Ebike Cargo is a visionary start-up based in San Diego CA. We specialize in the design and manufacture of smart, secure cargo systems for bicycles. This is a high impact, green, scalable project with an experienced, driven team at exactly the right time.
Please see our products, videos and articles at www.ebikecargo.com
Transportation experts predict that electric bikes will play a major role in the future of mobility and logistics. Today's global e-bike mobility marketplace is an exciting and rapidly expanding space. The Velocker system offers bicycle users a secure and versatile cargo solution that effectively transforms their bicycle into a realistic mobility strategy. Finally!
Our utilitarian aluminum saddle boxes are lightweight, safe and stylish. Velockers are built for the rigors of real world bicycle transportation and logistics. Thoughtful design, robust construction and recyclable materials combine to form the greenest and most sustainable product imaginable. Our team has years of experience developing meaningful, disruptive products and successfully launching entirely new product categories. We are appealing to impact and green investors to help us grow Ebike Cargo into a profitable and sustainable global enterprise.
We will require at least $500k investment to launch in the US and European markets during the next 12-16 months. During that time we will build out our team, set up 2 small distribution centers, refine designs, manufacture inventory and employ our B2B and B2C sales strategies. We are ideally positioned to launch Velocker through international partnerships with bicycle manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Our e-commerce site www.ebikecargo.com will offer an extensive selection of bicycle accessories that make “Life by bike” easier for all.
We also expect to collaborate with logistics providers on the next generation of sustainable fleet delivery and service vehicles.
Our mission at Ebikecargo is to help people and organizations gracefully transition to sustainable bicycle mobility and logistics. With current electric bike technology and the Velocker cargo system, bike transportation has never been easier. Ours is a simple technology that can have a profound impact in the fight against climate change and on our customers quality of life.
Business Name: Ebike Cargo LLC Business Structure: LLC, CA Business Location: 2390 Shelter Island Drive #219 San Diego, CA 92106 Date Established: 06-2020 Domain Name: https://www.ebikecargo.com Business Owner: Brian Hoffman
Our Team Ebike Cargo was born out of our desire to live more sustainably. We have spent the past two years laying the groundwork for what will be a meaningful, profitable, global business. Brian Hoffman (Founder) is a visionary inventor and entrepreneur who applies his broad abilities toward building a better future. Brian specializes in developing simple, sustainable solutions to complex problems. His business adventures include: ● Revolution Marine Outfitting Inc. is a successful yacht outfitting, logistics and repair company founded in 2008. Our team brings creative technical solutions to boating, maximizing the customer experience and managing complex projects. ● Doghook Inc. is a thriving pet safety company founded in 2014, based on Brian’s simple, ingenious hitch designs. We have sold over 35,000 Doghooks to pet professionals and dog friendly homes and businesses around the world, and we will continue to make the world a safer place for
Katrina Leblanc (VP of Operations) is our operations and finance manager. Katrina has over 20 years of experience growing SMEs and managing teams. She specializes in business management, financial analysis and e-commerce. ● Katrina has been an integral member of our business development team since 2012. She has modernized operations while expanding our now international distribution network. ● Ms. Leblanc gained extensive accounting, bookkeeping and human resources and experience in the real estate development sector. Katrina is an operations, financial, and budgeting expert and keeps our companies running smoothly.
Don Carter (CTO and Media Manager) is our resident tech and data guru. Don has used his creative talent and technical ability to help several San Diego start-ups scale. He has a strong background in website development, graphic design, social media marketing and IT. ● Don joined our development team in 2018 and has been instrumental in scaling Doghook Inc. At Ebike Cargo he wears many hats, managing digital content and all things tech, while running our fulfillment and logistics operations. ● Don has also worked as a Freelance IT Professional, Touring Musician, Media Specialist and Marketing Manager.
Our History
In 2017, founder Brian Hoffman began using an electric cargo bike for his 25 mile daily commute, but struggled to carry around his daily needs. After extensive research, he found that durable, secure cargo solutions for bicycles did not exist. This led Brian, a skilled designer, to fabricate a set of lightweight aluminum saddle boxes which he securely fastened to his bike, and Ebike Cargo was born.
Over the last two years our team has developed efficient manufacturing protocols and a tight, scalable supply chain. We have designed sturdy aluminum cases, robust attachment systems and a variety of accessories to broaden the appeal of the Velocker system. We continue to test the limits of bicycle mobility every day, growing our tribe and demonstrating what is possible to the bicycle curious.
The first small run of Velockers was used to introduce our secure cargo cases to decision makers at bicycle companies and to develop social media awareness. We sold 80 prototype Velockers to supporters, generating income while gaining insight into our customers' diverse mobility needs. Our first generation product run was instrumental in validating and debugging the Velocker concept. Since selling out of the first 100 units we have compiled a pre-order list with over 50 consumers wanting to order Velockers and several large bicycle OEMs and retailers wanting to order Gen 2 product.
The Product
The Velocker™ cargo system is the first locking aluminum bicycle pannier on the market, which is hard to believe. Our current product line includes two sizes of secure panniers, with highly compatible attachment systems and a growing list of options and accessories. Velockers are built for the rigors of real world bicycle transportation and logistics. Thoughtful design, robust construction and recyclable materials combine to form the greenest and most sustainable product imaginable.
Generation 1 Velockers consist of a 13 sided, top loading aluminum case with a removable lid and a lock. We have engineered Velockers to be lightweight, safe and attractive. The current Max, compatible with mid and long tail bikes, has a large interior volume of 31.2 liters and weight capacity of 75 pounds. The Sport version, compatible with standard bikes, has a volume of 14.2 liters and can handle 45 pounds. All of our cases are weather resistant and employ our proprietary and highly compatible hook-clamp mounting system.
Velockers also feature a large, stable, flat cargo deck with built in tie downs for carrying larger bulky items. Our locking lid designs offer security, but can also be removed for carrying passengers or pets. This highly versatile, secure system is the first generation of what will become an extensive line of transformative, disruptive products.
Our products are designed to be precision manufactured and assembled in remote markets, minimizing shipping, tax and GHG emissions. We will continue to make our proprietary hook-clamp components in the USA. As we scale, we will invest in tooling and technology to significantly reduce manufacturing cost and improve product quality.
The Velocker cargo system, while a compelling innovation, is only the beginning. Our sleek next generation products will make e-bike mobility as stylish and cool as it is utilitarian and efficient. We will use cutting edge design, materials and manufacturing to develop a dynamic product line. Collaborating with bicycle designers, we will help to create the bicycles of the future.
The Market
Over the past 3 years we have established collaborative relationships with major e-bike OEMs, retailers and social media influencers. All of whom understand the importance of secure cargo capabilities for e-bikes.
It has become obvious to most informed citizens that we must sharply reduce our reliance on fossil fuels to reduce the worsening effects of climate change. It is also becoming known that electric cars and trucks, with their huge resource and power requirements, not to mention cost, are not the answer to our sustainable mobility and logistics issues. In round numbers, the average electric car requires 50x more resources to manufacture and operate when compared to an electric bicycle. As fuel and rare metal prices soar, the efficiency of e-bikes will reinforce accelerated and extended market growth.
Electric bicycles, in a variety of forms, will account for a large segment of personal transportation and last mile logistics by 2030. Our Velocker™ cargo systems are backward compatible with approximately 60% of the 1 billion bicycles currently in use around the world. In simple terms of energy input and carbon output, there is no more efficient and capable vehicle than a Velocker equipped e-bike.
Velockers truly appeal to men and women of all age groups and of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Our products are also directly applicable for business use. Velockers are currently in use by first responders, educators, students, executives, tradespeople, restaurateurs, photographers and couriers across the USA.
Cities in Europe, most notably Copenhagen, Amsterdam and London have been implementing wildly popular bicycle transportation initiatives successfully for decades. These mobility transformations in the face of continued urban overcrowding and escalating parking and traffic issues have urban planners fundamentally rethinking transportation. In the face of spiraling fuel and energy costs, we are offering affordable, versatile, sustainable transportation solutions for the first time.
We will leverage relationships that we have built with companies like Benno Bikes, Bosch, Tern, Rad and Pedego to accelerate sales growth and market traction. We will also collaborate with flagship bicycle retailers to generate awareness, media attention and industry buzz around this new and exciting product category. We will market our sustainable mobility solutions to the ranks of environmental and bicycle advocacy organizations who are friendly to this project. As we quickly establish traction and growth, we will repeat this go to market strategy in overseas markets.
The Competition
Our closest competition are companies like Ortleib and Thule selling rubberized nylon bags which are quite different from our products. The competition’s products are not secure, do not have the weight capacity of Velockers and have a high risk of being stolen. Pannier bags work for some users, but they are prone to rips and tears and have low weight capacities. Pannier bags are also not effective at carrying passengers or pets, are generally less waterproof, and tend to crush whatever you put in them.
By contrast Velockers are lightweight, recyclable aluminum. The boxes are secure and puncture proof, they can carry heavier loads and they also protect your belongings from being crushed. Velockers are also easily convertible to carry kids, pets or adult passengers safely by just removing the locking lids. The Velocker system also has the added benefits of being insulatable and having a huge top deck with built in tie downs for carrying large bulky loads.
Action Plan
We intend to build a lean, global manufacturing and distribution network in the next 5 years.
With sufficient funding in place we will employ a 4 step process to wide market launch.
Step 1. Product Development
We work with our network of engineers and manufacturing experts to redesign Velocker products and accessories for large scale manufacturing. Our focus will be on improving fit and finish, safety and accessory design.
Step 2. Team Building -We work with our US and international contacts to build a team of professionals with experience in:
bicycle industry affairs, regulatory (EU, US)
marketing, sales advertising (B2B, B2C, B2G)
distribution and logistics (EU, US)
logistics and fleet operations, collaborations
Step 3. Set Up
We establish 2 affordable facilities in the US and EU to manage sales and distribution
We systematize operations and create equitable, efficient business structure
We build collaborative, long term relationships with “in market” contract manufacturers
Step 4. Launch
Launch highly collaborative product partnerships with multiple bicycle OEMs
Launch next generation e-commerce sites in EU and US with fully realized builder utility
Launch distribution to bike shops through established distribution channels
Launch fleet sales and pilots through major public/private logistics organizations
Financial Overview
Ebike Cargo Products will launch in the US Q1, 2023. We plan to manufacture 1000 units for the US market by the end of this year(2022). We expect the majority of those units to be sold through our OEM partnerships and flagship retailers. A targeted social media campaign will be coordinated with structured traditional media outreach. We expect a strong and immediate demand for our products in the US and Europe and we will be prepared for rapid expansion.
In the short and medium term our outside sales efforts will focus on bicycle OEMs, regional bicycle parts distributors and selected online retailers. Bicycle shops around the world are at the centers of their communities, it will be incredibly important to develop solid relationships with distributors and retailers in the marketplace, while still effectively working with box-bike companies to cross market and build fleet sales.
We will collaborate extensively with bicycle manufacturers to develop standards and improve the safety and efficiency of future mobility and logistics bikes. We believe the locking cargo case to be the missing link between the bicycle as we know it, and a rapid evolution and adoption of global transportation cycling.
Our expected revenue streams will be:
Wholesale to bike OEMs
Wholesale to distributors and direct to independent dealers
Fleet sales, large organizations, private-public logistics operators
Fleet sales to gig riders through partnerships w/companies like Doordash
Programs in partnership with financial institutions, offering low monthly payments for mobility e-bikes w/companies like Ridepanda
Fleet sales to government and NGOs, police and first responders
As market awareness improves, we expect our distribution and dealer network to extend into all global markets. We expect fleet sales and logistics partnerships to approach 50% of our sales within the first 5 years of operation. The efficiency and value of Ebike Cargo Products in the organizational and gig delivery marketplace can not be overstated.
The Ask
Ebike Cargo is seeking co-founders and investor/partners with relevant expertise and $200-500K of capital investment available. This capital will allow us to build out our team, refine accessory designs, manufacture inventory, and launch international sales/distribution. This is a ground floor opportunity to join a visionary team making exciting, important products while building a better, more sustainable future.
