RISER
RISER (now Cardo Ride) is a Vienna-based mobile platform, owned by Cardo Systems, that provides motorcycle-specific navigation, ride tracking, social community, and equipment management for individual motorcyclists worldwide via a freemium app with a PRO subscription.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersVienna, Austria
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What RISER does
RISER GmbH, operating commercially as Cardo Ride since its 2024 rebrand under parent company Cardo Systems, is a Vienna-based mobile software platform purpose-built for motorcyclists. The core product is a freemium iOS and Android application that combines motorcycle-specific turn-by-turn navigation and route planning (including round-trip suggestion and GPX/roadbook export), ride tracking with statistics, a Garage feature for managing bikes, helmets, intercoms, and service intervals, and a social/community layer with global challenges, group rides, and an ambassador program across multiple languages. The platform claims a community of over 1 million riders worldwide and integrates with Cardo's motorcycle communication hardware, positioning navigation and intercom functionality as a combined ecosystem.
The company monetizes through a free base app and a paid PRO subscription that unlocks advanced statistics and features, supplemented by app-store distribution and a dedicated Route Planner tool. Go-to-market is product-led and community-led: the app is self-serve via the Apple App Store and Google Play, supported by content marketing through the Cardo Ride Journal, an ambassador network spanning multiple countries, and recurring brand-partnered challenges with OEMs such as KTM, Arai, and Husqvarna. No venture funding, institutional investors, or revenue figures are disclosed; RISER operates as a wholly-owned strategic subsidiary of Cardo with a headcount of 1–10.
Operationally, RISER has continued product investment throughout 2024–2026 (Garage expansion, groups rework, reWind 3D map, rebrand) while shifting its identity from an independent app to the digital front end of Cardo's rider ecosystem. The business model and customer footprint remain concentrated on individual consumer riders globally, with no enterprise segment, and the long-term strategic role appears to be hardware-software ecosystem leverage for Cardo rather than standalone software scale.
RISER firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RISER
- Legal name
- RISER GmbH
- Website
- https://riserapp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- RISER (now Cardo Ride) is a Vienna-based mobile platform, owned by Cardo Systems, that provides motorcycle-specific navigation, ride tracking, social community, and equipment management for individual motorcyclists worldwide via a freemium app with a PRO subscription.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
RISER industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Motorcycle Navigation Software
- akta.pro primary industry
- Consumer Navigation & Turn-by-Turn Apps (BPAMANAA)
Keywords
Where RISER is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vienna
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
RISER business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Freemium App Model: The core RISER app is free to download with basic features. Users can upgrade to PRO subscription for advanced features including enhanced statistics, route planning tools, and exclusive content.
- PRO Subscription: Subscription-based revenue from PRO membership offering enhanced riding statistics, improved user experience, and additional features.
- App Store Distribution: Revenue from mobile app distribution through Apple's App Store and Google Play Store.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free basic access to the platform with core navigation and community features. |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
RISER product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RISER (now branded as Cardo Ride) is a mobile application for motorcyclists that delivers motorcycle-specific turn-by-turn navigation, route planning, ride tracking, and a social community for riders to share trips, photos, and routes. The app operates on a freemium model with a free base tier and a paid PRO subscription unlocking advanced statistics and planning tools, and it is distributed globally via iOS and Android app stores.
Product overview
RISER (now Cardo Ride) is a motorcycle-specific mobile application platform consisting of a core navigation and social app, a premium PRO subscription tier, a dedicated Route Planner tool, and the Cardo Ride Journal content platform. The ecosystem includes a Garage feature for equipment management. The company operates on a freemium model with a free base app and paid PRO subscription, and has rebranded from RISER to Cardo Ride following acquisition by Cardo Systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Cardo Ride (formerly RISER) mobile app A motorcycle-specific navigation and social mobile app for individual motorcyclists that provides turn-by-turn navigation, motorcycle-specific routing, GPX export, group rides, challenges, and a 3D map with reWind highlights, available on iOS and Android.
- Cardo Ride PRO subscription Premium subscription tier of the Cardo Ride app offering advanced features including enhanced riding statistics, improved user experience, route planning tools, and exclusive content for individual motorcyclists.
- Route Planner A dedicated route planning tool that allows individual motorcyclists to plan motorcycle-specific routes and navigation paths via the web.
- Cardo Ride Journal A biker blog and content platform associated with the Cardo Ride app, featuring articles about motorcycle tours, bike reviews, ambassador stories, and community content for the motorcycle audience.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1 million riders worldwide on the platform
Companies that use RISER
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
RISER technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
RISER partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- KTMcoreKTM partnered with RISER for the 1290 KM Challenge in August, inviting riders worldwide to track 1290 km with the app and share their journey to win exclusive prizes. KTM also sponsored the World Adventure Week challenge where riders could win a KTM 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE S.
- Arai HelmetsminorRISER partnered with Arai Helmets for a US-only challenge to connect the motorcycle community and elevate riding experiences. Both brands, known for quality and innovation, joined forces to engage riders.
- Husqvarna MotorcyclesminorRISER features content related to Husqvarna motorcycles, including reviews and articles about new models like the Vitpilen 801 and Norden 901 concepts.
- Dudes of DustcoreRISER collaborates with Dudes of Dust, a motorcycle adventure tour company founded by former ambassador Tom Possod. The partnership enables riders to track their rally rankings in the RISER app and relive adventures. Dudes of Dust organizes international rallies including Heart of Europe, Balkan Rally, Tunisia Rally, Morocco Rally, and Dakar Rally. RISER users receive a 5% discount on Dudes of Dust adventures using code 'RISER-2024'.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RISER competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- TomTom GO Mobile: TomTom is a major navigation brand offering turn-by-turn apps and maps used by motorcyclists. It is a broad incumbent in navigation rather than motorcycle-specialized, but competes for the same rider-navigation use case.
- Strava: Strava is a large social-fitness network with ride tracking, segments, and community features used by many motorcyclists. It is not motorcycle-specialized but competes for the social/ride-tracking engagement layer.
- Garmin (motorcycle GPS): Garmin produces dedicated motorcycle GPS units and the zumo line, offering turn-by-turn navigation built for riders. It is the established hardware incumbent in motorcycle navigation and competes for the touring-rider segment.
- Waze: Waze is a community-driven GPS navigation app offering free turn-by-turn directions. It competes with Cardo Ride on free navigation and is widely used by motorcyclists despite lacking motorcycle-specific routing.
- Google Maps: Google Maps is the dominant free turn-by-turn navigation app globally. While not motorcycle-specialized, it sets the floor for free navigation and increasingly adds features that overlap with Cardo Ride's core offering.
Direct peers
- Calimoto: Calimoto is a motorcycle-specific navigation and route-planning app that emphasizes curvy and scenic routing. It targets the same individual motorcycle enthusiast use case as Cardo Ride and is the closest direct competitor in Europe.
- Rever (Harley-Davidson): Rever is a motorcycle ride-tracking, route-sharing, and social app acquired by Harley-Davidson. It mirrors Cardo Ride's combination of navigation, ride logging, and community for motorcyclists, though with a Harley-centric user base.
- Scenic Motorcycle Touring App: Scenic is a motorcycle touring and navigation app focused on finding winding, less-traveled routes. It targets the same adventure/touring rider persona with overlapping navigation and ride-tracking functionality.
- Kurviger: Kurviger is a motorcycle route planner offering curvy-road routing and turn-by-turn navigation, with web and mobile apps. It directly competes with Cardo Ride's Route Planner and core navigation features.
Emerging players
- Komoot: Komoot is a route-planning and navigation app for outdoor activities including hiking and cycling, with growing motorcycling use. It competes for the same outdoor-navigation wallet share and offers community-driven route content.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
RISER social profiles
Digital presenceRISER financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RISER leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
RISER funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RISER 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 RISER
What does RISER do?
RISER (now branded as Cardo Ride) is a mobile application for motorcyclists that delivers motorcycle-specific turn-by-turn navigation, route planning, ride tracking, and a social community for riders to share trips, photos, and routes. The app operates on a freemium model with a free base tier and a paid PRO subscription unlocking advanced statistics and planning tools, and it is distributed globally via iOS and Android app stores.
Is RISER a public or private company?
RISER is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was RISER founded?
RISER was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is RISER based?
RISER is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does RISER make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Freemium App Model is the primary driver. The others are PRO Subscription and app Store Distribution.
Who are RISER's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are TomTom GO Mobile, Strava, Garmin (motorcycle GPS), Waze and Google Maps. Direct peers are Calimoto, Rever (Harley-Davidson), Scenic Motorcycle Touring App and Kurviger. Komoot is listed as an emerging player.
Does RISER have an API?
No public API is recorded for RISER.
What industry is RISER in?
RISER's product category is Motorcycle Navigation Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAA, Consumer Navigation & Turn-by-Turn Apps.