Zapp

Originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zapp functions as a comprehensive super app. It consolidates a variety of services, including food delivery, micromobility solutions, parcel delivery, car rentals, and taxi hailing.

Established in 2020, Zapp has broadened its operational reach to encompass 10 cities within Bosnia. This expansion occurs in a market where Uber’s influence remains limited, and the company intends to extend its services into Croatia within the current year.

A Unique Franchise Model

A distinguishing characteristic of Zapp lies in its adoption of a franchise-based operational structure. This innovative approach was conceived by CEO Martin Mikolic, who previously held the position of CEO at the Friendly Fire gaming cafe franchise.

Empowering Local Entrepreneurs

According to Mikolic, the franchise model is particularly well-suited to the Balkan region. Competition from larger, established companies is relatively low.

The strategy centers on targeting smaller cities with populations under one million. This is because local individuals possess the most insightful understanding of customer requirements within their respective communities.

“Our franchise system is designed to empower local people,” Mikolic stated, “as they are best positioned to cater to the specific needs of customers in their city.”

J2R

Jean Madaule, formerly a business analyst within the video game sector, sought to purchase an electric motorcycle. However, he discovered a lack of available options aligning with his criteria for tracking, ease of repair, and aesthetic design.

Possessing engineering skills acquired through self-study, Madaule began constructing motorcycles in his personal workshop. This ultimately led to the development of J2R’s primary offering.

Founded in 2022, J2R designated its inaugural electric motorcycle as "Smol," a name reflecting its compact dimensions.

Smol boasts a distinctive, bold design, drawing inspiration from futuristic dirtbike aesthetics while maintaining a minimalist character. This is further accentuated by elements such as the visible suspension system.

“The vehicle is conceived as a playful item, specifically tailored for urban environments,” Madaule explained. “It primarily appeals to individuals deeply connected to city life and street culture. The strategy of limited availability seems to resonate with this audience, fostering a sense of exclusivity.”

A presale initiative was initiated in September, with a price point of €9,450 ($10,800). The company intends to deliver 15 individually numbered units before the year's end, followed by an additional 100 units in January 2026.

Assembly of the Smol takes place in France, utilizing components sourced predominantly from within the European Union.

Trace Mobility

Tobias Meurer, previously the founder of Velocity Mobility, a German bike-sharing service, possesses a deep understanding of the challenges inherent in the shared micromobility sector.

In April 2023, he launched a new venture, Trace Mobility, focused on delivering business intelligence solutions specifically designed for bike and car-sharing companies.

Service Offering

Trace Mobility provides a software-as-a-service platform accessible through a subscription model.

This platform monitors crucial performance indicators, including user sign-ups, reservation volumes, vehicle usage rates, and generated income.

Furthermore, the system incorporates publicly accessible data sources and features an AI-powered agent capable of generating tailored insights and recommending operational improvements.

Target Audience

The company primarily serves smaller operators who do not maintain proprietary booking systems.

Instead, these operators utilize white-label solutions, from which Trace Mobility extracts data to formulate unique analyses for its clientele.

Focus on Profitability

“A significant concern for all businesses in this industry is achieving profitability,” stated Meurer.

“To enhance profitability, or even initially attain it, a thorough comprehension of the factors influencing both cost and revenue structures, and their interrelation, is essential.”