French electric bike startup Angell has filed for insolvency and plans to pursue judicial liquidation, marking the end of its operations after facing persistent technical issues with its products.
Co-founder and CEO Marc Simoncini announced the decision on Instagram, saying, “It’s over for Angell. A hardware problem has put an end to the adventure, despite all our efforts and the incredible work of all our employees.”
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Founded in 2019, Angell aimed to redefine urban mobility with its smart electric bikes, which featured integrated GPS, a Bluetooth-enabled touchscreen, and an anti-theft alarm system. Despite these innovations, the company struggled with product reliability. A critical flaw in the frame welding of its first-generation bikes led to safety concerns and mounting costs. Angell described the issue in an email to customers, stating, “The fragility of the bike’s frame represents a risk of breakage. We understand that it is a defect connected to the manufacturing process of the frames.”
Angell outsourced its bike manufacturing to SEB, a French industrial group, and collaborated with design firm Kickmaker. While the startup attempted to shift responsibility for the flaws to these partners, it remains financially accountable to its customers. The company faced the dilemma of either recalling up to 7,000 bikes or reimbursing affected buyers—options deemed unsustainable given its financial position.
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The insolvency leaves Angell bike owners in a difficult situation. Those with first-generation models are left with unsafe bikes, while newer bike owners face potential disruptions as Angell warns that its servers may go offline. This could impact essential features like electric assistance and smart locks, raising concerns about long-term usability.
Angell’s collapse comes amid broader challenges in the smart bike sector. Rival VanMoof filed for bankruptcy in the Netherlands in 2023 before being acquired by a new owner. Angell’s closure highlights the difficulties startups face in balancing innovation with manufacturing reliability and financial sustainability in the competitive e-bike market.