Berlin-based DANCE raises €15 million for its purpose-driven e-bike subscription service
Summary
Less than three months since launching its pilot programme, German startup DANCE closes a €15 million Series A funding round led by HV Holtzbrinck Ventures, with the goal of bringing its joyful, sustainable and frictionless e-bike subscription service to the world. As city commuters and consumers alike look to greener and more reliable transport alternatives for all aspects of their daily lives, DANCE offers an exciting new connected model which innovates from traditional bike design. “We’ve become inundated with positive responses from around the world since we announced our invite-only pilot program, and it’s become crystal clear just how much desire, demand and excitement there is for a service like DANCE across the world.” Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, bike usage was already gaining popularity, but exploded when social distancing restrictions were put into place globally. Customers’ mobile devices become powerful digital bike dashboards through DANCE’s app, offering easily understood concierge services, GPS location tracking and frictionless unlocking capabilities for worry-free ease of use. Unfortunately, the majority of e-bikes on the market today have some combination of poor design, high upfront costs and cumbersome maintenance,” said Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Holtzbrinck Ventures.