Context
Sumura, an Antwerp-based startup founded in 2023, approached us with a vision to revolutionize urban e-bike charging and security.
As young families increasingly replace cars with e-bikes for daily transportation, the need for secure, convenient charging solutions was becoming urgent.
Startup challenge
Transforming an innovative concept into a market-ready product that could attract both investors and customers, while operating within typical startup constraints of limited resources and tight timelines.
APPROACH
Fast-Track Development for Startup Success
Understanding the unique pressures facing startups, we deployed our agile, iterative development methodology specifically designed for companies that need to move quickly from idea to market validation. Our approach centered on three critical phases that aligned with Sumura's funding and growth trajectory.
Proof of concept phase
We quickly built a functional prototype to showcase Sumura’s core value: secure, user-friendly e-bike charging. The focus was not just on feasibility, but on making the vision tangible — with secure activation, user authentication, and basic monitoring in place.
MVP development
After securing investor support, we moved fast into MVP development. Together with Sumura, we prioritized the features early users needed most: reliable locking, essential app functionality, and key safety components.
User-centric design
Throughout both phases, we emphasized seamless UX. From onboarding to physical use, every interaction was designed to feel intuitive — a critical factor for adoption in a consumer-facing product.
Our solution
A connected charging ecosystem built for real-world use
The final Sumura solution represents the successful fusion of startup agility with enterprise-grade IoT development. We delivered a comprehensive platform that includes:
Smart charging hardware
A weatherproof, fire-safe charging station that mounts to building facades or bike storage areas, eliminating the need for separate adapters or cables.
Intuitive mobile application
A clean, user-friendly app that allows riders to unlock, and monitor their charging sessions with simple tap-to-use functionality.
Scalable IoT architecture
Built on robust cloud infrastructure that supports everything from individual household installations to large-scale deployments for apartment buildings and corporate campuses.
The Startup Advantage
Working with Sumura reinforced a key insight from our IoT research: startups that prioritize user experience alongside technical innovation achieve significantly higher adoption rates.
According to our IoT Commercialization Report, companies that invest in intuitive UX design see 30% higher product utilization, exactly what Sumura has experienced with their early customer base.
The project exemplifies how the right development partnership can help startups navigate the critical transition from promising concept to market-validated product, setting the foundation for sustainable growth and European expansion.
The RESULT
The iterative development approach delivered measurable outcomes:
- Rapid Market Entry: From initial concept to App Store launch in under 3 months
- Investor Confidence: Successfully secured pre-seed funding
- Customer Adoption: Dozens of active customers across Antwerp and Ghent spanning B2C and B2B markets
- Scalable Foundation: Platform architecture ready for planned European expansion by 2026
Want to learn more about this case?
Get in touch with Pieter.
