In today’s episode, Taco Carlier, CEO of Vanmoof joins Oliver to talk aboutbuilding beautiful e-bikes, the role of design and how to get the nextbillion people on bikes in our cities across the world. It’s a greatdiscussion with someone who’s been in the space for a long time (Vanmoofwas founded 10 years ago!). Taco is also the first Dutch guest we have had,and so we also dig into Amsterdam and it’s transport system.Specifically, we dig into:- Vanmoof’s story from the early stages through to today, including howbeing based in Amsterdam influenced the company.- The company's mission 'to build the next billion bikes' - how does thispermeate the company and what they choose to focus on.- We run through their business operations - the design/sales/ops inAmsterdam, manufacturing in Taiwan, where they have their company storesand metrics from their business.- The move Vanmoof have made into micromobility/electrified and the lessonslearnt there from a product/hardware experience.- We unpack how customers are using the vehicles, including this quote:"Normal bike commuters travel an average of 3km to work, but with an e-bikethat figure jumps to 20km. It opens up biking to a much wider demographicof city-dwellers, creating an enormous new opportunity. Almost 70% ofpeople who purchased the S2 & X2 are now using the Electrified as theirprimary mode of transport."- Taco’s design inspirations, why they only have two bike types, and who heconsidered competition.- How they protect themselves from the traditional ‘red ocean’ dynamics ofthe Bike hardware industry, with it’s low margins and barriers to entry. Weexplore what are the things that have kept them out of that trap.- We discuss the subscription model, and the postponed launch of theupcoming electric models on that business model, including why and how isit higher margin and what they think about the 'job to be done' in thisbusiness model?- We unpack the primary barriers to adoption of higher end e-bikes and whythat underpinned their ‘Bike Hunters’ model.- Their experience with fundraising - why they chose to go for acrowdfunded round in the last raise, who they look to for funding, and whythey’ve pursued a hybrid financing model.It’s a great interview!Show notes:- Vanmoof.com- The Vanmoof Youtube Channel (including the ‘Bike Hunters in Morocco���video)- The story of David, the guy who bought a Vanmoof bike off the top of thecar in the car dealership.