A new addition to the Laka family

Today, we're delighted to announce that Laka has acquired the bike insurance business of VeloLife - a UK specialist cycle insurer distributed exclusively through a network of more than 100 independent dealers. It's our fourth acquisition since October 2023, and the first public milestone in the active M&A pipeline we signalled when we closed our Series B last year.

For VeloLife customers, this means access to Laka's award-winning, collective-driven cover. For Laka, it's another deliberate step in building out a diverse B2B2C ecosystem, one that supports global brand partners, direct-to-consumer riders, and independent dealers side by side.

Why a diverse ecosystem matters

Micromobility isn't one market. It's many.

Some riders buy their bike from a global brand's flagship store. Others walk into their local independent shop. Some pick up an e-bike from a mass-market sporting goods retailer, others a high-end e-bike from a specialist retailer. The right insurance option has to be there, in the right form, in every one of those moments.

Three channels, one platform

That's why we've intentionally built Laka as a diverse B2B2C platform rather than betting on a single distribution channel. We work with global brand partners like Decathlon, Ribble, Gazelle, Riese & Müller, and Tenways. We protect riders directly in eleven countries. And we partner with independent dealers - a channel where trust, expertise, and local relationships still drive purchase decisions.

Where VeloLife fits in

VeloLife strengthens the dealer side of that ecosystem, bringing a curated network of 100+ UK bike shops into the mix. It complements, rather than replaces, the other channels we've been building, and gives us deeper roots in the market.

A key integration comes with the deal

Alongside the acquisition, a cornerstone of our dealer-channel growth is our partnership with EPOS provider Citrus Lime. The integration lets us embed Laka's insurance products directly into the retail workflow, putting cover in front of customers at the moment of purchase, and deepening our B2B2C model where it matters most. Together with VeloLife's dealer network, it's a major reason this push into the dealer channel is moving so quickly.

The M&A strategy, now in motion

Series B: setting out the intent

This marks Laka's fourth acquisition in three years and the first public milestone in the active M&A pipeline that Laka signalled when we closed our £14.1 million Series B - which included a dedicated £6.5 million venture debt facility from HSBC Innovation Banking, secured specifically to fund strategic acquisitions.

Venture debt: backing the intent with capital

When we closed this Series B equity round in July 2025, we were upfront about our intent: Europe's micromobility insurance market is highly fragmented, and we believe targeted acquisitions are one of the fastest ways to consolidate it.

A pattern of acquisitions

It follows three earlier deals:

  • Cylantro (2023) - a French e-bike insurance broker
  • CoverCloud (2024) - UK bike insurance renewal rights
  • Luko's e-scooter portfolio (2025) - acquired from Allianz Direct

Each deal has added something distinct: new geography, new product capability, or new distribution. VeloLife continues that pattern by deepening our reach into the UK dealer ecosystem.

A market that's about to double

The growth opportunity

The wider context here matters. McKinsey projects the global micromobility market will more than double by 2030, from roughly $160 billion today to around $340 billion. Europe is expected to be the largest regional contributor, growing from $60 billion in 2022 to $140 billion by 2030.

The fragmentation problem

Insurance for this sector, by contrast, remains splintered across small specialists, legacy brokers, and underwriters who treat micromobility as an afterthought. We see a clear opportunity to consolidate that landscape with a platform built specifically for how people actually ride today.

What this means for VeloLife customers

30 days free as a welcome

Every VeloLife customer who migrates to Laka will receive their first 30 days of insurance free of charge, a small thank-you for coming with us, and a chance to experience the way Laka does things differently.

A different kind of cover

Instead of paying a fixed upfront premium, Laka members are charged monthly based on the collective's actual claims. Fewer claims, lower costs. And every member's spend is capped at a guaranteed maximum, so there are no nasty surprises. It's an approach that's earned us "Best Cycle Insurance Provider" eight years running, and it's now available to a wider group of riders than ever.

What they had to say

Tobias Taupitz, CEO and Co-Founder of Laka

"This acquisition is a key milestone in our bike dealer strategy - and a clear signal that our M&A pipeline is now moving. VeloLife has built a fantastic set of partners, and we look forward to welcoming them to Laka's network. When we raised our Series B and secured the HSBC debt facility, we were explicit that acquisition-led consolidation was central to our strategy. VeloLife is exactly the kind of deal that strategy was designed for."

Justin Rodley, Director and Co-Founder of VeloLife

"We are delighted to be joining Laka. This new relationship is a very good fit for our ambition to launch into Europe and beyond. Most importantly, it was clear that Tobi and his team share our passion for quality service for the dealer network and customers. With Laka's award-winning track record and strong brand, we are excited about what the future holds."

Dan Duran, Head of Marketing at Citrus Lime

"Independent bike retailers are at the centre of everything we do, and partnerships that strengthen the services available through the dealer channel matter to us. Laka's growth in the UK cycling market reflects a broader shift in how independent retailers are building more complete customer propositions. We look forward to seeing what this next phase brings."

What's next

More to come in 2026

VeloLife is one deal in a pipeline we expect to keep developing through 2026. As we scale from a UK direct-to-consumer business into a fully European B2B2C platform, our focus stays on building an ecosystem with real breadth: global brand partnerships, independent dealer networks, and direct-to-rider channels all working together.

Get in touch

If you're a dealer, brand, or partner interested in working with Laka, we'd love to hear from you. This is a big moment for us, and we think it's a good one for the cycling industry too.

For media enquiries, contact Harry Ashcroft at Perseid PR - harry@perseidpr.com.