Cake – re-thinking motorbikes with zero-emission

Interview with Stefan Ytterborn, Founder and CEO of Cake. Cake is the second time around scaling up a consumer product for Stefan Ytterborn, a full blood entrepreneur who challengers markets with his fresh design and re-thinking.

”After having scaled up POC and then sold it, I knew I had to take a next step, I just did not know which one. I have never been interested in motorbikes which I think was an advantage. When I found an electric motorbike at an exhibition, I just knew that I had to change this market. As I didn’t have any pre-conceived notions on what a motorbike must be, we re-designed what it is – and created something entirely new, fit for electricity, says Stefan Ytterborn, who actually sounds a bit surprised that it is all moving so fast.

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This year, Cake sales are up to 3 000 bikes, prognosis is 9 000 by next year. The company already employs 140 people. The vision is fast, light and clean motorbike transport. Cake does not only provide cleaner races but has everything for the modern city transport, whether it is for food delivery, or a delivery or private transportation to work. Following the modular bike ÖSA for professional use with its smart applications for last-mile delivery, now comes Makka. Launched in Berlin, this is a mass market version which does not require the same weight and precision, made for simple home to work transport. First batch of Makkas is already sold out.

”When starting a new business and sketching the numbers on paper it feels a bit abstract, almost impossible to grasp. I had a passion and a vision. After having grown fast for a while, I now see that the change towards zero emissions is happening faster than I could have ever imagined. We are in a huge shift right now” says Stefan.

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That Stefan Ytterborn’s next brand Cake was to be a sustainable brand was no coincidence. Stefan early felt that something has to be done. When you have taken the sustainable pathway, the trick is to never be satisfied with where you are. There are always more things to change. Cake moves further than zero emissions. All parts of the cycle are for example possible to disassemble and recycle, and the company is constantly developing its operation towards less impact on the planet.

The motorcycle series Kalk travels the world with races. Cake is collaborating with Southern African Wildlife College to supply anti-poaching patrollers with silent, solar powered dirt bikes to more efficiently chase poachers who threaten endangered species.

Last year, Cake closed its B round with anchor investor AMF Pension funds. As Cake sales are spread over the world, it makes no sense to ship bikes all over the world. The capital will be used to establish three assembly lines, one south of Stockholm, one in USA and the third in Taichung in Asia. Pieces are shipped instead of bikes, having a smaller impact on the climate. C-round or IPO is the plan for 2024. Another step is to expand the sales and marketing organisation. Cake has opened a showroom in Los Angeles and a new team is established in London. In 2025 Cake will be present in 25 markets.

Never contemplate about the complexity of a challenge or a process, beforehand.

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Are there any more fields to electrify? Stefan mentions countryside quad bikes that still look like something from a manga series from the 1980’s. There are apparently always new challenges ahead for this entrepreneur.

Stefan Ytterborn

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38 years/founder & CEO 7 comp's
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Never contemplate about the complexity of a challenge or a process, beforehand.