Finnish electric motorcycle manufacturer Verge Motorcycles is opening a new chapter with the launch of its new B2B platform Verge Next. In future, it is no longer just the company's own model portfolio that will benefit from its innovative drive technology: From now on, other motorcycle manufacturers will also have access to the in-house battery, motor and controller technology.
Strategic technology transfer: new paths for the motorcycle industry
With Verge Next, the company is opening up its technology platform to external partners for the first time. The aim is to make the in-house development – which was previously used exclusively in the characteristically brutalistically designed Verge electric motorcycles – available throughout the industry. The technology solutions are intended to help licensees to develop their own electric motorcycles at a higher technical level.
According to Verge, this opening up to the B2B market is in response to concrete interest from several international manufacturers who have become aware of the Finns’ expertise in recent years. Nevertheless, Verge Motorcycles will remain active as an independent manufacturer – the new activities merely complement the existing business.
“A constantly evolving ecosystem”
Verge CEO Tuomo Lehtimäki explains:
“In recent years, Verge Motorcycles has paved the way to the future of motorcycles. Now we are responding to interest from several manufacturers who want access to our technology platform and components for their own vehicles. Verge Next is a constantly evolving ecosystem that enables industry players to improve safety, rideability and other key features of their products.”
The platform not only offers access to individual components, but also to a complete package of technological solutions that can be individually adapted to the partners’ requirements. According to Verge, talks have already been held with potential cooperation partners. With Verge Next, the company is now better positioned than ever to enter into new B2B agreements.
Know-how from the Donut Lab
The technological core of Verge Next is the Donut Lab, a team of developers with proven expertise in the field of e-mobility on two wheels. Its head and CEO of Verge Motorcycles, Marko Lehtimäki, adds:
“Our goal is to help manufacturers develop even better and more innovative electric vehicles. With Donut Lab, we are making these exciting technologies accessible to the entire industry.”
While the exchange of e-systems between manufacturers is common practice in the bicycle sector, the motorcycle industry has so far been more reticent. Verge’s initiative could pave the way for more openness in technology transfer.
Conclusion: openness with potential
With Verge Next, Verge Motorcycles is not only establishing itself as a manufacturer, but also as a technology provider. The modular provision of drive and control technology could help smaller or newly founded motorcycle brands in particular to bring competitive electric models onto the market more quickly. At the same time, the company is strengthening its position as an innovation leader in the growing segment of electric mobility on two wheels.
