eROCKIT

Interview partner: Andreas Zurwehme (Managing Director)

Why did you found your startup, what problem are you addressing and how do you solve it?

I've suffered from asthma all my life, I know what it's like to live with too little power to breathe! A decade ago I was in China and the smog was so bad that I was unable to see the sky. I realized that one day I would like to work in an industry that makes our world better, cleaner and more sustainable... So the idea for a kind of e-mobility product was born in my head.

How did you come up with the idea of founding eROCKIT?

I had the chance to buy all the rights to the concept of eROCKIT, I talked to two partners and founded the company. What we are addressing is the need for a vehicle that is fun and an asset, not a sacrifice, and gets you through our crowded traffic environment with zero emissions and without too much congestion delay. The eROCKIT as a smart, agile, fast and super fun two-wheeler with a range of 120 km seemed like the perfect solution!

What is special about your business model, what do you do differently?

At eROCKIT, we put people back at the center of mobility. The interface between man and machine (PEDALS!) is the key. That's why we call it Human Hybrid. The constant need to pedal connects the driver with the vehicle in a fascinating way. Try it out!

What were the biggest challenges you had to overcome at the beginning?

I've started other companies before, so that wasn't the challenge at all. The challenge was to build a top team of two-wheel experts with the right motivation and attitude to convert the existing products from combustion engines to zero-emission riding fun. The eROCKIT is certainly one of them.

What was the most valuable piece of advice someone gave you during your start-up phase?

I can't remember this one specific piece of advice during the start-up phase, but I can tell you that Arnold Schwarzenegger once told me, never think about a plan B, always focus on your plan A, because if you focus on a plan B, you lose your absolute focus on your plan A. So I did!

What has been your biggest success so far?

At the moment we are really a small team - not even 15 people, but our product is already in the news worldwide. The brand new eROCKIT is making its way and conquering the world of new e-mobility. There is no doubt about that.

What are your milestones?

As production has already started, we want to start real mass production and expand to European two-wheeler countries such as France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and others as soon as possible. I always think internationally - I can never think of just one continent.

Why are you at Startbase?

The idea of connecting companies and their innovations is very appealing to us. Startbase enriches every founder in every industry.

Who is the mastermind in your team and what is their superpower?

We don't just have one mastermind, we are "the Borg", our collective thinking is the key to our success.

10. where do you see your startup in 3 years?

In 3 years, I am very sure that we will be producing units in the 4-digit range per year and that the eROCKIT will have started to have a global presence.

Managing Director Andreas Zurwehme with Berlin's Governing Mayor Michael Müller