Cowboy

Cowboy

Direct-to-consumer connected electric bikes and services

Overview

Cowboy designs and sells connected electric bikes for urban commuters. They use a direct-to-consumer online model complemented by test-ride locations, service centers, and a subscription-based Cowboy Care for maintenance, insurance, and accessories. The bikes have a lightweight frame with a removable battery, a carbon belt drive, integrated lights, and a mobile app that provides a secure digital key, GPS theft protection, ride data, and route navigation, plus AdaptivePower that adjusts motor output automatically. They stand out through their design language, modular hardware, and social/environmental focus (B Corp certification in 2022), while controlling branding and customer experience via direct sales and retail presence, with a goal to make e-bikes a mainstream transport option.

About Cowboy

Simplify's Rating
Why Cowboy is rated
C+
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Automotive & Transportation

Hardware

Industrial & Manufacturing

Consumer Software

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Acquired

Total Funding

$147.1M

Headquarters

City of Brussels, Belgium

Founded

2017

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • ReBirth completed Cowboy's acquisition on 2025-12-18 and injected €15 million.
  • Cowboy planned 1,500 January 2026 bikes to clear backlog and restart deliveries.
  • July 2026 support updates said most C4 orders shipped and UK centers open soon.

What critics are saying

  • Cowboy lost €21 million in 2024, with €56 million debt and negative equity.
  • Adrien Roose left in December 2025; Tanguy Goretti stepped back in January 2026.
  • Persistent service backlogs and recall execution can still destroy the brand by 2027.

What makes Cowboy unique

  • Cowboy's connected-bike software, including crash detection and live games, differentiates its hardware.
  • Brussels design and software teams remain independent under ReBirth, preserving product identity.
  • ReBirth's Peugeot, Gitane, and Solex network gives Cowboy retail and service reach.

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Funding

Total Funding

$147.1M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

12 Rounds

Notable Investors:
Acquisition funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Acquisition Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

1%

1 year growth

-1%

2 year growth

2%
Daily Education
Dec 20th, 2025
Cowboy saddles up with a new owner

Another independent rides off into the sunset. | Image: Cowboy The Brussels-based electric bike company has officially closed its deal to be acquired by ReBirth Group Holding, which also owns...

De Tijd
Dec 18th, 2025
Cowboy acquired by French industrial group ReBirth, CEO Adrien Roose departs

Brussels-based e-bike manufacturer Cowboy has been acquired by French industrial group ReBirth. The takeover marks the departure of Cowboy's chief executive officer and co-founder Adrien Roose from the company. No financial details of the transaction have been disclosed.

The Verge
Dec 18th, 2025
Cowboy e-bikes acquired by ReBirth for €15M to restart production after near-bankruptcy

Brussels-based electric bike company Cowboy has been acquired by ReBirth Group Holding, which owns cycling brands Peugeot, Gitane and Solex. The deal includes undisclosed funding from ReBirth and €15 million from existing shareholders. The funding will restart production and address a backlog of spare parts. ReBirth is the parent of Re-cycles, the French manufacturer that took over Cowboy's e-bike assembly operations earlier this year. Cowboy faced significant challenges in 2025, including delayed deliveries and repairs, and a costly frame recall that brought the company close to bankruptcy. The company's design, engineering and software teams will continue operating independently from Brussels, though founder and chief executive Adrien Roose has departed.

The Bulletin
Oct 5th, 2025
Cowboy saved by €15M Rebirth takeover

Brussels-based e-bike company Cowboy was saved from bankruptcy by a takeover from French e-mobility firm Rebirth, which invested €15 million and acquired an 80% stake. Rebirth plans to cut costs and expand Cowboy's retail presence. Cowboy is projected to lose €8-10 million this year with a turnover of €20-22 million, aiming to break even by 2027 with €40 million turnover. Original investors lost most of their investment, retaining only 20% of the company.

De Tijd
Sep 25th, 2025
ReBirth acquires Cowboy for €15M investment

French conglomerate ReBirth is acquiring the struggling Brussels-based e-bike brand Cowboy. ReBirth is investing €15 million in the rescue, securing an 80% stake in Cowboy.

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