Electric bikes are gaining momentum as electric transportation transitions from being a niche interest to a practical solution. Embracing sustainability is more than just a trend—it’s a long-term commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. Plus, they’re portable, efficient, healthy, and cost-effective—doesn’t that sound like a dream?

In this interview with Daniel Tonkopiy, CEO of Ukrainian electric bike company Delfast, we delve into the inspiring story behind founding and building an electric bike that set a Guinness World Record that remains unbeaten. Get ready to dive in!

Was there a specific moment when you decided to start an e-bike company?

Not really. It wasn’t a sudden realization but rather a gradual evolution. Back in 2014, I founded a courier service with the vision of delivering goods from online stores as quickly as pizza deliveries. We managed to deliver smartphones and laptops within an hour in Kyiv. That’s where the name Delfast came from—short for "Deliver Fast." Naturally, we began using electric bikes for our deliveries. However, customers kept asking about purchasing the bikes, which distracted us from our core business. Eventually, we posted a sign at our station saying, “We do not sell electric bikes—we’re a courier company!” At that point, starting an e-bike company was the furthest thing from my mind.

But eventually, we thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, after running the courier service for a few years, we sold it and pivoted to becoming Delfast bikes. That’s how it happened.

What were the biggest challenges at the start?

Our first electric bikes only had a range of around 30 miles on a single charge, which was nowhere near enough for our couriers who typically cover 130 miles a day. We tested various models from different manufacturers, but none met our requirements. This prompted us to start developing our own bikes.

Step by step, we crafted an electric bike that outperformed anything else in the world at the time. To prove it, we set a Guinness World Record in 2017 for the longest distance traveled on a single battery charge. We covered 235 miles without pedaling, and that record still stands today.

By the way, the previous record was only 50 miles.

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

The idea for the new bike model came from our team. Our sales managers in Los Angeles told me, “This is exactly the type of electric bike people are asking for. This is what they need.” Meanwhile, our engineers in Ukraine expressed their desire to keep working despite the difficult circumstances. They wanted to create, innovate, and contribute.

Typically, developing a new motorcycle or e-bike takes 2-3 years. We went from concept to production in just 8 months. This was possible because everyone on the team poured their energy, passion, and creativity into making it perfect—the dream e-bike, both for others and for ourselves. Since it was inspired by California, we named it the “Delfast California.”

The whole world is supporting Ukraine right now. How has the war impacted your team and work?

War is, to say the least, not ideal for project development. Some team members have lost their homes, others have lost loved ones, and Russian terrorists continue to target electricity generation facilities with missile strikes. This means our colleagues in Ukraine can only connect sporadically—just 3-4 hours a day. The rest of the time, there’s no electricity, no internet, no water, and no heating, especially during the winter when it snows. For this reason, we urge everyone to support Ukraine. You don’t have to buy our bikes, but any Ukrainian product helps. If you can, donate or send power generators and charging stations to Ukraine. Support our fight for independence.

Ironically, these extreme conditions have brought our team closer together and highlighted both risks and opportunities for growth. Work has become our anchor, giving us purpose and reinforcing our belief that Ukraine’s victory is inevitable. Even during tough times, we secured full funding on IGG within 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 the Finnish studio Rovio. Henry Ford didn’t win any races until he was 60. Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda, once said, “Give 99 defeats for every victory.” Thomas Edison invented the light bulb after 11,000 failed experiments. Michael Jordan missed the basket over 9,000 times.

Mistakes and failures are part of the process. It’s embarrassing not to try. It’s shameful not to get back up when you fall. Never, ever, ever give up!

What are the plans for 2023?

Three key goals:

1. Increase bike sales by at least three times.
2. Start assembling and producing bikes in America.
3. Defeat Russian terrorists!

You’re a proud Ukrainian startup. How do you support Ukrainians?

Since the war began, we’ve been aiding our soldiers by providing them with electric bikes. To meet their needs, we’ve added features like a new pendulum, protective arches with footrests, a more robust controller, and a stronger motor wheel. The modified version of our bestselling TOP 3.0 has become an essential tool for our air reconnaissance fighters. It’s quiet, has a long range, can handle rough terrain, is easy to control, and can carry heavy loads.

Additionally, we’ve donated 5% of our sales to Ukraine’s armed forces to purchase critical supplies like advanced optics, food, and winter clothing. Everyone on the team feels proud to have contributed to this effort, and some of us are even on the frontlines. We’re proud of that too.