Vancouver-based Coffee Bike has launched a crowdfunding initiative to expand its innovative mobile espresso bar concept globally.
The concept began in 2017 and it has served over a million cups of coffee in Vancouver as well as participating in more than 1,000 private and public events and festivals.
Recently, it launched its Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign.
“We’ve seen incredible success in Vancouver, and now it’s time to share our innovative mobile coffee concept with the world. The Coffee Bike Vol. 2 is more than just a product; it’s an opportunity for individuals to embark on their entrepreneurial journey in the booming mobile food industry,” said Coffee Bike’s founder Vladislav Priadko.
He said Coffee Bike is breaking new ground by offering a turnkey solution for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide. Unlike traditional franchises, Coffee Bike is committed to providing an opportunity for individuals to start their own mobile coffee business without the constraints of franchise obligations, while saving tons of time and money on the research and development stage – once someone purchases a unit, it is fully theirs, and no one controls their operations.
“The company’s mission is to build a global community of like-minded individuals passionate about the mobile food industry. In pursuit of this vision, Coffee Bike has partnered with a reputable factory to manufacture and distribute its latest model, Coffee Bike Vol. 2. To kickstart this ambitious venture, the company is seeking to fulfill a minimum order of 20 units and aspires to see thousands of these mobile coffee shops operating worldwide,” said Priadko.
After seven successful years with eight thriving Coffee Bikes in Vancouver, and empowering eight new owners across Canada, Priadko said the company has set its sights on worldwide distribution.
For US $19,850, the buyer will receive a complete mobile coffee shop – an espresso bar fully equipped with all the necessary big and small equipment and utensils for turnkey operations.
“Originally I got this idea in 2016,” said Priadko. “I was browsing the web and one of my friends guided me to this online platform which is very similar to Kickstarter – Indiegogo. There was a Sweden-based company which was pretty much introducing this mobile coffee shop concept which looks completely different from what I’ve got right now but what I did I used my savings and ordered one of those coffee carts.
“What I received at the end of the day was absolute crap. It took me roughly an extra one year and an additional 200 to 300 per cent of the initial investment to make this thing work. But the final product was so overweight I just couldn’t see any future for it.”
In 2017, he launched the cart, worked a couple of months then closed it down.
“The idea was great. I received a lot of local support in Vancouver but the application was completely wrong,” he said.
Priadko had an idea to move from a push unit to a pull bike concept. He came up with a new Coffee Bike which was launched November 2018.
Last year, the company decided to expand by building and selling the units. Last year it sold six Coffee Bikes.
“Basically, it’s an ideal business for someone who has never had business experience before. It’s a very low investment as opposed to say any other brick and mortar coffee shop,” said Priadko. “Another advantage of it is that the overhead costs are absolutely minimal.”
He said the potential is for brick and mortar coffee shops to expand their businesses as well by launching a bike service on the streets of Vancouver or elsewhere.
“It’s like a turnkey solution if someone wants to have a little pop-up coffee shop,” he added.
The heart of the bike is a commercial grade espresso machine. Most of the drinks on the menu are espresso based.
“The sky is the limit. For us for example we bought a sparkling machine last summer and we started sparkling ice drinks,” said Priadko. “There is also a bakery display on each bike so you can partner with your local bakery and just resell their products from the coffee bike as well or you can make your own production if it makes sense financially.”
The coffee machines are dual powered with propane for outdoors and electrical for inside. There’s batteries for appliances like a coffee grinder. And some solar panels are on the roof as well.
