Civilized Cycles Secures Investment from Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund to Accelerate Commercial Cargo Semi-Trike Growth
Civilized Cycles has secured a $100,000 investment from the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund (MOIF) to boost the growth of their commercial cargo Semi-Trike. This funding will expand their sales team and cover trial unit production costs, enabling them to bring their innovative electric vehicle to more businesses seeking sustainable last-mile delivery solutions.
DETROIT, MI – March 24, 2025 – Civilized Cycles, an innovative electric vehicle company, today announced a $100,000 investment from the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund (MOIF). This funding will be instrumental in expanding Civilized Cycles' sales team to accelerate customer acquisition and support for their commercial cargo Semi-Trike, as well as covering the raw materials and manufacturing costs associated with the construction of trial units.
Civilized Cycles is revolutionizing urban commercial delivery and transportation with its unique electric cargo Semi-Trike. Designed for businesses, the Semi-Trike offers a sustainable and efficient solution for last-mile delivery and logistical needs, featuring a patented automatic load-leveling suspension system for enhanced stability and cargo management. Beyond its commercial applications, the Semi-Trike's robust design and environmental benefits open up possibilities for supporting various activities within the outdoor sector, from eco-tourism and adventure travel gear transport to assisting with campground operations and improving accessibility in natural environments. The Semi-Trike's capabilities have been utilized in partnership with Grounded RVs, another MOIF portfolio company, to develop an all-electric trailer and trike system, further demonstrating its versatility.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund," said Marc Liu, Co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Civilized Cycles. "This investment will be crucial in scaling our commercial operations and introducing our innovative Semi-Trike to a wider business audience. We also recognize the significant potential for our vehicle to contribute to the outdoor industry by offering a sustainable and efficient way to transport gear, support operations, and enhance accessibility, as demonstrated by our collaboration with Grounded RVs."
The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund is dedicated to supporting early-stage, high-growth, Michigan-based startups that increase the enjoyment, accessibility, or sustainability of the outdoor industry. This investment in Civilized Cycles highlights MOIF's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth within the state, particularly in sustainable transportation solutions that can have broad applications in both commercial and recreational settings.
"Civilized Cycles' commercial cargo Semi-Trike presents a compelling solution for businesses seeking efficient and environmentally friendly transportation options," said Jim Tenzillo, Managing Director of MOIF. "We believe their innovative design and focus on the commercial market position them for significant growth, and we are excited to support their journey."
This investment will enable Civilized Cycles to accelerate the adoption of their commercial cargo Semi-Trike, providing businesses with a reliable and sustainable alternative for their transportation and delivery needs, and opening doors for expansion in other sectors.
About Civilized Cycles
Civilized Cycles is a Detroit-based electric vehicle company focused on developing innovative and user-friendly solutions for urban transportation and commercial applications. Their flagship commercial cargo Semi-Trike features a patented automatic load-leveling suspension system, providing a stable and efficient platform for businesses requiring last-mile delivery and cargo transport. Civilized Cycles is committed to promoting sustainable transportation and exploring diverse applications for their technology.
About Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund
The Michigan Outdoor Innovation Fund (MOIF) is an early-stage venture fund focused on supporting Michigan-based businesses developing innovative products that increase the enjoyment, sustainability or accessibility to the outdoor industry. MOIF aims to foster entrepreneurship, drive economic growth, and position Michigan as a leader in innovation within these sectors.
Lime and Civilized Cycles Launch Electric Semi-Trike Pilot in Detroit
Lime is partnering with Detroit-based Civilized Cycles to pilot a new electric Semi-Trike for its scooter operations. This innovative vehicle, with the cargo capacity of a van but a fraction of the operating cost, will be used to deploy, rebalance, and conduct battery swaps for Lime's e-scooters.
This partnership, supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigan Central, and Newlab, addresses the significant growth in Lime's ridership, which has increased by 200% this year. The Semi-Trike aligns with Lime's commitment to sustainability, replacing a traditional gas-powered van and reducing emissions.
"We're thrilled to join forces with Lime to showcase the Semi-Trike's potential for transforming cargo transportation and positively impacting our city," says Marc Liu, co-founder of Civilized Cycles.
The pilot program runs from October until the close of Lime's 2024 season.
Read the full article here.
Civilized Cycles Awarded Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility Mobility Prototyping Grant
Civilized Cycles Awarded Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility Mobility Prototyping Grant
Southfield, MI – October 2, 2024 – Civilized Cargo, a Detroit-based company developing versatile cargo solutions for electric bikes and other light electric vehicles (LEVs), is pleased to announce it has been awarded a grant through the Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant Program.
This initiative, launched by the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) in partnership with Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University, provides funding and technical assistance to accelerate the development of innovative mobility and electrification technologies.
The grant will support Civilized Cargo in its efforts to enhance vehicle durability and validate the performance of its Semi-Trike cargo system with select components. This will contribute to the company's goal of offering reliable and efficient cargo solutions for the growing electric bike market.
"We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant Program," said Marc Liu, Chief Revenue Officer at Civilized Cycles. "This funding will be instrumental in advancing the development of our cargo solutions and ensuring they meet the demands of commercial fleet operators."
The Michigan Mobility Prototyping Grant Program awarded a total of $813,000 to 17 companies across the state. This program highlights Michigan's commitment to fostering innovation and strengthening its leadership in the mobility and electrification sectors. For more details, click here.
Civilized Cycles Secures Funding from State of Michigan for Innovative Mobility Solution
Civilized Cycles Secures Funding from State of Michigan for Innovative Mobility Solution
Detroit, MI - March 22, 2024 - Civilized Cycles is thrilled to announce its recent funding award of $200,000 through a Real World Deployment Grant from the State of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME). This grant, part of the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP), will facilitate the implementation of Civilized Cycles’ transformative Semi-Trikes.
The MMFP serves as a catalyst for companies seeking to deploy cutting-edge mobility and transportation solutions in Michigan, leveraging Michigan’s automotive heritage and vast mobility technology ecosystem.
With this grant support, Civilized Cycles will launch a pioneering pilot program in Detroit during the spring of 2024. This initiative will see the deployment of Semi-Trikes, heavy-duty electric cargo bikes designed to transport loads of up to 750 pounds. The pilot program, in collaboration with esteemed partners including Lime, MoGo Detroit and Midtown Composting, will help revolutionize the movement of goods within the Detroit Metro area.
The primary objective of the pilot program is to assess the performance of Semi-Trikes in real-world conditions, evaluating both product efficacy and logistical viability. Insights garnered from the pilot will be instrumental in refining and enhancing the design of the Semi-Trikes for their eventual full-scale commercial production.
"We are honored to receive the Real World Deployment Grant from the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, which reaffirms our commitment to pioneering sustainable mobility solutions," said Marc Liu, co-founder of Civilized Cycles. "This grant will enable us to showcase the transformative potential of Semi-Trikes in addressing urban mobility challenges, and we are excited to collaborate with our partners to drive positive change within the Detroit community."
"This is yet another example of our commitment to advancing the future of mobility innovation by building the future of micromobility right here in Michigan,” said Justine Johnson, the state’s Chief Mobility Officer and head of the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. "Through innovative investments we are creating a cleaner, greener future for Michiganders."
Civilized Cycles looks forward to leveraging this opportunity to propel its mission of revolutionizing urban mobility and contributing to the advancement of sustainable transportation solutions.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Marc Liu
Co-Founder
Civilized Cycles