A Belgian bet on two-wheeler cargo

Across European cities, the car remains the default for getting around, despite the continent's reputation for walkable streets. That dependence is exactly what a new wave of entrepreneurs is trying to break, and Belgium-based startup Any believes the key is giving two-wheelers the practical carrying capacity of a car — without giving up speed or range.

The company's answer is the LUV1, a modular electric motorcycle that packs cargo-bike levels of storage into a machine that can reach 100 km/h (62 mph). Its 120 liters of capacity is aimed squarely at the gap left by the car trunk.

"It came from asking a simple question: what does a real week actually need? Groceries, weekend bags, suitcases… the stuff you don't want to leave behind just because you're on two wheels, not four," the startup wrote on LinkedIn.

Designed for real life

Any's philosophy, summed up as "designed for real life," drives the LUV1's design. Customers can choose between an open frame or versions with different panel types, depending on whether they need to carry a pet, work equipment, or camping gear. The modularity extends beyond the frame, with optional windshields, racks, rain ponchos, and other variations aimed at commuters, families, and outdoor enthusiasts.

The design is the work of Lowie Vermeersch, the former design director at Pininfarina, whose involvement helped the prototype generate significant attention when it was unveiled in May during Milan Design Week. Vermeersch isn't a hired hand: he leads creative direction at Any and is also an investor.

A new vehicle category

Any is positioning the LUV1 as the first of what it calls "life utility vehicles." The concept is a hybrid between a motorcycle and a cargo bike, with the intent of appealing to riders who might otherwise default to a car for daily errands.

With a starting price of €7,000 (about $8,150), the LUV1 costs less than a car and is in the same ballpark as higher-end electric cargo bikes. It also requires only an A1 license, which is relatively easy to obtain in most places, making it accessible to a wider range of riders than a more powerful motorcycle.

Early reservations and backing

The Milan debut translated into early consumer interest. Any says it secured more than 600 reservations in its first 100 days, according to co-founder and CCO Erik de Winter. Those reservations require a €49 fee ($57) that is credited toward the purchase price and, per Any's terms, is fully refundable.

The startup has also attracted venture capital. It raised €1.5 million in November, followed by a €1.25 million top-up in May, for a total of €2.75 million ($3.2 million). The company's leadership includes former VC Pieter Van de Velde as CEO, and it has hired Alessandro Mangano as head of engineering, whose background includes stints at Aprilia, Ferrari, and Piaggio Group.

Range and competition

The LUV1 is equipped with two swappable batteries that give it a range of up to 87 miles per charge. That puts it in contention with electric models from established manufacturers like Piaggio and even Harley-Davidson, but the market is getting more crowded. The European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers expects the two-wheeler market to be mostly electric by 2030, so Any will need to stand out beyond just being electric.

Any is betting that the cargo capacity is its main differentiator. The company says it has been approached by last-mile delivery players, and it plans to develop a "portfolio of vehicles" that could include a third-wheeler, suggesting ambitions beyond the LUV1 itself.

Scaling up

Before expanding its lineup, Any needs to ramp up production of the LUV1 to meet customer deliveries. That will require more capital, and the startup is now seeking to raise €10 million ($11.65 million) or more in a Series A round that it hopes to close by the end of the year.

The company's progress so far, from reservations to funding, indicates that there is appetite for a vehicle that bridges the gap between cars and traditional motorcycles. But whether that appetite translates into sustained production and market share remains to be seen.

Why it matters

If Any succeeds, it could help shift urban mobility away from cars by offering a practical alternative for the daily haul of groceries, work gear, and family items. The startup's focus on cargo space and modularity suggests that the future of two-wheelers may not just be about speed or range, but about how much they can carry. For commuters and families, that could make the switch to electric two-wheelers a more viable option, reducing reliance on cars in cities. The coming months will test whether the LUV1 can deliver on its promise and whether Any can scale beyond its initial design.