Swedish entrepreneur develops electric bicycle for food deliveries

Elias Ek from Sweden has lived in Taiwan for 22 years. During the pandemic, he spotted a promising business opportunity. He developed an electric bike especially for food delivery workers. Along with two friends from Ireland and the U.S., he started up a business that’s taking aim at the international market.

Elias Ek from Sweden zips down the streets of Taipei on a bike. But this is not your ordinary bike. Apart from having storage racks fitted on it, it has been carefully modified to withstand a 65-kilogram load. There are also two batteries attached to the seat post to give a boost in speed.

From the style and the color to the model, every detail is carefully thought out. Not only does Ek communicate with his employees in English, he is also very fluent in Chinese.

Elias Ek
Bike brand founder
When I first arrived in Taiwan, I did not know any Chinese. Not even a single word. One can really create a very comfortable life here. Everyone here is extremely nice, so I really enjoy living here.

Ek married a Taiwanese woman when he was 27 years old, and has been here in Taiwan for 22 years. Two years ago, he realized there was a rising need for delivery services due to the pandemic. So he and two friends pooled together NT$9 million and started up a business.

Elias Ek
Bike brand founder
Sixty-three percent of the world’s bicycles are made in Taiwan, so this is the best industry to be in over here. No matter what resources or services we need, we can find it in Taiwan.

Ek is in charge of sales at the e-bike company, while his friends Philip Corri and Bob Tsai are responsible for product research and production. Within a month after launching their product, they received first-round financing of US$700,000. Sales teams from over 20 countries contacted them for collaboration.

Elias Ek
Bike brand founder
Delivery workers can make around NT$250 per hour. But if they are riding scooters, they have to pay NT$50 for gas. They have to spend 20% of their pay on their scooters. Their costs would be much lower if they used an electric bike instead.

Ek is taking aim at the international market. He also wants to promote his electric bike within Taiwan, his adopted homeland.