Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, transforming from a niche interest into a legitimate mode of transportation. As society becomes more environmentally conscious, the appeal of ebikes goes beyond just being trendy — they offer a practical solution to reducing our carbon footprint while also promoting health, convenience, and cost savings. Isn’t that a dream come true?

In this exclusive interview with Daniel Tonkopiy, the CEO of Delfast, Ukraine’s leading electric bike company, we delve into his incredible journey of founding and building a company that set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled on a single battery charge. This milestone remains unbroken to this day. Sit back and let’s dive in.

Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to start an e-bike company?

There wasn’t one defining moment for me. Everything started in 2014 when I founded a courier service called Delfast, which aimed to deliver online purchases as quickly as pizza deliveries. At the time, we managed to deliver electronics like smartphones and laptops within an hour in Kyiv. Naturally, we relied heavily on electric bikes for our operations. However, our focus was always on logistics, not selling bikes. Passersby were constantly curious about our electric bikes, and we had to post signs saying, “We don’t sell bikes! We’re a courier company!” So, starting an e-bike business wasn’t exactly on my radar.

Eventually, we realized that turning away potential customers wasn’t the best strategy. We decided to give it a shot, and after a few years, we sold the courier service to focus solely on developing Delfast as an e-bike company. It was a natural progression from what we were already doing.

What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early on?

Our first batch of e-bikes could only travel about 30 miles on a single charge. This was far from ideal for couriers who typically cover around 130 miles a day. We tested various models from different manufacturers, but none met our needs. This led us to take matters into our own hands and begin designing our own electric bikes.

Through trial and error, we developed an e-bike that outperformed everything else available at the time. In 2017, we proved our success by setting a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled on a single battery charge without pedaling. Our bike covered 235 miles on one charge, surpassing the previous record of just 50 miles.

Even amidst a challenging year, Delfast launched a new model. What inspired you?

The idea for the new model came from our team. Sales managers in Los Angeles reported that customers were asking for a specific type of e-bike, one that combined practicality and performance. Meanwhile, our engineers in Ukraine expressed a desire to keep working despite the difficult circumstances. They wanted to innovate and create something meaningful.

Typically, developing a new motorcycle or e-bike takes two to three years. We went from concept to production in just eight months. This rapid turnaround was only possible because everyone poured their energy, creativity, and passion into the project. We aimed to create the perfect e-bike — one that embodied everything we wanted for ourselves and our customers. Since the inspiration came from California, we named it the "Delfast California."

The entire world is rallying behind Ukraine. How has the war impacted your team and operations?

War is undoubtedly a terrible environment for any business to thrive in. Some of our team members have lost homes, loved ones, and stability. Russian aggression continues to disrupt essential infrastructure, leaving many of our colleagues in Ukraine with limited access to communication and resources. Power outages, lack of internet, water shortages, and freezing temperatures have made daily life incredibly difficult, especially during winter.

Despite these hardships, the war has brought our team closer together. It has highlighted both the risks we face and the resilience within us. For us, work serves as a source of motivation and purpose. It keeps us grounded and gives us hope that victory is within reach. Even under these conditions, our crowdfunding campaign received full funding in the first 24 hours.

What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Never give up.

Gone with the Wind was rejected by 38 publishers.
Angry Birds was the 52nd game developed by Rovio.
Henry Ford didn’t win a race until he was 60.
Soichiro Honda once said, "For every victory, there must be 99 defeats."
Thomas Edison conducted 11,000 failed experiments before inventing the light bulb.
Michael Jordan missed over 9,000 shots in his career.

Mistakes and failures are part of the process. It’s not shameful to fail; it’s shameful not to try. The key is to get back up when you fall. Persistence is everything.

What are your plans for 2023?

We have three main goals:

1. Boost our bike sales by at least threefold.
2. Begin assembling and producing bikes in the United States.
3. Defeat the Russian invaders once and for all!

As a proud Ukrainian startup, how do you support your fellow citizens?

Since the start of the war, we’ve been committed to aiding our military. We’ve equipped our troops with specially modified electric bikes designed for combat. These bikes are quiet, have long ranges, handle rough terrain well, and can carry significant loads. Our modified TOP 3.0 bestseller has proven invaluable for air reconnaissance units, providing mobility and efficiency on the frontlines.

Additionally, we’ve donated 5% of our sales to support Ukraine’s armed forces, purchasing critical supplies like advanced optics, food, and winter gear. Every member of our team takes pride in contributing to this cause, and some are even serving on the frontlines themselves. It’s humbling and inspiring to see how much we can achieve together.