Sheffield, U.K. (BRAIN) — Decathlon Pulse, the investment unit of the French sporting goods retailer Decathlon, and BA Capital, a Shanghai, China-based venture capital firm, have each acquired shares in Brompton, the UK folding bike brand.
The companies said the investment will help the brand expand its global reach. Selected Brompton models will be sold through dedicated “Brompton corners” in some Decathlon stores. Decathlon has hundreds of locations worldwide, but currently does not operate brick and mortar stores in the U.S. It does sell its Van Rysel road and gravel bikes and Rockrider mountain bikes in the U.S. online and through IBDs.
The Guardian reported that the deal was worth 18 million pounds ($23.8 million), with Decathlon acquiring a 10% stake in Brompton and BA Capital taking a 5% stake.
In 2023, Brompton received a $23 million investment from BGF, an equity capital investment company based in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Since then, the company has not been profitable, but has developed and launched several new platforms, including new e-bike models.
"As demand for smarter and more sustainable urban transport continues to grow, we see a tremendous opportunity ahead,” said Will Butler-Adams, who has been CEO of Brompton since 2008, when he led a management buyout of the company. "Decathlon Pulse and BA Capital bring complementary expertise, global networks and a shared belief in our mission. We are excited to welcome them as long-term partners as we continue to grow while staying true to who we are," he added.
BA Capital’s portfolio spans several industries and includes TENWAYS, a China-based e-bike brand. TENWAYS was founded in the Netherlands following a crowd-funding campaign.
Franck Vigo, the CEO of Decathlon Pulse, said, "We are very pleased to partner with Brompton. What convinced us goes beyond the product: We share the same values, a strong culture of quality, and a long-term vision of sustainable urban mobility. Brompton embodies a unique combination of performance, durability and community engagement that perfectly complements our approach. This partnership is about scaling that model while preserving what makes Brompton truly unique."
Irwin Wouts, Decathlon’s cycling sports general manager, said, “Brompton is a natural complement to Decathlon's offer, bringing a premium positioning within a rapidly growing urban mobility segment. Together, we can better address a wider range of use cases and customer profiles, in a very coherent and complementary way.”
Andrew Ritchie founded Brompton in 1975. The company continues to manufacture its bikes in Sheffield.
