The people
What they build
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Working at Vanhawks
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About
Vanhawks built the Valour, a carbon-fibre commuter bicycle that paired with a phone over Bluetooth and used handlebar LEDs for turn-by-turn navigation, plus blind-spot detection and ride metrics, at around US$1,500. Its 2014 Kickstarter raised US$820,000 and was the most-funded Canadian campaign at the time, followed by a $1.6M seed led by Real Ventures. The company ran out of money in 2016 and laid off its staff, relaunched with a new retail model, then was acquired in April 2017 by Warren Industries, a Vaughan, Ontario automotive parts manufacturer. The brand no longer operates and its domain is parked.
Backers
Kickstarter crowdfunding in 2014, then a $1.6M seed led by Real Ventures in 2015; acquired by Warren Industries in April 2017
Quick answers
What was the Vanhawks Valour?
A carbon-fibre connected commuter bicycle, priced around US$1,500, that paired with a smartphone over Bluetooth and gave turn-by-turn navigation through handlebar LEDs, along with blind-spot detection, integrated lights and ride metrics.
What happened to Vanhawks?
It ran out of money in 2016 and laid off its staff, relaunched with a new online and retail plan, then was acquired in April 2017 by Warren Industries, a privately owned automotive parts manufacturer in Vaughan, Ontario. There has been no activity since.
Who founded Vanhawks?
Sohaib Zahid, who was CEO and chief designer, with Ali Zahid, Adil Aftab and Niv Yahel. Daanish Maan, who spoke at TechTO for the company, led user experience rather than founding it.