From Berlin – For Berlin. And Germany.

The e-mobility start-up citkar does not only develop and produce in Berlin: as a new member of Berlin Partner, it is also committed to the economic development of the capital. Together with the BVMW, the innovative company also develops concepts for “young medium-sized companies” beyond the city limits.

Berlin, March 18, 2019 – The Berlin e-mobility start-up citkar has been a member of the Berlin partner network since March 1. citkar is thus expanding the circle of start-up partners in the capital city network.

Berlin Partner offers business and technology funding for companies, investors and scientific institutions in Berlin and is also responsible for global capital city and location marketing. As part of its activities, Berlin Partner networks numerous experts, companies, politics and science, offers access to competent discussion partners and thus prepares the ground for strong cooperations between capital city companies. Star-ups have also been part of this since 2016, which means that successful companies are now also connected to the fresh ideas of young players.

“We are very much looking forward to not only actively shaping the mobile future of the capital as a Berlin partner, but also to making a difference together with other young and established medium-sized entrepreneurs across Germany,” says Jonas Kremer, CEO and founder of citkar.

citkar has been working closely with eMO, the Berlin agency for electromobility, from the very beginning and has also been active for some time with the Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW). “Bringing the experience of established companies together with the innovators of tomorrow is particularly important to us,” continues Kremer.

For example, citkar recently gave lectures in the BVWM network “Der Junge Mittelstand” on the challenges of founders and start-ups and is working together with the Wirtschaftsjunioren Deutschland e.V. on a mentoring programme for refugees who want to start a business. With Berlin Partner, citkar will now present itself on a joint stand at the Hanover Fair, the largest business fair in Germany, and answer questions from the public.

Dr. Stefan Franzke, Managing Director of Berlin Partner: “Economic development is not an individual achievement, it can only be achieved in a team. In Berlin it has a long tradition that the public and private sectors work together for growth and development. With success: Last year, Berlin’s economic growth was above the national average for the fifth time in a row. We have now organised more than 280 partners for Berlin, and together we work closely with the Senate of the City of Berlin. The capital’s popularity with founders, investors and talents also reflects the success of business promoters – from all areas. We are pleased that with citkar we can welcome an innovative company in our network that faces the challenges of tomorrow’s mobility and wants to help shape mobility beyond the borders of the capital with its ideas. “

citkar sees itself as a platform for mobility in urban living space. The focus is on the development of hardware products such as the now much-noticed e-cargo bike Loadster. This will be developed in the mobility co-working space “MotionLab.Berlin” in Treptow-Köpenick and will be produced in Berlin together with the VfJ workshops for people with disabilities from spring onwards. The young company is thus underlining its ties to Berlin.

The Loadster is the first e-cargo bike that can replace a VW Caddy. It is licensed as a bicycle, so it is allowed to ride on bike paths and does not require a driving license, insurance or registration. It is weatherproof, has a large transport box and also has the world’s first chainless bicycle motor.