What’s Next for Voi? Fireside Chat with CEO Fredrik Hjelm | Micromobility Europe 2025

In this in-depth fireside chat, Fredrik Hjelm, Co-Founder & CEO of Voi, joins Tech.eu’s Robin Wauters live at Micromobility Europe 2025 to reflect on Voi's 7-year journey from the chaotic early days of scooter wars to becoming a profitable, semi-public micromobility leader operating in 110+ cities across Europe.

Fredrik opens up about:

• Losing and then regaining Paris and why it matters
• Navigating the shift from hypergrowth to profitability
• Raising public debt and preparing for a future IPO
• Why circularity, not just sustainability, is key to Voi’s 2035 net-zero goals
• Building a “full stack” mobility company across hardware, software, data, and operations
• How Voi is leveraging AI to drive internal efficiency and improve rider behavior

With candid insights on regulation, safety, competition, and investor expectations, this is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of urban mobility.

🎤 Speakers:
Fredrik Hjelm, CEO & Co-Founder, Voi
Robin Wauters, Founder, Tech.eu & Profoundo

Recorded at Micromobility Europe 2025 in Brussels

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Check more at www.micromobility.io

Chapters
00:00 The Early Days of Voi
02:17 Winning Paris: A Milestone for Voi
05:29 Focus and Profitability: The Path to Success
08:31 Competition in the Micro-Mobility Space
11:21 Navigating Investor Relations and Funding
14:27 Safety First: Evolving Perspectives in Micro-Mobility
17:15 Influencing Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
20:14 Sustainability Goals: Aiming for Net Zero by 2035
23:12 The Role of AI in Micro-Mobility
26:06 Future of Mobility: Trends and Predictions

In this candid fireside chat from Micromobility Europe 2025 in Brussels, Stewart Lyons, Co-CEO of Bird and Spin, sits down with James Gross, Co-Founder of Micromobility Industries, for a wide-ranging conversation on the past, present, and future of shared mobility.

Topics covered include:
- Bird's journey through bankruptcy and its turnaround strategy
- Why "rides" are the ultimate health metric for shared mobility
- What went wrong with the early Bird playbook—and how Bird Canada did it differently
- The state of the Canadian micromobility market (and why Toronto is still scooter-less)
- Consolidation, regulation, and who wins the race for market share
- Hardware innovation, e-bike dominance, and what's next for Bird/Spin
- The real role of Uber, Lyft, and Waymo in the mobility ecosystem
- Is Bird still the "Kleenex" of micromobility?

🚲 Stewart shares hard-won lessons, future ambitions, and why Bird believes the best is yet to come.

Recorded live at Micromobility Europe 2025 — the premier event for light electric vehicles and future urban transportation.

Learn more at www.micromobility.io

At Micromobility Europe 2025 in Brussels, TechCrunch senior reporter Rebecca Bellan sits down with three of the industry’s most influential CEOs to unpack where shared e-scooters and e-bikes are heading next.

Panel:
- Michael Wahinushi - Co-CEO, Bird/Spin
- Fredrik Hjelm - Co-Founder & CEO, Voi
- Henri Moissinac - Co-Founder & CEO, Tier-Dott

They unpack the current state and future of micromobility, with sharp insights into:

- The shift from hype to profitability and disciplined growth
- M&A: Who is acquiring Bolt's Micromobility Business? 
- Why AI is transforming fleet operations and user experience
- Commuter adoption trends in North America and Europe
- The real safety issues cities must solve (hint: it's not scooters)
- How infrastructure and policy decisions shape adoption
- Why short-term RFPs hurt long-term investment
- The future of hardware, form factors, and consolidation

A deep, no-spin conversation about what it really takes to build sustainable micromobility at scale.

Subcribe to the Micromobility Newsletter: https://micromobility.substack.com/

In this firesidechat from Micromobility Europe 2025, Maxim, the president and co-founder of Tier-Dott, shares his journey into the micromobility sector, discussing the evolution of bike sharing, the lessons learned from his experience with Ofo, and the strategic decisions that led to the formation of TierDot. He emphasizes the importance of a conservative growth approach, the challenges and synergies of the recent merger with Tier, and the critical role of hardware in the business. Maxim also addresses sustainability, pricing strategies, and the future of micro mobility, highlighting the need for better parking infrastructure and the potential for significant market growth.

Guest: Maxim Romain, Co-Founder & President, Tier-Dott
Host: Prabin Joel Jones, CEO, Micromobility Industries

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Micro Mobility and Personal Journey
04:56 Lessons from Ofo and the Birth of TierDot
09:42 Strategic Growth: The Slow and Steady Approach
14:35 The Merger: Challenges and Opportunities
19:51 Hardware Decisions: Building vs. Sourcing
24:38 Sustainability and Fleet Management
29:01 Market Dynamics: Pricing and User Adoption
33:50 Future of Micro Mobility: Trends and Predictions

In this episode of the Micromobility Podcast, host Prabin Joel Jones sits down with Eliott Wertheimer, co-CEO of VanMoof, to explore the bold journey of reviving one of the world’s most recognized e-bike brands. 

Eliott shares his unique transition from aerospace engineering to the fast-paced world of micromobility, and the intense process behind acquiring VanMoof after its bankruptcy. The conversation dives deep into rebuilding trust with the community, improving product reliability, and making strategic shifts from direct-to-consumer to hybrid retail models.

Discover how the new VanMoof is focused on transparency, design excellence, and local retail support to lead the next wave of sustainable urban transportation.

Topics Covered:

• Eliott’s background in aerospace & transition to e-bikes
• The decision to acquire VanMoof after its collapse
• Community trust & brand rebuilding
• Challenges in engineering & product reliability
• Shifting sales strategy: DTC vs retail
• Future of micromobility & urban transportation

In this episode of the Micromobility Podcast, host Prabin Joel Jones sits down with Paul-Adrien Cormerais, CEO and founder of Pony, the French micromobility company redefining shared transportation. From his early days as a quant in London to launching a hardware-driven, community-funded mobility startup, Paul-Adrien shares the bold decisions behind Pony’s growth, including their pioneering Adopt-a-Pony model that lets everyday riders invest in the fleet.

We dive into:

• Why Pony avoided traditional VC routes and built a rider-funded model
• The challenges (and near disasters) of building hardware in-house
• How e-scooters transformed user growth overnight
• The future of micromobility margins, manufacturing, and market consolidation
• Why Europe’s small cities might be the real growth frontier

What happens when one of the biggest names in micromobility files for bankruptcy? In this exclusive interview, Bird Co-CEO Michael Washinushi joins host Prabin Joel Jones to break down the company’s dramatic turnaround. From Chapter 11 restructuring to a bold shift in strategy, discover how Bird is rebuilding its position as a leader in sustainable urban transportation.

Learn how Michael transitioned from CFO to CEO during a crisis, retained critical city permits, cut operational costs, and set Bird on a new path toward growth. Whether you're in mobility, startups, or urban tech, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, financial strategy, and navigating tough times.

👉 Topics covered:

Bird’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and recovery strategy
Leadership transition: CFO to CEO
Micromobility business models and revenue optimization
Cultural overhaul and operational efficiency
Third-party vehicles and hardware strategy
The future of shared electric scooters and urban mobility

📍 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more interviews on micromobility, sustainability, and innovation in urban transport.

00:00 The Birth of Bird: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility

01:40 Michael's Journey: From CFO to CEO

05:13 Navigating Challenges: The Turnaround Strategy

08:34 Cultural Overhaul: Post-Bankruptcy Bird

11:58 Motivating the Team: Retention and Transparency

15:29 Revenue Resilience: Strategies During Bankruptcy

18:49 Tough Decisions: Streamlining Operations

22:31 Building Brand Loyalty in Micro Mobility

25:50 Metrics that Matter: Revenue and Customer Retention

29:43 Understanding User Price Sensitivity

32:18 Post-Bankruptcy Metrics and Surprises

34:56 Strategies for Reducing G&A Costs

39:24 Hardware Strategy and Market Positioning

44:21 Geographical Expansion and Market Focus

48:43 Future of Shared Micro Mobility

In this episode of the Micromobility Podcast, host Prabin Joel Jones speaks with Tobias W. Balchen, CEO of RYDE, discusses the journey of the company from its founding in Norway to becoming the largest operator in the Nordic micromobility market. He shares insights on the business model, profitability strategies, pricing dynamics, operational challenges, and the importance of software development and customer experience.

Takeaways

• Ride is the largest operator in the Nordics with over 80,000 e-scooters.
• The company has focused on profitability from day one, avoiding heavy reliance on venture capital.
• Ride's in-house operating model contributes to quality service and cost management.
• The lifespan of e-scooters has increased significantly, impacting unit economics positively.
• Pricing strategies are crucial, with a focus on affordability to attract users.
• Seasonal adjustments are necessary, with operations varying by city and weather conditions.
• Software development is key to enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
• Regulatory compliance is a significant challenge in the micro mobility industry.
• Ride is exploring in-house hardware development while currently using off-the-shelf solutions.
• The future of shared micromobility looks promising with potential for large operators to emerge.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ride and Its Journey
01:57 Founding Story and Business Model
04:04 Growth and Expansion in the Nordic Market
06:32 Profitability and Cost Management Strategies
09:12 Operational Challenges and Seasonal Adjustments
11:23 Unit Economics and Asset Lifespan
13:36 Technology and Software Development
16:00 User Experience and Customer Loyalty
18:16 Regulatory Environment and City Partnerships
20:27 Future of Shared Micromobility
22:35 Conclusion and Vision for the Future

In this episode of the Micro Mobility Podcast, host Prabin Joel Jones speaks with Kristian Brink, CEO of Urban Sharing, about the evolution and future of bike share systems. They discuss the history of bike share, the transition from station-based to dockless systems, the impact of technology, and the various business models that sustain these services. The conversation also touches on the profitability of bike share systems, the tender processes involved, and the ecosystem of providers. Looking ahead, they explore future trends in micro mobility, including the integration of e-bikes and IoT technology.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Micro Mobility Podcast
03:12 The Evolution of Bike Share Systems
06:15 Generational Changes in Bike Share
09:01 The Impact of Technology on Bike Share
12:06 Station-Based vs. Dockless Bike Share
14:58 Business Models of Bike Share Systems
18:07 Tender Processes and City Sponsorship
21:05 Profitability in Bike Share Operations
24:09 Challenges and Future of Bike Share
31:38 The Evolution of Bike Share Systems
36:16 Understanding Unit Economics in Bike Share
44:04 The Ecosystem of Bike Share
51:15 Future Trends in Bike Share Technology

Rerun: This episode was originally aired on 22 December 2023.

In an emergency podcast episode of Ride On!, James Gross and guest Prabin Joel Jones discuss the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Bird, one of the high flying shared micromobility companies over the last 5 years.. They delve into the financial challenges and strategic missteps of Bird and other companies in the shared micromobility space, considering the broader implications for the industry. They then turn their attention to how you could build a shared micromobility company today and the opportunities that are now present as capital and some of the existing industry heads for the exit.