- Skarper has created a device that clips onto any bicycle, making it an eBike.
- Backed by Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy, the startup has just secured £4.5 million in funding this month.
- With convenience and design at its core, and developed in collaboration with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, Skarper is helping every bike become an e-bike.
Website: https://www.skarper.com/
What Is Skarper?
Skarper is a tech company that is changing the eBike industry. Backed by Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy, the company has created a device that clicks into regular bikes to transform them into eBikes.
Their easy-to-install DiskDrive® system was developed by a team of the company’s engineers in partnership with the F1 team Red Bull Racing Technologies team.
Together, they have created a device that contains a motor and battery pack with a range of up to 50km.
As a lot of eBikes tend to be heavy and bulky, the company has created a product that is compact, lightweight and easy to use.
What Makes Skarper Unique?
Skarper stands out for its DiskDrive® technology, a clip-on system that can be installed on any bike with a disc brake.
Unlike other eBikes, which have bulky technology on their frames and wheels, Skarper’s device is a small, easy to install option for any type of cyclist.
Whilst eBike conversion kits aren’t necessarily new, a lightweight and well-designed option hasn’t yet dominated the market – and Skarper certainly has the potential to do so.
Whilst the devices aren’t quite on the market just yet, they are expected to start selling later this year.
Speaking to EU-Startups around their newly announced £4.5 million, Adjuvo CEO Mark Foster-Brown said:
“Skarper is set to establish itself as a major player and novel part of the fast growing e-bike market with a unique device that could revolutionise the sector. Cycling is a $100 billion industry and is only forecast to grow as new assistance technology is developed to enable more people to use it both as a form of transport and recreation. Everything we have seen suggests Skarper will therefore generate enormous customer demand globally.”
Want to be featured as TechRound’s Startup of the Week? Find out more about this weekly feature, and how to get involved, here.
Is There A Market For eBikes?
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global electric bike market size was valued at $43.59 billion in 2023 & is projected to grow from $50.14 billion in 2024 to $148.70 billion by 2032.
This is fuelled by a number of factors, such as:
A need for better urban mobility: as cities become more crowded, people are looking for better, cheaper and more environmentally friendly ways to navigate urban areas.
Fuel costs: As fuel costs continue to be unpredictable, especially in the wake of global wars, consumers are looking for ways to get around that don’t rely on fuel. eBikes are a great solution to this, as they tend to be battery powered, meaning lower running costs.
Sustainability concerns: Young people today are more environmentally conscious than ever and transport is a big factor in this. eBikes provide a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to other transport, making them a popular choice amongst sustainable consumers.
Where Can You Find Skarper?
Whilst Skarper’s product isn’t available yet, you can find them at their website: https://www.skarper.com/
