Back Impact Entrepreneurship at INSEAD: Evrim Taskiran MBA’18D’s Journey with Cyclecure Evrim Taskiran MBA’18D Share INSEAD fosters a dynamic entrepreneurship ecosystem that has been instrumental in nurturing impact-driven entrepreneurs like Evrim Taskiran MBA’18D. Evrim has leveraged the resources and networks provided by INSEAD to make significant strides in sustainable urban mobility through his venture, Cyclecure. Evrim's journey is a testament to the robust entrepreneurial support system at INSEAD. “INSEAD gave me all the business acumen, holistically, to be able to run a company, compared to being an engineer with a limited scope in a large organization.” The school's focus on sustainability and innovation, coupled with its strong alumni network, played a pivotal role in its development. Before venturing into the entrepreneurial world, Evrim had a rich background in engineering and robotics. "I started my career in the robotics field as a researcher," he shares. After spending years in automotive R&D, Evrim sought a change. The booming micromobility sector in 2018, characterized by the rise of e-bikes and e-scooters, sparked his interest. "I wanted to take an active part in the urban mobility space," he says. Evrim’s entrepreneurial journey began with Antler, an accelerator program popular among INSEAD students. "I joined Antler to transition from being labelled a 'corporate person' to an entrepreneur," he explains. This program was a critical steppingstone, helping him and his co-founders brainstorm viable business models in the urban mobility sector. Cyclecure emerged with a focus on sustainability, particularly the circularity of e-scooters and e-bikes. Initially, Cyclecure adopted a subscription model for e-scooters, aiming to maximize the utilisation of devices by extending their lifespan by maintaining and keeping them in good condition. "We had this subscription model that ran for almost three years," Evrim notes. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Evrim’s resilience led to a significant opportunity: acquiring 2,500 e-scooters from a sharing operator that was winding down operations. This move allowed Cyclecure to master the art of large-scale refurbishing and e-commerce. Running a small team of 12-14 employees, Cyclecure has managed to create a significant impact. "We are doing a huge amount with quite a small team," Evrim states. The company’s efforts have not only reduced electronic waste but also provided employment opportunities to individuals distanced from the job market. Repaired 10000+ devices, Refurbished 4000+ units, Reused tons of components, including 1000+ batteries from decommissioned devices, Recycled 15+ tons of metal and electronic components. Cyclecure has also undertaken the challenging task of refurbishing and reselling or donating hundreds of bikes from the thousands left behind at stations in Gent. In addition, they are trying to find clients for fleets that became obsolete once their operators went out of business. These efforts highlight Cyclecure's commitment to sustainability and innovation. Despite the progress, Evrim acknowledges the difficulties faced by impact entrepreneurs. Events like ChangeNow offer exposure but there are still challenges in generating immediate business opportunities. Nonetheless, Evrim values the connections and awareness these events create. For current INSEAD students considering a similar path, Evrim offers valuable insights. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on sectors with long-term viability, such as energy or textiles. "The cycles of these hypes that used to be like five to 10 years are now one to two years," he observes. INSEAD's role extends beyond education, with initiatives like ChangeNow and funding opportunities from Loyal VC providing crucial support. "Loyal VC has been very supportive, treating us more like an impact fund," Evrim says. This support underscores the solidarity within the INSEAD alumni network, fostering a community where entrepreneurial ventures can thrive. Evrim’s story with Cyclecure is a shining example of how INSEAD's entrepreneurship ecosystem nurtures and propels impact-driven ventures. Through resilience and innovation, Evrim continues to champion sustainable urban mobility, embodying the spirit of an INSEAD impact entrepreneur. Share Related Content Faculty and Research Addressing Global Challenges: The Impact of INSEAD's Research Initiatives and Support Read more Scholarships From Scholarships to Philanthropy: Abdurrahman Joomye MBA’24J’s Journey of Giving Back Read more Entrepreneurship & Innovation Empowering Vision: Luca Verre MBA’14J from INSEAD to innovating silicon retina technology Read more