British folding bike manufacturer Brompton has sold a stake in the business to France’s Decathlon and Chinese venture capital firm BA Capital as it looks to expand into overseas markets.
Decathlon, via its investment arm Decathlon Pulse, has acquired a 10 percent stake in the business, while BA Capital, a Shanghai-based investor best known for backing Labubu maker Pop Mart and Laopu Gold, the luxury jewelry brand based in China, acquired a 5 percent stake.
Founder Andrew Ritchie remains the largest shareholder, while Will Butler-Adams, Brompton’s CEO since 2008, also holds a stake.
The fresh capital is expected to allow staff and long-term investors to “realize cash from the sale of shares and bring in market and technology expertise from the new backers while preserving the brand’s independence, identity and operational model.” The partnership is also expected to “accelerate growth in Germany and China,” which have emerged as the company’s biggest markets in recent years as the firm pulled back from a more cautious United States. The company is also expected to support expansion in e- bikes; a category Brompton entered in 2017.
Butler-Adams said, “For over fifty years, Brompton has been dedicated to helping people move around cities in a way that is simpler, more flexible and more enjoyable. As demand for smarter and more sustainable urban transport continues to grow, we see a tremendous opportunity ahead. Decathlon Pulse and BA Capital bring complementary expertise, global networks and a shared belief in our mission. We are excited to welcome them as long-term partners as we continue to grow while staying true to who we are.”
As part of the deal, select Brompton models will be introduced through dedicated “Brompton corners” in select Decathlon stores.
Franck Vigo, CEO of Decathlon Pulse, added, “We are very pleased to partner with Brompton. What convinced us goes beyond the product: we share the same values, a strong culture of quality, and a long-term vision of sustainable urban mobility. Brompton embodies a unique combination of performance, durability and community engagement that perfectly complements our approach. This partnership is about scaling that model while preserving what makes Brompton truly unique.”
Irwin Wouts, cycling sports general manager at Decathlon, said, “Brompton is a natural complement to Decathlon’s offer, bringing a premium positioning within a rapidly growing urban mobility segment. Together, we can better address a wider range of use cases and customer profiles in a very coherent and complementary way.
Michael Zhang, managing partner of BA Capital, said, “Brompton pioneered the folding bicycle category and has become an iconic urban cycling brand. Through decades of innovation, craftsmanship, and design, it has built a globally recognized brand. The rise of experience-driven consumption is reshaping China’s consumer market. As health awareness grows and outdoor lifestyles gain momentum, cycling is expanding beyond sport into everyday occasions such as commuting, travel, and social activities.”
Image courtesy Brompton
