Undisclosed · Other round · Transportation · Braunschweig, Germany
NOVUS, the Braunschweig company building a lightweight electric motorcycle for urban travel, has raised an undisclosed, double-digit million-dollar funding round led by 468 Capital. The company says the capital will support wider European distribution, development of a lower-priced second model and a planned U.S. launch beginning in California in late 2027.
Moving from a premium first model to a broader range
The NOVUS One combines the straightforward controls of an e-bike with motorcycle-level performance. Its self-supporting carbon frame houses the battery, while a hub-mounted motor removes the clutch, gears and chain found on a conventional motorcycle. NOVUS describes the vehicle as a handcrafted, limited-edition electric motorcycle; the Founders Edition starts at €21,300 excluding tax.
That price and positioning make the first model a useful manufacturing and demand test rather than a mass-market product. NOVUS began delivering vehicles to customers in Germany and Spain in spring 2026 and is deliberately producing in smaller volumes, according to Tech.eu’s interviews with its founders. The company can use those early deliveries to refine assembly, servicing and the buying experience before committing to higher output.
The next model changes that equation. A lower entry price can widen demand, but it also requires NOVUS to carry more inventory, build distribution and maintain service quality across more markets. The commercial test is therefore whether lessons from a high-margin, limited first run can be translated into a repeatable product without losing the design identity that supports the premium price.
Expansion adds distribution to the manufacturing challenge
NOVUS plans further deliveries in the UK, France and Italy, followed by a California launch. It also expects to work with retail partners in major cities so prospective customers can see and test the vehicle, while selling directly where no partner is available. That hybrid route brings local reach but adds coordination across sales, delivery and after-sales support.
The company has assembled more than 30 investors from automotive, technology and consumer businesses. NOVUS says the group includes Eric Bach, a former Tesla engineering director and Lucid Motors chief engineer, and Martin Hoffmann, the former CFO and co-CEO of On. For a young vehicle manufacturer, that network matters most if its operating experience helps the company industrialise production and build a retail footprint rather than simply broadening the cap table.
