Ampler Bikes files for bankruptcy after new financing fails

Estonian e-bike manufacturer Ampler Bikes has filed for bankruptcy and laid off its 50 employees, ending the decade-long run that saw it sell over 28,000 bikes across Europe. The filing in Estonian district court follows the insolvency of Ampler's German subsidiary, while its Swiss unit is expected to also shut imminently. In addition to years of general financial difficulties, the final trigger for the closure is reportedly the brand's Berlin showroom, which it signed five years ago and has been unable to exit. The landlord demanded €1.2 million to terminate the agreement – a sum that made it impossible to attract fresh investment and prompted Ampler's major shareholder Urban Mobility to withdraw further financing. Ampler became known especially for its Nova and Nova Pro models, launched in May 2025 – these bikes were among the first commercially available e-bikes capable of charging directly via USB-C – something the company saw as a step toward a universal charging infrastructure.