NOVUS Secures a Double-Digit Million Amount for Expansion in Europe and the U.S.

The Braunschweig-based mobility startup NOVUS has raised a double-digit million amount in U.S. dollars in a funding round led by 468 Capital. The more than 30 investors include former executives from Tesla, Lucid Motors, and On, as well as founders and managers from the automotive, technology, and consumer goods industries. The company already has an electric light motorcycle, the NOVUS One, in series production and has been delivering vehicles to European customers since spring 2026. The fresh capital will be used to finance the company’s entry into the U.S. market, its expansion within Europe, and the development of a more affordable second model.

468 Capital Leads Funding Round

NOVUS has closed a new funding round, the volume of which, according to the company, is in the double-digit millions of dollars. The venture capital firm 468 Capital, with offices in Berlin and San Francisco, is participating as the lead investor. The exact funding amount and the company’s valuation were not disclosed. In addition to 468 Capital, other investors from the technology, automotive, and consumer goods sectors are participating. In total, the Braunschweig-based company’s shareholder base now includes more than 30 investors. Among them are former executives from international automakers, entrepreneurs from the consumer goods sector, venture capital investors, and several family offices. With this funding round, NOVUS aims to accelerate the transition from the early production phase to broader international marketing.

NOVUS One combines the features of an e-bike, a scooter, and a motorcycle

The company’s first product is the NOVUS One, an electrically powered light bike designed for urban traffic. The vehicle is designed to combine the ease of use of an e-bike with the compact design of a scooter and the handling characteristics of a motorcycle. NOVUS focuses on a lightweight vehicle architecture and operation that is as straightforward as possible. The NOVUS One does not require a manual clutch or gearshift. According to the manufacturer, even people with no experience riding two-wheelers can quickly become familiar with the controls. The company is thus specifically positioning the vehicle as an alternative to cars for everyday urban use. The focus is on short and medium-distance trips within cities, where conventional cars often take up a comparatively large amount of space. NOVUS aims to attract people who have primarily relied on cars for transportation to switch to electric two-wheelers. The latest financial announcement does not include specific details on the retail price, range, top speed, or technical performance specifications.

Mass production has been underway since spring 2026

Unlike many mobility startups in the early stages of development, NOVUS has already begun delivering its first vehicle. According to the company, the NOVUS One is in series production. The first series deliveries in Europe began in spring 2026. Vehicles are now in use by customers in several European countries. The company did not disclose how many units have been produced or delivered to date. Revenue figures and details on current production capacity have also not been released. The new capital is intended to expand production and sales activities. The expansion will initially focus on major European cities where NOVUS anticipates demand for compact, electric vehicles.

Market Entry in the U.S. Planned for 2027

A significant portion of the funding is earmarked for international expansion. NOVUS plans to offer its vehicles in the U.S. starting in 2027. At the same time, the company intends to expand its presence in major European cities. The company explicitly views its target audience as extending beyond the existing motorcycle and two-wheeler market. NOVUS cites more than 400 million drivers in Europe and North America as the potential total market for its mobility platform. However, this figure represents a broad potential user group rather than concrete demand for the company’s vehicles. A central component of the market strategy is access via existing driver’s licenses. According to NOVUS, the entry-level model can be driven with a standard driver’s license in certain configurations and markets. However, the specific type of driver’s license required depends on the vehicle class and the respective national or regional regulations. Particularly with regard to the planned market entry in the U.S., differing regulations across individual states are likely to play a role.

The more affordable NOVUS Two is set to go into production in late 2027

In addition to its geographic expansion, NOVUS is working on a second vehicle model. The NOVUS Two is intended to make the existing light bike category accessible to a broader customer base. The plan is to offer a lower starting price than that of the current NOVUS One. According to the company, production is scheduled to begin in late 2027. Further technical details, specific prices, or planned production volumes have not yet been disclosed. In the long term, NOVUS aims to develop a shared mobility platform that can serve as the basis for both two- and four-wheeled urban vehicles. The vehicles are to be built on a standardized lightweight architecture and a common technological foundation. In addition, the company is exploring software-based features and potential AI applications. This includes the concept of vehicles that adapt to individual driving habits and can assist drivers based on the situation. However, the announcement does not provide specific details on the development status of such AI features.

Former Executives from Tesla, Lucid, and On Invest

Among the new and existing investors is Eric Bach, who previously served as Chief Engineer at Lucid Motors and as Director of Engineering at Tesla. According to the company, Bach is not only investing financially but is also supporting NOVUS as a board advisor in vehicle development. Also on board is Martin Hoffmann, who served as CFO and Co-CEO at the Swiss sporting goods manufacturer On, among other roles, and oversaw the company’s initial public offering. According to NOVUS, other shareholders come from the circles of Adidas, Audi, BMW, Chrono24, FINN, Grover, Mercedes-AMG, New Balance, Vay, and Xiaomi. Race car driver Sophia Flörsch is also part of the investor group. The companies mentioned are not automatically investors themselves. NOVUS explicitly refers to founders and executives from their respective circles. For the startup, this network is intended to provide not only capital but, in particular, expertise in building international brands, vehicle development, and scaling businesses.

Volkswagen Designer Founded NOVUS

Founder and CEO René Renger previously served as lead designer at Volkswagen, where he worked on projects related to the Golf and the ID. Buzz, among others. His experience in automotive design is being incorporated into the development of NOVUS vehicles. Renger’s goal is to establish electric city vehicles as standalone mobility products. The leadership team also includes Hannes A. H. Krieger, CSO and founding member of NOVUS. The company combines vehicle development with a brand strategy based on the principles of successful consumer goods and technology companies. The funding round is now intended to lay the groundwork for extending this positioning to larger international markets. With the ongoing series production of the NOVUS One, the startup has reached an important milestone in its development. The next challenges lie in scaling up production, establishing international sales structures, and launching the more affordable NOVUS Two.