Europe’s Micromobility Startups Gear Up for the Next Phase
The landscape of early-stage micromobility in Europe is evolving, shifting away from the rapid, often chaotic scaling strategies of the past. With venture capital now favoring AI startups, a new wave of micromobility companies is emerging, focused on sustainable business models and addressing key industry gaps.
At Micromobility Europe in Brussels, the “Startup Arena” showcased several promising ventures aiming to redefine urban transportation. These startups are innovating in areas like fleet management software, parking solutions, charging infrastructure, and even designing the vehicles themselves.
Here’s a closer look at some of the startups making waves:
Convoy
U.K.-based Convoy is tackling the challenges of heavy, bulky, and expensive e-cargo bikes with a clip-on cargo conversion kit for bikes and e-bikes. Founded in 2023, Convoy’s kit can carry up to two small children and features a 250-watt motor, effectively turning pedal bikes into e-bikes while preserving the bike’s turning circle. Preorders for the €2,200 ($2,500) trailer are launching soon, with expansion to Japan and the U.S. planned for next year.
Azora Charge
Germany-based Azora Charge, founded by Caroline and Johannes Goeckel, is focused on providing secure charging and parking solutions for e-bike owners. Their flagship product, Azora Arc, is a solar-powered charging station that fits within a single parking space. Featuring five integrated solar panels and four charging stations for up to eight bikes, the Azora Arc is priced at €28,000 ($32,000), while the uncovered Azora Flow is available for €15,999 ($18,400). A pilot program is slated for Heidelberg, Germany.
Fleetser
Fleetser, a European micromobility marketplace, facilitates the buying, selling, and refurbishing of shared electric bikes and scooters. Catering to both new and established operators, the company offers support with supply chain management, software, and batteries. With warehouses in Romania and the Netherlands, Fleetser has sold 6,000 bikes this year and is expanding organically.
Switch
Italian startup Switch is applying AI and simulation to fleet planning and management for cities and shared mobility operators. Their products, Urbiverse and Urban Copilot, offer synthetic data, real-time demand forecasting, and operations optimization. Switch’s AI agent integrates with tools like Slack and CRM apps, enabling users to ask complex questions and automate tasks.
Zapp
Zapp, a super app from Bosnia and Herzegovina, combines food delivery, shared micromobility, package delivery, car rentals, and taxi services. Operating on a franchise model, Zapp has expanded to 10 cities in Bosnia and plans to enter Croatia, focusing on smaller cities where it can empower local operators.
J2R
J2R is an electric motorcycle company founded in 2022, offering a unique and stylish take on urban transportation. Their first model, Smol, boasts a futuristic dirtbike design with minimalist appeal. Priced at €9,450 ($10,800), Smol is assembled in France with parts primarily sourced from the EU, with limited units planned for the initial deliveries.
Trace Mobility
Trace Mobility provides business intelligence services for bike and car-sharing operators. Founded by Tobias Meurer, the company offers a subscription-based software service that tracks key metrics and integrates publicly available data. Trace Mobility targets smaller operators who rely on white-label solutions, offering insights and operational suggestions to improve profitability.
