PE Tech Report

NEWSLETTER

Like this article?

Sign up to our free newsletter

HumanForest raises GBP2.3m, trippling valuation to GBP32m

HumanForest, a truly sustainable micro-mobility platform, has raised GBP2.3 million at the close of its pre-series A funding round.

The company, founded by former-Cabify lead Agustin Guilisasti and backed by Cabify founders Juan de Antonio and Vicente Pascual, has announced the funding ahead of its launch in London this September. 

HumanForest e-bikes operate a unique advertising-led revenue model, whereby consumers receive an advert from partners before and after using a HumanForest e-bike. This allows customers to ride for free for 10 minutes each day and costs GBP0.15 per minute thereafter. It is the first micro-mobility company to develop this innovative business model, which connects users with associated partners in a sustainable way, with the technological architecture created in-house. 

HumanForest operates with zero emissions and estimates that its e-bikes will facilitate up to 7,000 rides and avoid almost 4 tonnes of CO2 from being emitted into London’s air every day. During last year’s trial, the company grew its number of users by 48 per cent each week and avoided 10 tonnes of CO2. 

The company will announce a number of partnerships with high profile brands that align with its sustainable values over the coming weeks ahead of the launch. Corporate partners last year included the Financial Times and Whole Foods Market.  

The HumanForest Board includes Vicente Pascual, Stefan Tilk (Vice Chairman and Group CEO of NEVS AB, the Swedish electric car manufacturer), Ignacio Gutierrez (Head of Latin America at Cabify), Agustin Guilisasti (Founder and CEO) and Caroline Seton (Co-Founder and Head of Growth).   

HumanForest is headquartered in London and since its inception in 2019 has raised GBP4.5 million. Everyone who works at HumanForest owns part of the company and is employed directly by the startup which has its own warehouses to charge batteries and repair its e-bikes. 

Agustin Guilisasti, Founder & CEO at HumanForest, says: “Securing this latest round of funding is another exciting milestone for us. We look forward to returning the show of faith from our investors with a successful launch and rapid customer acquisition. We are expecting to reach positive EBITDA after three months of truly green operations. 

Global shared transport, including micro-mobility, will outgrow ride hailing by 2030 and the sector is expected to grow from USD7.8 billion to USD480 billion. That is not surprising considering that over the past year, there has been an uptake in cycling as people seek sustainable and healthy transport options. London has a low ratio of shared vehicles compared to other global cities and with the capital opening up again, this is the perfect time for us to launch our e-bikes. ”

Caroline Seton, Co-founder & Head of Growth at HumanForest, says: “This is an exciting moment in our growth story and, with this support, we are confident that we can become the largest and most popular operator in London. 

Recent data found that mixed gender founder teams are less likely to receive funding than all male founders: for every GBP1 of VC investment in the UK, mixed gender teams only receive 10p. However, our diverse team, unique business model and innovative technology have been rewarded by investors and this is just the first step in our plans for global expansion. We can’t wait for Londoners to use our e-bikes as the most affordable mobility option, to improve their health and wellbeing, and to protect the planet.” 
 

Like this article? Sign up to our free newsletter

MOST POPULAR

FURTHER READING

Featured