Recurrent partnered with BikeFlip to support their innovative circular economy model for children's bicycles. We currently serve in the Board of Advisors of this start-up. BikeFlip's unique approach addresses several key issues:

The Problem:

• 3.8 million unused bikes sitting in sheds across the Netherlands

• Children outgrow their bikes approximately every 1.5 years

• 1 million new bikes purchased annually, leading to resource depletion and environmental impact

BikeFlip's Circular Solution:

1. Subscription Model:

   • Parents subscribe to a bike service instead of purchasing

   • Starts from just €3 per month, with no upfront costs

   • Monthly cancellation option for flexibility

2. Upcycling Process:

   • Rescues and refurbishes discarded children's bikes

   • Upgrades bikes to factory quality or better

   • Has upcycled over 5,000 bikes and counting

3. Growth and Exchange Program:

   • As children grow, bikes can be easily exchanged for larger sizes

   • Each exchange is treated as a celebration, making it exciting for kids

4. Social Impact:

   • Provides job opportunities for people distanced from the labor market

   • Collaborates with municipalities to offer bikes to refugees and financially vulnerable families

5. Environmental Benefits:

   • Saves approximately 96 kg of CO2 per refurbished bike

   • Reduces demand for new bike production and associated resource consumption

Recurrent's work with BikeFlip focused on refining this circular model, developing scalable infrastructure, and creating growth (marketing) strategies to expand the service beyond Utrecht to cities like Amsterdam, Almere, and Rotterdam.

This innovative approach not only provides an affordable and convenient solution for parents but also contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including responsible consumption and production, climate action, and reduced inequalities.

By supporting BikeFlip, Recurrent demonstrates its commitment to helping businesses that combine subscription models with strong sustainability and social impact goals.