GeoOrbital is an electric wheel system fitted to existing bicycles by the American company GeoOrbital, Inc.[2] It launched its successful crowdfunding campaign in 2016.[3][4][5][6] A GeoOrbital powered bike was featured during TechCrunch Disrupt NY 2016 at Brooklyn, NY in May 2016.[2][7] In May 2017 it launched a Crowdfunding Reg CF campaign on the site StartEngine [8]

GeoOrbital, Inc.
Company typePrivately held company
IndustryElectric bicycles
Founded2014
FounderMichael Burtov
Number of locations
Cambridge, Massachusetts
ProductsElectric wheel system[1]
Websitewww.geoorbital.com
GeoOrbital wheel

History

edit

GeoOrbital was founded by Michael Burtov in 2014. Burtov conceived the concept while watching a film called Tron, thinking that a lot of space was wasted inside the wheels - leading him to create an electric wheel system.[9] He designed a wheel that can take the place of the existing wheel on nearly any bike, with two size options at launch.[10][11] The motor and battery were able to produce a top speed of 20 mph and battery lasts for 12 miles, extendable to 30 miles with pedaling.[12][13] In 2016, the company debuted on Kickstarter,[14] reaching its fundraising goal of 75,000 within 78 minutes.[2] With the fundraising campaign, the company drew the attention of media and was covered in TechCrunch, Irish Times,[15] Huffington Post,[16] The Verge,[17] Gadgette[18] and others.[19]

The company also successfully raised a funding around of $150,000 from a group of independent angel investors.[2]

The successful kickstarter campaign in May and June 2016 generated $1,261,222 in pledges pre purchasing around 1600 wheels. [14]

References

edit
  1. ^ Jonathan Sawyer (12 May 2016). "The GeoOrbital Wheel Makes Almost Any Bike Electric in 60 Seconds". Highsnobiety. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d Sarah Perez (11 May 2016). "GeoOrbital's wheel turns almost any bike into an electric bike". Techcrunch. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. ^ Dick Ahlstrom (16 May 2016). "GeoOrbital: Inventing the wheel of fortune". Irish Times. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  4. ^ Matthew Barnes (15 May 2016). "Now You Can Make Your Bike Electric With The GeoOrbital Wheel". TechMalak. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  5. ^ Philip E. Ross (26 April 2016). "The GeoOrbital Wheel Lets You Make Your Bike Electric in Minutes". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  6. ^ Dorien Vervoort (3 May 2016). "Maak je oude fiets elektrisch met GeoOrbital". ZDNet. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  7. ^ "ふつうの自転車を簡単に電動アシストにするGeoOrbital". Techcrunch. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  8. ^ "GeoOrbital". StartEngine. Retrieved 2017-05-25.
  9. ^ "Reinventing the electric bike: GeoOrbital goes 'Tron' with new wheel". GeekWire. 2 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  10. ^ Prateek Jose (5 May 2016). "The Wheel That Turns Every Bike Into an eBike". SnapMunk. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  11. ^ Tom Spendlove (13 May 2016). "GeoOrbital Wheel Converts Your Bike to an Electric Cycle". Engineering.com. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  12. ^ Sai Abhijat (18 May 2016). "GeoOrbital wheel makes your bicycle an e-Bike in under 60 seconds!". Gizmo Times. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  13. ^ Philip E. Ross (10 May 2016). "Effortless Biking With the GeoOrbital E-Wheel". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  14. ^ "GeoOrbital Wheel Make your bike electric in 60 seconds". Kickstarter. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  15. ^ "GeoOrbital showcase their eBike wheel". Irish Times. 13 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  16. ^ Thomas Tamblyn (12 May 2016). "GeoOrbital Gives Any Bicycle An Electric Motor In 60 Seconds". Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  17. ^ Sean O'Kane (2 May 2016). "This motorized wheel adds electric power to your bike". The Verge. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  18. ^ Emma Boyle. "This bolt-on wheel will give your bike an electric boost". Gadgette. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  19. ^ Jennifer Allen (10 May 2016). "Kickstarter Weekly: Turn Your Bicycle Electric with GeoOrbital Wheel and More". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 18 May 2016.