This article is part of In Conversation with Contemporary Web Startups at the Web Summit
BimBimBikes is the first online platform for bike rental companies. It is currently present in 40 countries, with over 700 rental points in the BimBimBikes community of bike rental companies.
Its founder Michel Willems sat down with us to answer our questions:
Helena: What was the main inspiration for you to start this business?
Michel: I had a wonderful vacation in San Francisco. We booked a lovely apartment, we ate at great restaurants (with good online reviews). Then we went to a bike rental shop. They were out of bikes. As I didn’t want to disappoint my beautiful and lovely wife, I said I would handle the situation. I picked up my smartphone, looked for an independent bike booking site with reviews and availability…. and it wasn’t there. We found a rental bike after all, but that was the moment I thought: “I have to start a worldwide bike rental site.”
Helena: If I understand correctly, your main goal now is internationalization on a large scale. Are there other objectives you would like to achieve in the near future?
Michel: In three years time, we want to offer bike rental in every country that’s not a war-zone. 2016 will be focused on Europe, but every bicycle rental company on every continent is welcome. Furthermore, we want to partner with travel companies. It’s logical that they would put a link to bike rental in the confirmation mail of a hotel, train or flight booking. In the end, we want to have a very tight-knit bike rental company community, helping them with better bike purchasing deals with bicycle brands through group buying, as well as with free stock keeping and rental software.
Our next questions relates to Michel’s level of satisfaction with support from the Netherlands, where BimBimBikes is based.
Helena: What are the main reasons you are satisfied or unsatisfied with your government’s support? Does your country offer financial support, and have you evaluated the possibility of receiving any, should you need it in the future?
Michel: There are some subsidies or tax rebates for innovative companies in Holland. If we can apply for them, we will. Most important is the good infrastructure and ease of entrepreneurship in the Netherlands. There is not too much bureaucracy and a clear trustworthy business climate. We also really like the way the Dutch Ambassy helped us in Ireland!
Helena: Which city in your country do you consider the best for startups?
Michel: Most startups are set up in Amsterdam. It’s a beautiful city, easy to live in, tolerant – and it has a great startup ecosystem. Tech startups can consider Eindhoven – a real knowledge center with its University of Technology and also quite a few serious tech companies that could help become the core of a tech ecosystem. We are in Rotterdam. It’s international, and has a no-nonsense workers’ mentality. Space is on average cheaper than in Amsterdam. There are a lot of smart young people from the Erasmus University and the University of Technology in nearby Delft. It has more space, more freedom, and is still international. However, Holland is small. Amsterdam and Rotterdam are just one hour apart. In a city like Paris, it takes you at least two hours to go from one side to the other during rush hour.
Helena: Since our blog is focused on recruitment and the world of work in general, my last question relates to your preferences between standard employees, freelance cooperation, or subcontracting. What are your preferences now, and what are your plans for the near future?
Michel: The core should always consist of very loyal dedicated team members. Quite often that’s easier with employees. Other projects could be picked up by a flexible network of freelancers, temporary team members and providers. We work a lot with interns from all over the world, as well.
Euspert would like to thank Michel for his sincere and detailed answers, and wish BimBimBikes every success in the future.
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://www.binance.com/ph/register?ref=IU36GZC4
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks! https://www.binance.com/si-LK/register?ref=LBF8F65G
Your article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
199980 377429You need to participate in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I will recommend this internet site! 323342
662314 898651So funcy to see the article within this weblog. Thank you for posting it 952648
117788 405333Simply a smiling visitor here to share the love (:, btw great style and design . 867519
930404 688228An incredibly fascinating read, I may possibly not concur completely, but you do make some extremely valid points. 840920
270019 69900Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice post. 214154
688642 11643Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in reality was a amusement account it. Look complicated to far delivered agreeable from you! However, how can we maintain in touch? 777719
689234 542964For anybody who is considering about external complications, sometimes be tough amaze those to realize to produce just a single weed in this extremely flowing generally requires eleven liters concerning gasoline to. dc free mommy weblog giveaways family trip home gardening house power wash baby laundry detergent 676896
547488 76384hi there, your web site is discount. Me thank you for do the job 3085
768127 632335hi!,I like your writing so significantly! share we keep up a correspondence extra approximately your post on AOL? I need a specialist on this space to solve my problem. Could be that is you! Seeking ahead to peer you. 469194
782955 619412This really is a great common sense write-up. Really valuable to one who is just discovering the resouces about this part. It will surely aid educate me. 889373
716149 576092I dont believe Ive read anything like this before. So very good to uncover somebody with some original thoughts on this topic. thank for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality. Very good job for bringing something new to the internet! 733197
932934 401778This is a great weblog. Maintain up all the work. I too enjoy to blog. This is fantastic every person sharing opinions 603553
317745 259665You need to consider starting an email list. It would take your web site to its potential. 881074
424471 893009Wohh just what I was seeking for, thanks for putting up. 114845
899093 441728Some actually nice stuff on this internet web site , I enjoy it. 712794
377695 619431I quite delighted to locate this internet site on bing, just what I was searching for : D besides saved to bookmarks . 173674
725437 944915The electronic cigarette makes use of a battery and a small heating aspect the vaporize the e-liquid. This vapor can then be inhaled and exhaled 660004
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?
576865 31448The digital cigarette makes use of a battery and a small heating element the vaporize the e-liquid. This vapor can then be inhaled and exhaled 496083
2298 743110More than and more than once again I think about these issue. As a matter of fact it was not even yesterday that I last thought about it. To be honest, what is your thought though? 761840
466142 370622Some truly great content on this internet website , appreciate it for contribution. 606958
469468 185583You produced some decent points there. I looked on the net to the concern and discovered many people goes together with along together with your web site. 796558
429036 198353never saw a web site like this, relaly impressed. compared to other blogs with this write-up this was definatly the very best web site. will save. 965317
81588 130457Its amazing what supplementing can do for your body and your weight lifting goals! 813327
897819 231746Good one, there is in fact some wonderful facts on this post some of my subscribers might discover this useful, will send them a link, many thanks. 557985
Thanks for sharing. I read many of your blog posts, cool, your blog is very good.
417346 171817The electronic cigarette makes use of a battery and a small heating aspect the vaporize the e-liquid. This vapor can then be inhaled and exhaled 382601
496227 963171Fantastic site. Plenty of useful information here. 149099
826695 528593Some times its a discomfort in the ass to read what people wrote but this internet web site is extremely user friendly ! . 500641
653276 987571I got what you intend, saved to favorites , quite decent internet site . 283701