Clipperton is pleased to announce it acted as financial advisor to Fifteen (formed of sustainable mobility frontrunners Smoove and Zoov) on its fundraising of €40m led by Eiffel Essentiel and 2050, with the participation of historical investors Mobivia, Daphni, CDC, C4 Ventures, BNP Paribas Développement, and Eric Carreel. 

Executive Summary:

  • Born after the union between Smoove & Zoov in 2021, Fifteen is a European leader in shared bike services, offering one of the most advanced platforms enabling mobility operators and public administrations to deploy station-based and free-floating services. 
  • To accelerate growth and deploy Augmented Bike Networks across all regions, Fifteen has raised €40 million in a funding round with Eiffel Investment Group, a leading impact investment fund; the evergreen fund 2050; several independent investors, and existing shareholders. 
  • This deal confirms Clipperton’s expertise in mobility and Cleantech, with this being the third transaction in the last 12 months in this field after the fundraising of Tucoenergie and the union between Smoove and Zoov.

Our Client:

  • Fifteen is one of the three world leaders in shared bike services. It combines complete mastery of connected bike and station production with unique experience in public service contracts. This company is resulting from the 2021 union between French companies Zoov and Smoove, two leaders in sustainable mobility. 
  • The name Fifteen refers to the concept of the quarter-hour city, where cities are designed so that all essential services are accessible within a fifteen-minute walk or bike ride. 
  • Fifteen thrives on the €450bn micromobility market, with a clear vision that bike mobility can bring tremendous benefits for individuals in terms of health, environment and social inclusion.
  • Fifteen designs and manufactures a next-generation bicycle service, called Augmented Bike Networks. Augmented Bike Networks make it possible to address all use cases of bikes (station-based or free floating bike-sharing, long-term rental, tourist bikes, etc.) in a wider geographical area and transform it into a coherent network that is interconnected with public transportation. Fifteen addresses city centers and suburbs alike, capital cities and rural towns.  
  • Fifteen supports the most ambitious cities in their transition to sustainable mobility. Its solutions are currently deployed in 30 cities around the world, with over 50’000 bikes on the streets.

Deal Highlights & Rationale:

  • The financing round is led by Eiffel Essentiel and 2050, with the participation of historical investors Mobivia, Daphni, CDC, C4 Ventures, BNP Paribas Développement and Eric Carreel. 
  • The investment of two impact funds characterizes this transaction: Eiffel Investment Group, through its vehicle Eiffel Essentiel, which mainly targets innovations in the sectors of renewable energy, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, and recycling, among others. The evergreen fund 2050 is a financial vehicle that aims to attract projects that wish to align their economic interests with society and the planet. 
  • By raising €40 million, Fifteen has acquired the means to accelerate its business and technological development and contribute to a significant and much needed modal shift from cars to active travel. The company also aims at maximizing its positive impact on the planet by moving its production line as much as possible to Europe.
  • “Fifteen’s ambition is to erase the boundaries between city centers and suburbs, and to increase flexibility between different bike uses, in order to build more human and sustainable cities. Thanks to the support and confidence of Eiffel Investment Group and 2050, we will accelerate the deployment of Augmented Bike Networks in all territories, democratizing the use of bikes to improve our collective well-being.” Benoit Yameundjeu, CEO of Fifteen.

Clipperton’s Role & Expertise:

  • Clipperton acted as financial advisor to Fifteen and its historical investors on this transaction, highlighting its role as a long-term advisor after advising the union between Smoove with Zoov, at the beginning of 2021. 
  • This deal confirms Clipperton’s expertise in mobility and Cleantech, with this being the third transaction in the last 12 months in this field after the fundraising of Tucoenergie and the union between Smoove and Zoov.

Deal Team & Enquiries: 

About Clipperton

Clipperton is a leading investment bank dedicated to technology and growth companies. We provide strategic and financial advisory to entrepreneurs, corporates, and top-tier investors in Europe willing to execute transactions such as strategic M&A, private equity transactions, and private placements. Founded in 2003 and with offices in Paris, London, Berlin, Munich, New York, and Beijing, Clipperton has completed over 350 M&A and private placement transactions with fast-growing technology start-ups, blue-chip corporates, and renowned financial investors.