UNIT 1
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersWilmington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
UNIT 1 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- UNIT 1
- Legal name
- Unit 1 Gear, Inc.
- Website
- https://unit1gear.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
UNIT 1 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Cycling Helmets
- NAICS
- Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)
- SIC
- Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Safety, Lighting & Security Hardware Manufacturing (Helmets/Lights/Locks) (IMACAOAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC), Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH)
Keywords
Where UNIT 1 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wilmington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
UNIT 1 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Smart Helmets: Primary revenue stream from sale of smart helmets (AURA, FARO, NEON, SPARKY) with varying price points from $110 to $260+ depending on model and features
- Smart Accessories: Sale of complementary products including Smart Lights ($90-$175), Remote ($39.90), TORCH Backpack ($170), and various helmet accessories
- Crash Replacement Coverage: Optional premium and unlimited crash replacement coverage plans offered at checkout (Premium $20, Unlimited $70)
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | AURA Mips - Performance helmet with full smart features |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | FARO Mips - Urban style helmet with hidden RGB lights |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | FARO - Urban style helmet without MIPS |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | NEON - Essential visibility smart helmet |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SPARKY - Kids smart helmet |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smart Light - Versatile bike light |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | UNIT 1 Remote - Turn signal and brake light controller |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TORCH Backpack - 23L commuter backpack with light mount |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Crash Replacement Coverage Plans |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Helmet Accessories |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
UNIT 1 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
UNIT 1 designs and sells smart cycling helmets and connected accessories for bikes, e-bikes, and scooters. Its core offerings are the AURA, NEON, FARO, and SPARKY smart helmets, each integrating LED lighting, turn signals, automatic brake lights, and accelerometer-based crash detection with SOS alerts via a Bluetooth-connected mobile app. The company complements these helmets with the magnetic Smart Light, the handlebar Remote, the TORCH commuter backpack, and replacement accessories sold primarily direct-to-consumer through its e-commerce storefront.
Product overview
UNIT 1 is a smart mobility safety company offering an integrated ecosystem of smart helmets and accessories for bikes, e-bikes, and scooters. The core product portfolio includes four smart helmets: AURA (premium performance), NEON (urban essential), FARO (style-focused urban), and SPARKY (kids). These helmets integrate with Smart Lights, the UNIT 1 Remote, and TORCH Backpack—all controllable through the UNIT 1 App via Bluetooth. Key safety features include integrated lights, turn signals, automatic brake lights, crash detection with SOS alerts, and MIPS rotational impact protection. Accessories include helmet visors, charging accessories, and protective gear.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- AURA Smart Helmet Premium performance smart helmet with MIPS rotational impact protection, integrated front and rear LED lights, turn signals, automatic brake lights, and accelerometer-based crash detection with SOS alerts. NTA-8776 e-bike certified for speeds up to 45 km/h and ranked #1 Smart Helmet by Virginia Tech with a STAR Value Score of 9.01.
- NEON Smart Helmet Affordable, lightweight urban smart helmet with integrated rear RGB light, turn signals, automatic brake lights, and crash detection with SOS alerts. NTA-8776, CPSC, EN-1078, AS/NZS 1698:2006, CE, REACH, and RoHS compliant. Ranked #2 Smart Helmet by Virginia Tech.
- FARO Smart Helmet Award-winning urban smart helmet with hidden RGB LED lighting integrated behind the fabric surface, optional MIPS protection, crash detection, and turn signals. ABS shell construction for enhanced durability. Won the Red Dot Design Award (2022) and iF Gold Design Award (2023).
- SPARKY Junior Smart Helmet Kids smart helmet for ages 3-9 with touch-controlled RGB rear light (customizable colors and animations) and NFC Safety ID for first-responder access to emergency contact info without a phone or app. CPSC and EN-1078 certified with adjustable fit system.
- Smart Light Compact magnetic-mount bike light that twists from front white to rear red mode. 100 lumens output, turn signals, automatic brake lights, IP67 water resistance, and up to 32 hours battery life. Connects to the UNIT 1 Remote for synchronized signaling. FCC and RED 2014/53/EU certified.
- TORCH Backpack 23-liter commuter backpack with built-in magnetic Smart Light mount, clamshell design, dual laptop sleeves, wet/dry separation, and water-repellent 500D Cordura construction.
- UNIT 1 Remote Handlebar-mounted remote control that enables turn signals and automatic brake lights across all UNIT 1 smart devices. IPX-6 waterproofing and over 30 hours of battery life. Priced at $39.90.
- Helmet Visor Magnetic Speed Visor for AURA and NEON helmets, available in Clear, Tinted, and Photochromic (adaptive) options. Attaches via five internal magnets and detaches safely upon impact.
- Crash Replacement Coverage Plans Optional one-time-fee crash replacement coverage plans sold at checkout. Premium Coverage ($20) provides 70% off replacements for 36 months; Unlimited Coverage ($70) provides free replacements for the coverage period.
- Winter Liner Insulating liner accessory for cold-weather riding that adds warmth to UNIT 1 smart helmets. Priced at $39.90.
- Bug Net Mesh accessory that fits into helmet vents to prevent bugs from entering while riding. Priced at $29.90.
- Rain Plugs for NEON Silicone inserts that seal the NEON helmet's top vents to prevent water entry and reduce ventilation in cold or rainy weather. Priced at $12.90.
- Smart Light Mount Pack Pack of magnetic mounts for attaching Smart Lights to various locations including saddle, handlebar, backpack strap, helmet, and TORCH backpack.
- UNIT 1 Gift Card Digital gift cards available in denominations from $25 to $1,000 for purchasing UNIT 1 products.
Quantifiable outcome
- AURA ranked #1 Smart Helmet by Virginia Tech out of 282+ helmets tested with STAR Value Score of 9.01
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use UNIT 1
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
UNIT 1 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
UNIT 1 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered regional, flagship, core and minor.
- IntercycleregionalSwiss specialist retailer partnership to expand distribution of smart helmets, smart lights, and connected urban mobility gear through Swiss market.
- ViialaflagshipExclusive smart helmet engineering partnership for world's most advanced electric bicycle. Co-developed specialized helmet integration for Viiala e-bikes.
- KalkhoffcoreStrategic partnership with Germany's most established e-bike manufacturer to promote safer urban riding. Partnership announced November 2025 in Madrid.
- PUKYcoreGermany's iconic kids' bike brand partnership to launch SPARKY smart helmet for children. Co-branded editions debuted at EUROBIKE 2025.
- ÄikeminorCollaboration with Äike scooter combining award-winning products from both brands to create enhanced riding experience.
- StromerflagshipWorld-first partnership connecting an e-bike with a smart helmet for seamless integrated riding experience. Announced connected riding experience combining Stromer e-bikes with UNIT 1 helmets.
- HKSMcorePartnership with world's best helmet manufacturer to deliver next generation of helmets. Enables premium manufacturing quality and scale.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
UNIT 1 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lumos: Lumos is the most direct competitor to UNIT 1, offering smart bike helmets with integrated LED turn signals, brake lights, and a handlebar remote. Its positioning around urban commuter visibility and crash-relevant electronics overlaps UNIT 1's core feature set and target buyer.
- Sena: Sena makes Bluetooth-communicating smart helmets for cycling, motorcycling, and snow sports with integrated intercom and audio features. Like UNIT 1, it combines consumer helmet hardware with embedded connectivity, but its heritage and product depth sit more in motorcycling.
Broad incumbents
- POC: POC is a premium Swedish helmet and protection brand with deep cycling penetration and overlapping safety/tech positioning; its scale, retailer relationships, and WHIM MIPS-integrated products make it the incumbent UNIT 1 most needs to displace at the premium end of the market.
- ABUS: ABUS is a long-standing German manufacturer of bike helmets, locks, and lights with deep European retail distribution; its broad mobility-security portfolio overlaps UNIT 1's combined helmet-plus-light offering at the mid-market tier.
- KASK: KASK is a premium Italian helmet brand with strong cycling, skiing, and industrial portfolios; it competes with UNIT 1 for premium urban and e-bike rider share via design-led positioning.
- Giro Sport Design: Giro is one of the largest cycling helmet brands globally, with broad product lines sold through mass cycling retail; any Giro push into smart lighting or crash detection would directly challenge UNIT 1's technological differentiation.
- Specialized Bicycle Components: Specialized owns premium e-bike brands (Turbo, Globe) that UNIT 1 could integrate with or be displaced by; its in-house helmet line (e.g., Angi crash-detection system) competes head-on with UNIT 1's active safety features.
Emerging players
- Hövding: Hövding invented the airbag-style cycling collar as an alternative to a traditional helmet; it represents an emerging, tech-forward alternative to UNIT 1's electronic helmet approach in the same urban-cycling safety category.
- Coros: Coros produces connected wearables and helmets for endurance athletes with crash detection and app integration; its technology stack and consumer-brand DNA place it as a credible emerging player overlapping UNIT 1's safety-tech ambitions.
Regional players
- Sweet Protection: Sweet Protection is a Norwegian premium helmet brand with strong cycling and action-sports distribution in Northern Europe; it competes with UNIT 1 for design-conscious urban cyclists but lacks integrated smart features today.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
UNIT 1 social profiles
Digital presenceUNIT 1 compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance17 records
UNIT 1 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
UNIT 1 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
UNIT 1 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
UNIT 1 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about UNIT 1
What does UNIT 1 do?
UNIT 1 designs and sells smart cycling helmets and connected accessories for bikes, e-bikes, and scooters. Its core offerings are the AURA, NEON, FARO, and SPARKY smart helmets, each integrating LED lighting, turn signals, automatic brake lights, and accelerometer-based crash detection with SOS alerts via a Bluetooth-connected mobile app. The company complements these helmets with the magnetic Smart Light, the handlebar Remote, the TORCH commuter backpack, and replacement accessories sold primarily direct-to-consumer through its e-commerce storefront.
Is UNIT 1 a public or private company?
UNIT 1 is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was UNIT 1 founded?
UNIT 1 was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is UNIT 1 based?
UNIT 1 is headquartered in Wilmington, United States, in the North America region.
How does UNIT 1 make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Smart Helmets are the primary driver. The others are smart Accessories and crash Replacement Coverage.
Who are UNIT 1's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lumos and Sena. Broad incumbents are POC, ABUS, KASK, Giro Sport Design and Specialized Bicycle Components. Emerging players are Hövding and Coros. Sweet Protection is listed as a regional player.
Does UNIT 1 have an API?
No public API is recorded for UNIT 1.
What industry is UNIT 1 in?
UNIT 1's product category is Smart Cycling Helmets. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAOAJ, Safety, Lighting & Security Hardware Manufacturing (Helmets/Lights/Locks), with a secondary code of CRAMAHAC, Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail. Its NAICS code is 336991 and its SIC code is 3751.