The Munich-based startup drais aims to bring a stylish and relatively affordable e-bike to market. So that even those who didn't switch to cycling this summer no longer have an excuse. Engineer Andy Weinzierl founded drais together with his father, Tom, also an engineer and former bike shop owner.
1. Who are you and what do you do? Please briefly introduce yourself and your product!
I am Andy, 23, and together with my father Tom I have drais.bike We make electric bicycles accessible to everyone, thus contributing to improving air quality and mobility in major cities. I studied industrial engineering and logistics management at Munich University of Applied Sciences and am currently completing my master's degree in technology management at University College London.
2. But that's been around for a long time!
The e-bike market is booming, and there are so many different concepts and manufacturers. Unfortunately, I still couldn't find what I was looking for in the selection. I wanted a good-looking, electrically assisted bike for under €1,000. A small battery that I could easily carry around for charging was also very important to me.
Our drais.bike looks like a traditional single-speed bike, weighs just under 15 kilograms, and has a removable 800-gram battery that doubles as a power bank for your smartphone. And the best part? We can probably offer it for €899, and we're even currently developing a women's version.
“E-bikes are not just for ‘old people’”
3. What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Although I was somewhat familiar with supply chains and all the associated processes from internships at major automobile manufacturers, building something like this from scratch myself, conceptualizing the product and coordinating it with the producer was and is a greater challenge than I expected.
We also need to convince a previously unaddressed target group that e-bikes are not just for “old people,” but are simply a lot of fun, and that drais.bike makes it no longer worthwhile to buy a regular bike.
4. Let’s get down to business: How is business going?
We'll be going into pre-sale at the end of 2018, so we can supply customers with our bikes in spring 2019. Maybe we'll have a cooler answer here then 😉
5. What does Munich mean to you?
Munich is my home. Building a small (or even large) team here would be my biggest dream. I am sure that through initiatives such as the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship, the UnternehmerTUM and the CDTM Recruiting motivated people also becomes easier. I've been hanging out at startup events for years and really enjoy the atmosphere there.
“We’re looking forward to the unicorn edition!”
6. How will your startup become the next unicorn? Or will we see you soon at Epic Fail Night?
Instead, we're focused on building a sustainably successful company. I find these premature unicorn valuations dangerous and completely pointless. But if it does happen, we're already looking forward to the pink unicorn edition!
7. Helles or Prosecco?
For cycling, of course, only one cyclist!
