German mobility company NOVUS has closed a double-digit million US dollar funding round led by Berlin and San Francisco based venture capital firm 468 Capital. The financing will support the company's expansion across European cities, the development of a higher volume second model, and a planned United States launch in 2027. The announcement follows the start of European customer deliveries for the NOVUS One in spring 2026.
A New Category Between E-Bike and Motorcycle
The NOVUS One is a lightweight electric two-wheeler positioned between an e-bike, a scooter, and a motorcycle. It is designed for daily urban travel and combines the simple operation of an electric bicycle with the speed and performance of a motorcycle, without a clutch or conventional gears. The company was founded in Braunschweig in 2019 by René Renger, a former Volkswagen designer who worked on the Golf 8 and ID. Buzz.
Backing from a Cross-Industry Investor Network
More than 30 investors from technology, automotive, fashion, consumer goods, and venture capital now back NOVUS. Backers include Eric Bach, former Chief Engineer at Lucid Motors and Director of Engineering at Tesla, and Martin Hoffmann, who helped scale On and take it public. The shareholder ecosystem also includes leaders associated with Adidas, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-AMG, Xiaomi, and several family offices, but no established two-wheeler manufacturer.
Funding Fuels European Growth and US Launch
The fresh capital will support the United States market launch planned for late 2027, beginning in California before expanding to other states. It will also fund broader European distribution and development of the NOVUS Two, a volume model intended to bring the lightbike category to a wider market at a lower entry price. Production of the second model is scheduled to begin in late 2027.
Engineering Focused on Lightweight Simplicity
The NOVUS One accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in under two seconds and delivers up to 430 Nm of torque and 25 kW of peak power. Its 6.2 kWh battery offers a claimed range of up to 150 km and can charge from 0 to 80% in 90 minutes. A self-supporting carbon frame and hub-mounted drivetrain keep the vehicle weight at 121 kg, while the Founders Edition starts at €21,300 excluding tax.
A Deliberate Approach to Scaling
Chief Strategy Officer Hannes A. H. Krieger said NOVUS is intentionally avoiding the rapid production targets that have caused difficulties for other vehicle startups. The company is producing smaller volumes first and developing close relationships with early customers, several of whom became investors after buying the product. NOVUS has also created a community through the NOVUS Club and collaborated with Hugo Boss before vehicle certification was complete.
Targeting Car Drivers Rather Than Motorcycle Riders
NOVUS sees its addressable market as more than 400 million car drivers across Europe and North America rather than the two-wheeler niche. In many markets, the entry configuration can be ridden with a standard car license, and the company says most first-time riders can learn basic controls in about three minutes. The vehicle is offered in two software-defined performance levels, including a scooter class and a motorcycle class.
Looking ahead, NOVUS plans to apply its lightweight architecture to four-wheel urban vehicles and sees software and artificial intelligence playing a greater role in future models. The company positions itself as a design-driven brand that builds emotional appeal before broadening accessibility with later models. With production underway, new financing secured, and a United States launch planned, NOVUS aims to turn urban car drivers into everyday riders.