AMSTERDAM (BRAIN) — Fundracer, the micro-mobility investment fund founded by several cycling industry veterans, is investing in a Belgian company that is developing safety airbags for cyclists.
Fundracer's founding principals are René Wiertz, Gérard Vroomen and Andy Ording. The group recently was part of a $8 million re-investment in the Finnish tire manufacturer reTyre.
Its latest investment is in Aerobag, which aims to adapt automotive airbag technology for cycling, with applications potentially including professional racers.
"Thanks to recent advances in artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, and miniaturized hardware, that ambition has now become reality. Aerobag has developed an airbag system that is small, ultra-light, and fast enough to provide meaningful protection for cyclists—without compromising performance or comfort," the company said in a release Tuesday.
Wiertz told BRAIN that Fundracer is taking a minority stake in Aerobag, it's usual practice.
"We are not able to disclose the exact amount we invested, but it is a significant investment, which will allow the company to sign collaboration agreements with clothing manufacturers and to bring the final product to market within the next 12 months," wiertz told BRAIN. "Initial shipments in Q2 will go to professional cycling teams, starting Q3, Aerobag will be able to ship to end consumers. The ultimate goal is to enhance the safety of all cyclists, starting with the pros then the amateur riders, then all the way to commuters."
The company said AI allows the system to accurately recognize crash scenarios in real time.
Quinton van Loggerenberg, the co-founder andh of business development at Aerobag, added, "Our discussions with Fundracer started almost a year ago, and since then we've been working closely together to help bring Aerobag to market. The team's support, experience, and hands-on involvement have been instrumental in accelerating our progress and sharpening our go-to-market approach. I'm very much looking forward to continuing this collaboration with Fundracer as we scale the technology and bring a new level of safety to cyclists worldwide."
Fundracer's Vroomen, a co-founder of Cervelo, said the latest investment fits the fund's strategy. "Safety is one of the key focus areas for Fundracer, and Aerobag represents a major step forward for the cycling industry. I've worked many years with professional cycling teams and founded the Cervélo TestTeam, so I know from the inside how critical better rider protection really is for professionals as too many races are spoiled by crashes and resulting injuries.
"But the everyday rider can benefit just as much, avoiding or reducing the odds of injury while they ride their bike," Vroomen said.
Related: Velo editor Andrew Hood examines the Aerobag technology.
