Mission Throttle has invested in A2B Bikeshare, a Michigan-based social enterprise dedicated to helping urban communities of all sizes become better connected, healthier, and more environmentally responsible.
A2B Bikeshare provides urban communities with a distributed network of bikes that contain automated, solar-powered software, at rental stations in which bikes are made available for individual riders for short-term use (thirty minutes to one hour). Once rented, a bike can be returned to any other station. The A2B system provides accessible, affordable, environmentally sound transportation solutions for any urban area without using taxpayer subsidies.
“We are grateful for the funding from Mission Throttle and excited to see this program thrive in Michigan and beyond,” A2B Bikeshare Founder and CEO Ansgar Strother said. “Our success is made possible because of the support from a wide range of community partners who all share our belief in accessible urban transportation.”
With a swipe of a credit card on their bike of choice, A2B Bikeshare members can rent a bike and new riders can register for membership. This streamlined process enables riders to quickly check out bikes and begin their ride. The on-bike software provides maps and directions and can display promotions for local organizations as riders stop nearby. An A2B Bikeshare mobile app is available on personal smartphones and, in conjunction with the A2B Bikeshare website, allows access to a real-time system map which shows bike and station availability. The personal app also allows members to place short-term reservations that ensure a currently-docked bike will still be available when they arrive at the station.
“Communities throughout the U.S. are looking for affordable, healthy, and environmentally friendly ways for community members to navigate around their urban centers,” says Jamie Shea, Managing Director of Investments for Mission Throttle. “Traditional methods such as walking, taxis, cars, buses, and rail systems only provide part of the solution. We are pleased to be partnering with a social enterprise that has such a strong model, and we believe that over time this program will contribute to the health and economic vitality of Michigan’s urban communities.”
A2B Bikeshare maintains an in-house engineering team to assist individual communities with developing custom bike sharing solutions. A2B successfully piloted its system in Lansing, Michigan in 2013 and will be returning there this spring to expand the current operation. They also plan to launch a 120-bike system this summer in the City of Fairbanks, Alaska.
About A2B
A2B Bikeshare is a transportation startup company that is passionate about helping communities become better connected, healthy and environmentally responsible. Founded in 2011 with support from University of Michigan’s Center for Entrepreneurship, A2B Bikeshare was created to address a need for affordable and flexible urban transit.
About Mission Throttle
Mission Throttle, LLC is an impact investing firm dedicated to accelerating positive social change in our local community. We invest in, advise, and support mission-driven organizations and entrepreneurs that intend to use business solutions to generate positive social outcomes. Although our work is based and focused in Michigan, we share our learning broadly, supporting tools and research to drive the global impact investing system forward.
