Ubco Gears up to go Global

We’re very excited to announce that we have successfully entered the US market after finalizing a combined investment deal with established US technology entrepreneurs.

Ubco CEO, Timothy Allan has been working extensively with two successful technology entrepreneurs, Bob and Ethan Ralston to determine the best approach to achieving direct US investment and creating a successful US market launch. This has resulted in the formation of a distribution company UBCO US LLC, based in Eugene, Oregon.

Father and son entrepreneurs Bob and Ethan Ralston founded, developed and successfully exited IoT company Feeney Wireless to Novotel Wireless in 2015.

Now, along with leading US expansion and acquisition company Spring Capital, the Ralstons have invested $1million USD in the Ubco and are excited by the potential of the product.

Our mission is to create the best electric motor bike brand in the US,” Ethan Ralston said.

‘We have all the elements to succeed: a strong group of US investors, and the most versatile electric motor bike out there.”

Ubco CEO, Timothy Allan says that adding two successful US technology entrepreneurs into the wider UBCO team is of equal or perhaps greater value; Bob at a UBCO board level and Ethan as a Managing Member of the US LLC.

“Having their experience and knowledge available to the company will be invaluable, and their ability to lead the US investment deal has already proven to be a success,” Allan said.

While there has been a strong focus on the US, Deion Campbell, Chairman of the board, believes this will help establish the brand in other leading markets.

Securing entry into the US market is a real highlight for Ubco and secures us a profile that we will leverage off in other significant international markets,” Campbell said.

The Ubco Series A funding round has raised $2.5m NZD from NZ and AU investors and in conjunction with the US investment of $1.45m NZD takes the total investment in the existing round to $3.95m NZD.

We’ve also achieved a boost in Australia, officially signing Daviesway as our dedicated rural distributor. With 35 fulltime sales staff on the road, this agreement will help drive our brand recognition and uptake in the rural market and will build on the past nine months of work completed by our team.

Daviesway CEO, John Davies explains, “Ubco is a great fit for Daviesway. Being the first electric farm bike, they have a lot to offer the Australian market, and we’re glad to be involved.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the Ubco 2×2 help farmers reach their peak potential,” Davies said.

The product behind this global strategy, the Ubco 2×2, is designed in New Zealand and utilizes advances in electric motor design and battery technology to deliver a whisper quiet, connected utility vehicle that embraces portable energy.

After its launch at Fieldays in 2014, where it won an innovation award that set it on the path to international success, the company has received enthusiastic reviews from magazines and influencers including Uncrate, Yahoo, 3News, NZ herald and Canada Moto Guide.

The concept has captured the imagination of a variety of users, with a diverse range of applications, including hunting, recreation, horticulture, agriculture, conservation and tourism.

The combination of a lightweight frame, powerful and near silent motors, and a state-of-the-art Lithium-Ion battery that not only fuels the bike, but charges tools on the go, means that the Ubco 2×2 has more than filled the brief of replacing the common farm bike,” Allan said.

MORE RECENT POSTS