The German MobilityTech startup NOVUS from Braunschweig has attracted well-known investors with its futuristic NOVUS One. Although the current market conditions in the e-motorcycle market are challenging, the company has nevertheless successfully completed the seed financing round. Nothing is known about the exact amount, but it is said to be a “seven-figure sum”.
Successful milestone in the seed round
NOVUS was still able to convince investors “despite global uncertainties and a challenging capital market,” according to the press release. The partnership with 468 Capital, a VC with offices in Berlin, Madrid and San Francisco, not only brings financial support but also “valuable expertise” to the company. At the beginning of March, NOVUS subscribed to a convertible before the official seed closing. The shareholder ecosystem is now supplemented by experienced business angels such as Michael Cassau from Grover and Dirk Schwartz as well as ex-CFO Stephan Kniewasser from Chrono24. In January, the startup was also able to announce an 11-member board made up of personalities from the startup scene, the mobility industry, the financial world, the media industry and motorsports, who will participate in the company’s mission in the long term as an Angel Advisor & Ambassador Board.
In the coming weeks, NOVUS will complete the financing round and integrate the last selected angels & co-investors into the shareholder ecosystem. With the mid-seven-figure seed round, the startup is starting EU homologation and planned series production from 2025.
© NOVUS
NOVUS One for modern mobility
The NOVUS One is the first two-wheeler to be developed and manufactured entirely in carbon monocoque construction. The specially developed transverse flow wheel hub motor and a Li-ion battery are intended to set new standards for light motorcycles. According to the manufacturer, the frame of the NOVUS One weighs only 5.8 kg and houses all of the electronics safely inside. This design also makes the vehicle significantly lighter than comparable models at just 108 kg. With a combination of agility and performance, the NOVUS One is aimed at a broad target group “who want to be mobile in a highly individual and contemporary way”.
The Founders Edition of the NOVUS One is limited to 500 pieces and available from €22,634 (leasing from €350 per month). Customers have the opportunity to choose their individual configuration from a few options. Reservations for this edition are already possible. Final offers will be sent six weeks prior to the start of production of the NOVUS One, with expected delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2025.
© NOVUS, founder René Renger
Over a decade of development
NOVUS was founded in 2019 by René Renger, a studied industrial designer and former car designer at Volkswagen. The idea for the “One” arose over a decade ago from the desire to create a “revolutionary light motorcycle”. It should combine the agility of e-bikes with the performance of motorcycles. Together with his co-founder Marcus Weidig, a senior hardware developer, René implemented his vision over the years. It took nine years until they presented their first design prototype at CES 2019 in Las Vegas.
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