Porsche buys shares in FAZUA
Next milestone for Bavarian manufacturer of innovative compact e-bike drive units
Munich, 10/02/2022. Onwards to more growth: None other than prominent automotive manufacturer Porsche AG secured 20 percent of the shares in FAZUA GmbH this January. The agreement also includes an option to acquire enough shares to let Porsche take over FAZUA completely.
“This investment by Porsche fuels the ongoing acceleration of FAZUA’s positive company development. Together, we will put the pedal to the metal to advance our ‘better rides’ vision,” state FAZUA’s CEOs.
Founded in 2013, the company is a pioneer in light-weight compact drive technology. More than 40 major bike brands swear by FAZUA drive units, whose technology single-handedly established the “light e-bikes” category on the market. Based in Ottobrunn near Munich, the company currently employs more than 100 people. The drive unit manufacturer is well- known for defying market realities and forging new paths in development — with design and performance always taking priority.
"Entering a partnership with the strongest brand in automotive unites forces and marks the beginning of a new era in mobility. It is a privilege to help build FAZUA from foundation in 2013 to Series A in 2017 until today as lead investor. FAZUA is a great example of a hardware enabled and globally competitive business built in our ecosystem.", states Benjamin Erhart, Partner at UVC Partners. Fabian Reuter, CEO & Co-founder of FAZUA, adds: “Building a hardware tech company is a big challenge and cannot be done without the right partners. UVC Partners is not only a reliable investor at all times but above all, they are people who live entrepreneurship in the truest sense of the word.”.
For Porsche, too, this move represents a consistent push in their e-mobility strategy. 2019 saw the launch of the Taycan, the brand’s first-ever fully electric sports car. Almost 40 percent of all Porsche vehicles sold in Europe in 2021 were either plug-in hybrids or fully electric cars. Worldwide, this segment accounted for almost 25 percent. Now, the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer intends to leverage its electric expertise for the promising and fast-growing e-bike market.
About FAZUA
FAZUA, [fà]-[zuà]! – Bavarian for “Get moving!”
The German company FAZUA GmbH is specialized on products for better rides – with innovative, compact drive technologies and concepts for aesthetic, agile and light e-bikes. The brand was founded in 2013 driven by the vision to shape a new cycling culture with minimalist, intuitive products that guarantee an exceptionally natural ride – and thus promote the most sustainable form of mobility within our society. Today, more than 40 renowned brands trust the pioneering FAZUA technology. The drive systems are developed, designed, and manufactured by a young, diverse team at the headquarters in Ottobrunn near Munich.
About UVC Partners
UVC Partners is a Munich- and Berlin-based early-stage venture capital firm that invests in European B2B startups in the areas of enterprise software, industrial technologies, and mobility. The fund typically invests between € 0.5m - 10m initially and up to € 30m in total per company. Portfolio companies benefit from the extensive investment and exit experience of the management team as well as from the close cooperation with UnternehmerTUM, Europe’s leading innovation, and business creation center. With over 300 employees and more than 100 industry partners, UnternehmerTUM can draw from many years of experience in establishing young companies. This cooperation enables UVC Partners to offer startups unique access to talent, industry customers, and other financial partners.
