Glafit

What Glafit does

Glafit (glafit株式会社) is a Wakayama-headquartered Japanese electric mobility manufacturer founded in 2017 that designs, develops, and sells road-legal electric vehicles and the software platforms around them. Its product portfolio centers on three vehicle families: the NFR-01 series of specified small motorized bicycles (the license-free Pro+, Pro, and Lite models) targeting commuters and seniors under Japan's 2023 road traffic framework; the GFR-02 pedal-assisted Type-1 motorized bicycle equipped with the patented Mobichen (Mobility Category Changer) system, which enables legal switching between electric motorcycle and bicycle classifications; and the LOM standing electric kickboard, currently deprioritized in favor of GFR-02 production. Differentiated hardware is complemented by the glafit Ride Start System mobile app (eKYC verification, traffic-rule testing, compulsory insurance registration, NFC/Suica smart lock), 4G LTE IoT connectivity on the Pro+ model, and the WANDERIDE electric micro-sharing platform for B2B operators.

Glafit makes money through four revenue streams: (1) hardware sales of vehicles and accessories via its shop.glafit.com e-commerce site, a nationwide network of approximately 500 dealers and maintenance shops, and a Tokyo test-ride branch; (2) accessories and service parts (rear carriers, batteries, chargers, helmets, bags); (3) licensing of the WANDERIDE micro-sharing platform to businesses, municipalities, and facility operators; and (4) recurring IoT subscription fees (980 yen/month, 3,980 yen/6 months, or 6,000 yen/year) for the NFR-01 Pro+ 4G LTE service after an initial ~20-month free period. Vehicles are priced ¥187,000–¥308,000 with Paidy installment options and are certified by JATA and JEMPA for road legality.

The company primarily serves individual Japanese consumers seeking low-cost, license-free urban mobility (commuting, errands, post-driver's-license-surrender transportation), and increasingly serves enterprises and municipalities via WANDERIDE deployments and corporate fleets. Named adopters include Wakayama City Government (GFR-02 as official vehicles), Wakanoura Onsen Manpa Resort (WANDERIDE trial), and Grameenphone (Bangladesh IoT partnership). Yamaha Motor, Tokyo Century, and corporate VCs including Aisin CVC and Pegasus Tech Ventures are among disclosed backers.

Name

Glafit

Legal name

glafit株式会社

Website

https://glafit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Glafit is a Wakayama-based Japanese manufacturer of road-legal electric mobility vehicles, including the NFR-01 e-cycle series, the GFR-02 dual-mode electric motorcycle/bicycle with the patented Mobichen system, and the WANDERIDE electric micro-sharing platform for businesses, municipalities, and consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Personal Mobility Vehicles

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)

akta.pro primary industry

E-Mopeds & Light Electric Motorbikes (Consumer) (CRACASAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

E-Bikes & Electric Bicycles (CRACASAA), Shared Mopeds/Motorbike Share (TLAFAMAH), E-bikes & E-cargo Bikes Manufacturing (IMACAOAA), E-Mobility Connectivity, Apps & Anti-Theft Tracking (consumer devices/services) (CRACASAM)

Keywords

• Electric mobility vehicles
• Electric bicycles manufacturing
• Electric motorcycles Japan
• Mobility category changer
• Electric kickboards

Headquarters

HQ city

Wakayama

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Electric Vehicle Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling electric motorcycles, electric cycles, and electric kickboards. Products include NFR-01 Pro (4G LTE and standard models), NFR-01 Lite, GFR-02 (with and without Mobichen), and LOM. Sales through direct e-commerce and dealer network.
2. Accessories and Parts: Revenue from selling optional accessories such as rear carriers, folding bags, bike covers, replacement batteries, USB chargers, smartphone holders, and service parts for all product lines.
3. WANDERIDE Platform Licensing: Revenue from licensing the WANDERIDE electric micro-sharing platform to businesses, municipalities, and facility operators for deploying shared electric mobility services.
4. IoT Communication Services: Monthly subscription fees for 4G LTE communication services on NFR-01 Pro+ model after initial free period (approximately 20 months). Options: 980 yen/month, 3,980 yen/6 months, or 6,000 yen/year.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Glafit designs, manufactures, and sells road-legal electric personal mobility vehicles in Japan, including license-free specified small motorized bicycles (NFR-01 Pro, Pro+, Lite), a Type-1 electric motorized bicycle with patented Mobichen dual-mode switching (GFR-02), and a standing electric kickboard (LOM). Beyond hardware, the company operates the WANDERIDE micro-sharing platform for B2B customers and licenses its Mobichen technology, supported by a nationwide dealer network of approximately 500 stores and direct e-commerce sales.

Product overview

Glafit is a Japanese electric mobility manufacturer producing a portfolio of road-legal electric bikes and electric kickboards, headquartered in Wakayama Prefecture. Its product lineup comprises three main vehicle families: the NFR-01 series of electric cycles (specified small motorized bicycles, license-free for ages 16+), the GFR-02 as a pedal-assisted Type-1 motorized bicycle with an optional Mobichen (Mobility Category Changer) system enabling legal dual-mode operation as both an electric motorcycle and a bicycle, and the LOM standing electric scooter. The company also operates the WANDERIDE electric micro-sharing platform and the glafit Ride Start System smartphone app for vehicle registration and smart locking. The portfolio is supported by a nationwide dealer and maintenance network of approximately 500 stores, with accessories including batteries, carriers, chargers, helmets, and carrying bags sold across the product families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NFR-01 Pro+ (4G LTE Model) High-specification electric cycle (specified small motorized bicycle) with 500W rated output, 48V 9.6Ah battery, 46km range, and built-in 4G LTE IoT technology enabling smartphone-based remote vehicle management, NFC/Suica smart lock, GPS tracking, and battery remaining-range prediction. Priced at 297,000 yen (tax included) with 2-year warranty.
• NFR-01 Pro (Standard Model) Electric cycle (specified small motorized bicycle) with 500W rated output, 48V 9.6Ah battery, 46km range, and wire-lock security system. Shares high-power motor and battery specifications with the Pro+ model but without 4G LTE IoT connectivity, offered at a lower price point of 249,700 yen (tax included).
• NFR-01 Lite Entry-level electric cycle (specified small motorized bicycle) with 350W rated output, 36V 7.8Ah battery, 33km range, and adjustable seat/handlebar heights. Designed as an affordable everyday mobility option at 187,000 yen (tax included) targeting casual users, families, and those new to electric mobility. Available in 12-month installment payments (~16,317 yen/month).
• GFR-02 Pedal-assisted Type-1 motorized bicycle with patented Mobility Category Changer (Mobichen) system allowing legal switching between electric motorcycle and bicycle modes. Features 0.25kW motor, 36V 9.6Ah battery, 30km/h top speed, foldable ~19kg body, optional Mobichen attachment, and Yubi Lock fingerprint authentication (up to 20 fingerprints). Priced at 308,000 yen (with Mobichen) or 275,000 yen (standard).
• LOM Standing-type electric sports scooter (electric kickboard) categorized as a Type-1 motorized bicycle, marketed as combining the fun of mastering control with a refreshing ride. Currently in production-resource concentration phase due to high GFR-02 demand and listed as 'COMING SOON'.
• Mobility Category Changer (Mobichen) Patented add-on system (Patents: Nos. 6806398, 6814501, 6829511, 6906831, 7044286) installed on GFR-02 enabling legally recognized switching between electric motorcycle and bicycle modes. Requires physical two-hand operation (engine off), electronic lock, and physical lock release to prevent misuse. Approved by Japan's National Police Agency as the first vehicle type to legally switch categories.
• WANDERIDE Platform Electric micro-sharing platform operated by Glafit that enables municipalities, businesses, and facility operators to deploy electric bikes as a shared mobility service. Combined with leasing and financial services from Fuyo Auto Lease and Sharp Finance to eliminate upfront purchase costs.
• glafit Ride Start System (Mobile App) Proprietary smartphone application required for NFR-01 series vehicles that manages vehicle registration, age verification via LIQUID eKYC, mandatory traffic rules testing, compulsory insurance documentation, and wire/smart lock control. Reduces delivery time by automating registration steps that previously required dealer coordination. Available on iOS (13.4+) and Android (8+).
• GFR-02 Accessories (Rear Carrier, Folding Carry Bag LG, Bike Cover, Smartphone Holder, Dedicated Battery) Range of officially supported GFR-02 accessories: rear-mounted cargo carrier (14,300 yen), folding soft carry bag for transport on public transit and in trunks (12,100 yen), protective bike cover (7,700 yen), handlebar smartphone holder for navigation, and a spare lithium-ion battery pack (68,200 yen) supporting 2-way (on-vehicle or off-vehicle) charging.
• NFR-01 Accessories (Front Basket, Rear Carrier, USB Charger, Dedicated Battery, Helmet) Range of officially supported NFR-01 accessories including front basket (max load 5kg), rear carrier (max load 10kg), dual-port USB-A/USB-C on-board charger drawing from the vehicle battery, spare battery packs, and the CANVAS URBAN matte-black helmet (sizes M/L, 57-60cm) for specified small motorized bicycle use.
• 4G LTE IoT Communication Service Optional recurring communication subscription for the NFR-01 Pro+ 4G LTE model: monthly 980 yen, 6-month 3,980 yen, or annual 6,000 yen. Provides 4G LTE connectivity enabling smartphone-based vehicle management, battery status monitoring, GPS location tracking, and remote lock/unlock via NFC (IC tags and Suica). First ~20 months included free for NFR-01 Pro+ owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Electricity cost of approximately 3.5 yen per 10km compared to 36 yen for 50cc gasoline mopeds (90% reduction)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered major.

• Fuyo Auto Lease (芙蓉オートリース)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Partnership to promote electric microsharing services using Glafit's WANDERIDE platform combined with Fuyo Auto Lease's leasing services. Collaboration aims to eliminate upfront purchase costs by offering affordable monthly leasing for electric bikes, targeting businesses, municipalities, and facility operators. Expected to expand WANDERIDE's market adoption.
• Sharp Finance (シャープファイナンス)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Partnership to promote electric microsharing services using Glafit's WANDERIDE platform combined with Sharp Finance's financial services. Collaboration aims to eliminate upfront purchase costs by offering affordable monthly leasing for electric bikes, targeting businesses, municipalities, and facility operators.
• GrameenphonemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2025Strategic partnership between Grameenphone (Bangladesh's leading telecommunications provider) and Glafit Bangladesh to advance electric mobility in Bangladesh. The collaboration integrates Grameenphone's ALO Connect M2M IoT platform with Glafit's electric mobility technologies to establish smart battery exchange stations and introduce IoT-enabled smart meters for electric motorcycles and scooters. Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Yamaha Motor: Japan-headquartered global manufacturer of motorcycles, e-bikes (PAS series), and small electric mobility vehicles. Direct overlap with Glafit on electric cycles/mopeds and also a Glafit investor, making it both the largest incumbent competitor and a strategic backer.
• Honda Motor: Japanese mobility giant producing motorcycles (including electric concepts like EM1 e:), e-bikes, and small electric commuter vehicles targeted at urban Japan. Overlaps with Glafit's electric motorcycle and specified small motorized bicycle categories.
• BRP / Rotax (e-mobility): Global powersports and small electric mobility conglomerate (Rotax drivetrain). Broad incumbent in compact electric drivetrains that supply e-bike and small electric vehicle OEMs in the same Glafit category.

Direct peers

• TERRA MOTORS: Tokyo-based electric two-wheeler startup focused on electric mopeds and scooters for Japan and emerging Asia. Closest head-to-head direct peer to Glafit's GFR-02 and NFR-01 category-switching proposition.
• NIU Technologies: China-headquartered listed smart electric scooter/moped manufacturer with global IoT-enabled product line. Direct competitor to Glafit's electric moped lineup on hardware, connectivity, and dealer distribution in Asia.
• Gogoro: Taiwan-based electric scooter OEM with battery-swapping network and extensive IoT/connected platform features. Closely comparable to Glafit's smart electric moped plus WANDERIDE platform model.
• VanMoof: Premium Dutch e-bike maker with integrated IoT, app-based anti-theft, and a direct-to-consumer model. Conceptually analogous to Glafit's NFR-01 Pro+ 4G LTE smart lock and app-controlled electric bicycle.
• Cowboy: Belgium-based connected e-bike brand with smartphone-integrated riding, GPS tracking, and theft detection. Comparable to Glafit on the smart electric bicycle proposition rather than on the motorcycle side.
• Tier Mobility: European shared micro-mobility operator (e-scooters and e-bikes). Comparable as a B2B/B2G shared mobility platform for municipalities and facility operators - the same use case Glafit targets with WANDERIDE.
• Lime: Global shared e-bike and e-scooter operator with city-level municipal deployments. Comparable business model on the WANDERIDE shared mobility platform side targeting hotels, resorts, and municipalities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/glafit_official
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/glafit
• Facebookfacebook.com/glafit
• Instagraminstagram.com/enjoy_glafit
• TikToktiktok.com/@glafit_official

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors8 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Glafit