Europe’s Micromobility Startups: Convoy, Azora Charge, Fleetser, Switch, Zapp, & J2R Lead the Way
The micromobility landscape in Europe is undergoing a transformation. Gone are the days of e-scooter chaos and abundant venture capital, with funding shifting towards burgeoning AI startups. Today’s environment demands sustainable business models, giving rise to a new wave of micromobility companies focused on filling critical gaps in the industry.
At Micromobility Europe in Brussels, innovative startups showcased solutions ranging from fleet management software and parking solutions to advanced charging infrastructure and unique vehicle designs. These companies represent the next evolution of the micromobility sector, addressing its challenges and capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
Convoy, a U.K.-based startup founded in 2023, aims to simplify family transportation with its clip-on cargo conversion kit for bikes and e-bikes. Designed to carry up to two small children, Convoy addresses the common issues of heavy, bulky, and expensive e-cargo bikes. According to Tatiana Escobar-Peake, Convoy’s chief revenue officer, the company’s decade-long experience in women’s health tech has driven them to create solutions that ease the challenges faced by new parents. The attachment, priced at €2,200 ($2,500), features a 250-watt motor and rear-wheel steering, and is set to launch preorders soon, with expansion plans into Japan and the U.S.
Azora Charge, a German startup founded by Caroline and Johannes Goeckel, is tackling the charging infrastructure problem with its solar-powered charging and parking stations for e-bikes. Targeting e-bike owners rather than shared micromobility operators, Azora Charge aims to provide safe and convenient public charging options. Caroline Goeckel emphasized the lack of secure parking solutions, citing theft concerns in cities like London. The Azora Arc, their flagship product, is a covered charging station with five integrated solar panels and four charging stations, priced at €28,000 ($32,000). A pilot program is planned for Heidelberg, Germany.
Fleetser, established in late 2024, operates a European marketplace for buying, selling, and refurbishing shared electric bikes and scooters. The company supports both new and established operators with supply chain solutions, software management, and battery services. “We are the right marketplace to help someone that wants to start out, or even a big operator that wants to expand affordably,” stated Alexe Stefan, managing partner at Fleetser. With warehouses in Romania and the Netherlands, Fleetser has sold 6,000 bikes this year and offers logistics support.
Switch, an Italian startup, is leveraging AI and simulation to revolutionize fleet planning and management. Their Urbiverse product generates synthetic data for logistics and mobility simulations, while Urban Copilot offers real-time demand forecasting and operations optimization. Alessandro Ciociola, Switch’s AI officer, highlighted their AI agent’s ability to integrate with various tools, enabling users to ask complex questions and automate tasks. Founded in 2020, Switch has raised nearly $1 million and is currently piloting with Lime.
Zapp, a super app from Bosnia and Herzegovina, combines food delivery, shared micromobility, package delivery, rent-a-car, and taxi services. Operating on a franchise model, Zapp targets smaller cities in the Balkans where competition from established players like Uber is limited. According to CEO Martin Mikolic, this approach empowers local people and better caters to customer needs.
J2R is producing electric motorcycles with a focus on traceability, reparability, and unique design. Founder Jean Madaule, driven by his own need for a suitable electric motorcycle, developed J2R’s flagship model, Smol. This motorcycle combines futuristic dirtbike styling with minimalist appeal. The team is launching a presale campaign with a price tag of €9,450 ($10,800), with assembly in France using primarily EU-sourced parts.
Trace Mobility, founded by Tobias Meurer, offers business intelligence services for bike and car-sharing operators. Their subscription-based software tracks essential metrics such as user registrations, bookings, vehicle utilization, and revenues. Targeting smaller operators relying on white-label solutions, Trace Mobility provides customized insights and operational suggestions using an AI agent. Meurer emphasized the importance of understanding cost and revenue structures to improve profitability.
