WheelKeep is a bicycle security, recovery, and insurance system. Their mission is to make the world a better place for cyclists. Wheelkeep is the perfect solution for people with expensive bikes who could suffer from bike theft. Unlike visible trackers or locks, WheelKeep is invisible from the outside. If the bike gets stolen, WheelKeep will bring it back thanks to their partnership with security companies. And if it isn’t recovered, their insurance partners will pay the price of the bicycle. Learn more about the benefits of WheelKeep and their live round on Leapfunder.

1. Hi Pavlo. Thank you for agreeing to do the interview. Tell us about WheelKeep and the idea that got it all started.

Hi, I’m always glad to share our story. The idea of WheelKeep was born during my first university years in Ukraine. I wanted to commute on my good bike but knew it would get stolen when I left it unattended. After trying to find some smart protection on the market I realized there was no solution I would trust with my bike. Hence, I decided to create one and gradually formed the team by inviting people with different skills who cycled with me. Later on, we realized we were solving a global problem and decided to turn it into a business. 

2. What problems are you trying to solve? What are the benefits of WheelKeep?

The biggest problem we deal with is bicycle theft (more precisely, the high risk of bicycle theft). As I studied interdisciplinary business we learned a lot about wicked problems, that you can solve only by uniting stakeholders with different and sometimes opposing interests. 

I believe bike theft is that kind of problem and it needs a comprehensive approach. This is what we’re doing. We’re uniting expensive bike owners with security companies making it much easier for police to help. We also unite them with insurance companies making risks lower for insurers and we’re going to collaborate with bike OEMs in the future to make our solution even more efficient for all parties.  

WheelKeep is unique because:

1. It’s part of the bike and is installed inside
2. It provides a service and helps to return the bike in case of theft, instead of leaving the user alone with the geolocation of the stolen bike
3. It works anywhere in the world, and it’s not dependent on the coverage of one type of communication (for example, NB IoT) or Apple devices nearby

3. You have a live round on Leapfunder. What makes it the right tool for your startup, and what do you expect from the round?

Leapfunder helps us attract angel investors which sounds simple but very important. With this platform, everything is automated, and I like the recurring Round Table Sessions and the educational content.

We expect to get the smart money needed to accelerate our growth and conquer Benelux, Germany, and other EU markets with experienced investors on board who can assist us on our journey.

4. How much growth potential do you see for WheelKeep?

More than 20,2M bicycles (including e-bikes) were sold in 2022 in the EU. Today’s “bike boom” mirrors the car revolution of the 1920s, as bicycles transformed urban transport through increased accessibility, eco-conscious infrastructure, and market innovation. As cities invest in cycling and consumers seek sustainable, health-focused mobility, the bike market is expanding rapidly. 

Although we are starting with a niche segment, we’re addressing a global issue that grows with each new bike sold: securing and insuring valuable bicycles. With rising demand for smart, integrated bike security solutions, WheelKeep is well-positioned to scale as this market matures.

5. What are your plans for the upcoming months? Tell us about your go-to-market strategy and the plan to acquire customers.

We’re preparing to launch the full-scale market and run the serial production. To get worldwide attention, accelerate our growth, and get more orders, we will arrange the Kickstarter launch in the 1st stage. 

In the 2nd stage, we will sell hardware units exclusively via wholesalers, while revenues for the software and service will come directly from end customers, via mobile app.

Thank you very much for sharing your story with us. We wish WheelKeep the best of luck!

Join our network of startups & investors!