“Angell is over.” With these words, Simoncini announced on social media the end of Angell Mobility, a company specialising in connected electric bicycles. Despite being proudly marketed as "Made in France," the startup faced persistent production problems from the launch of its first bikes. Angell has declared insolvency and is expected to enter liquidation proceedings, as confirmed in an email from Simoncini to customers.
Manufacturing challenges and recalls
Angell’s difficulties were compounded by supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and a series of construction defects. The tipping point came in November 2024, when the company issued a major recall for its first-generation bikes. A significant flaw in the bike frame, which posed a risk of breaking and causing accidents, led to the recall of nearly 5,000 units.
According to Le Figaro, Angell faced a €13M liability in refunds to affected customers—a financial burden the company could not bear, forcing it to cease operations.
A difficult market for electric bikes
Angell is not the first electric bike company to close its doors. Dutch brand VanMoof declared bankruptcy in July 2023, later being acquired by McLaren Applied through its Lavoie brand. The electric bike market has grown increasingly challenging, with demand faltering in several European countries, including France, where sales have declined by 9%, according to figures from the Union Sport & Cycle (USC).
Backed by major industry players
Despite these challenges, Angell had strong industrial backing. The company initially partnered with French small appliance giant Seb, which assembled Angell bikes at its factory in Is-sur-Tille, near Dijon. Seb also acquired a minority stake in the startup.
In September 2023, Angell raised €20M, bringing in global shipping giant CMA CGM as an investor. Around the same time, the company announced an alliance with Mini, the BMW subsidiary, to expand into new European markets.
However, less than 18 months after these milestones, Angell has been forced to close, marking a significant setback for the connected e-bike sector in France.