Ward Grootjans, managing director of Get Bike Service tells: 

"We service everything from bicycles to electric cars. With a focus on what a bicycle mechanic can't do, but a car garage can't do either. Think delivery bikes, but also cargo bikes and light electric vehicles (LEVs). Basically everything you see driving around town delivering packages." 

Companies are increasingly using electric vehicles

"Our service is a response to the strong growth in e-mobility in recent years. Many consumers have had e-bikes for a long time, but in business services we are now also seeing more and more electric vehicles. Especially in the inner city. For the delivery of packages, meals and at companies using 'shared bicycle concepts'."

We can all fix a tire

This strong growth is leading to an increasing demand to service all these vehicles, Ward says. "Something the traditional bike store can't solve. Because we can all fix a tire, but what do you do if your LEV doesn't work? Or your e-bike stutters? And your customer on the other side of town is anxiously waiting for your delivery?" 

"The corona crisis is driving strong growth in online orders and deliveries.  This has a positive impact on our business activities."  

Ward saw a niche in the market ...

"We have both mobile and fixed service points. This means that the customer always has a quick solution at hand. Quality is very important to us. We have well-trained technical staff, strong processes and a clear focus." Combined with the increasing market demand - further strengthened by the growth in online orders and deliveries due to the corona crisis - this led to an extremely fast growth of Get Bike Service in 2019. A growth in which LIOF is strongly involved as an investor.

... and knocked on the door of LIOF

Ward: "Since my youth my mother has always spoken highly of LIOF and its objectives. At the time she worked at Maastricht University. That's why I visited LIOF a few years ago with my first idea. That was immediately shot down," Ward adds with a smile, "but with this idea everyone was immediately very enthusiastic. .

Sjoerd Geerling, Investment Manager at LIOF: "We have been involved in Get Bike Service as a minority shareholder from its inception in 2018. And we have supported the company in the different life phases. From founding to the next growth step, or from start-up to scale-up. We are proud of the growth shown by Ward and his team. With their knowledge and expertise they make an important contribution to sustainable mobility and innovative entrepreneurship in Limburg. Together we look forward to the future with confidence. Also, or especially now, in coronation times."

"For us, LIOF is not simple money but smart money"

More of a blessing than a burden

Ward: "Together with Sjoerd Geerling, our case manager at LIOF, we look very actively at the market and the development of Get Bike Service. LIOF helps us with its critical view on our business case and with the financing. As an entrepreneur that is a blessing and a burden at the same time. Do you have LIOF as an investor? Then the market has more confidence in your company. You notice that. At the same time, LIOF doesn't just give money. It wants to know what you are doing with it and it watches you critically. You notice that too. But it does mean that you are also critical and make more conscious choices. For us LIOF is not simple money but smart money.

Focus on one thing and do it well

Has Ward got a tip for other entrepreneurs? "Believe firmly in your concept, even if the rest of the market thinks you're wrong. But, do adapt to the dynamics in the market. We have completely adjusted our business plan after our experiences in the first year. Also, think carefully: do you want to compete in a large market? Or do you want to become the market leader in a fast growing niche? We chose the latter.