Q36.5
Q36.5 is an Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer founded in 2013, specializing in thermoregulation-driven clothing, footwear, and accessories sold direct-to-consumer across 12+ countries to professional and serious amateur cyclists.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersTrento, Italy
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Q36.5 does
Q36.5 is an Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bolzano, Italy. The company designs and produces high-performance cycling clothing, footwear, and accessories for men and women, organized around a thermoregulation thesis aimed at maintaining the human body at 36.5°C across all riding conditions. Core proprietary technologies include the Q LAB Air Chamois, silver thread integration for moisture management and anti-electrosmog effects, the UNIQUE™ single-piece 3D woven bib short construction (Red Dot Design Award winning), body-mapping methodology applied to both apparel and footwear, gradual compression woven panels, and a patent-pending carbon fiber sole layup for the Unique Pro shoe line.
The business model is primarily direct-to-consumer through owned e-commerce storefronts in 12+ country/language configurations including the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and Switzerland, supported by a separate B2B portal for wholesale and team orders. Premium pricing runs from approximately $24 for accessories up to $600 for flagship footwear, with archive discounting of 30-50% on prior-season inventory. Manufacturing is hyper-localized within a 350 km radius of the Bolzano headquarters, using up to 100% recycled fabrics in some lines.
Q36.5 serves professional cyclists, serious amateur enthusiasts, adventure/gravel riders, and temperature-conscious cyclists, with the Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team sponsorship — featuring Olympic champion Tom Pidcock, Fred Wright, Sam Bennett, Eddie Dunbar, and brand ambassador Vincenzo Nibali — functioning as both a marketing platform and an elite-level product validation engine. Strategic technology partnerships with SRM (exclusive 4-hole pedal-shoe ecosystem), Elastic Interface (proprietary memory foam footbeds), Solestar (insoles), BOA (fit systems), and Karl Mayer (seamless knitting) underpin product differentiation. The company employs 11-50 people, has not raised disclosed outside funding, and remains privately held under founder and CEO Luigi Bergamo, who also serves as Head of R&D.
Q36.5 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Q36.5
- Legal name
- Q36.5
- Website
- https://q36-5.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Q36.5 is an Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer founded in 2013, specializing in thermoregulation-driven clothing, footwear, and accessories sold direct-to-consumer across 12+ countries to professional and serious amateur cyclists.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Q36.5 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Cycling Apparel and Footwear
- NAICS
- Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159), Footwear Manufacturing (3162), Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)
- SIC
- Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Women's, Misses', And Juniors Outerwear (2330), Footwear, (No Rubber) (3140)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories) (CRAMABAH), Bike Parts & Components Retail (CRAMAHAB), Compression, Base Layers & Thermals (CRAAAEAH), High-Visibility, Rain & Thermal Riding Gear Retail (CRAMANAK)
Keywords
Where Q36.5 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Trento
- HQ country
- Italy
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Q36.5 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Cycling Apparel Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of premium cycling clothing including jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, base layers, and accessories through owned e-commerce platform with international shipping.
- Cycling Footwear Sales: Direct sales of cycling shoes including road, gravel, and adventure models, featuring proprietary technologies like body-mapping and custom BOA fit systems.
- Pro Team Merchandise: Sales of Pro Cycling Team branded apparel including jerseys, bib shorts, caps, gloves, and travel wear for fans and consumers wanting team-style equipment.
- Pedals and Accessories: Sales of cycling accessories including SRM pedals, cleats, socks, and other technical accessories complementing the core apparel and footwear business.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Jerseys (Dottore Pro) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Bib Shorts (Dottore Pro) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cycling Footwear (Unique/Unique Pro) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Clima/Adventure Footwear |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Base Layers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Archive/Sale Items |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Pro Team Equipment |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Q36.5 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Q36.5 designs, manufactures, and retails premium cycling apparel, footwear, and accessories engineered around proprietary thermoregulation technology aimed at maintaining an optimal 36.5°C body temperature. The product range spans jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, base layers, skinsuits, road/gravel/adventure cycling shoes, and the SRM X-Power Direct pedal system, all produced by hand within a 350 km radius of its Bolzano, Italy headquarters using up to 100% recycled fabrics and proprietary components.
Product overview
Q36.5 is a premium cycling apparel company specializing in high-performance cycling clothing, footwear, and accessories. The product portfolio includes three main jersey lines: Dottore (top-tier racing), Gregarius (all-round versatility), and Adventure Tech (off-road/adventure). Core bottoms include Dottore Pro and Gregarius Pro bib shorts with proprietary Q LAB Air Chamois technology. The footwear line features Unique Pro (performance), Unique (body-mapped comfort), Dottore Clima (hot weather), and Gregarius (versatile) shoes. The company also offers the SRM X-Power Direct pedal system, Base Layer series (0-4 for different temperature ranges), jackets, and Pro Team kit. All products emphasize thermoregulation technology, body mapping, Italian craftsmanship, and sustainability within a 350km manufacturing radius.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Dottore Pro Jersey
Quantifiable outcome
- Moisture moves 50% faster than standard polyester fabrics
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Q36.5
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Q36.5 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
Q36.5 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, standard and minor.
- PinarellocorePinarello serves as co-title sponsor of the Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, providing bicycles while Q36.5 supplies all team apparel and footwear. The partnership represents a deep integration with Italian values of premium and daring performance design, with the kit designed to make riders feel part of something special and unique - the only team in the Professional peloton founded and powered by Italian technical partners.
- SRM (Schoeller-Reva-Meier)coreStrategic technology partnership for the SRM X-Power Direct pedal and cleat system. Q36.5's Unique Pro 4.0 shoe is the first and only shoe in the world with exclusive compatibility for SRM's revolutionary X-Power Direct road pedal system, representing deep technical integration between footwear and pedal systems.
- Elastic InterfacecorePartnership for proprietary footbed technology. Q36.5 cycling shoes feature Elastic Interface memory foam footbeds that reduce pressure on the insole by 10% compared to standard cycling footbeds, created specifically for Q36.5 products.
- SolestarstandardInsole provider for Q36.5 cycling shoes (Gregarius Adventure, Gregarius Road), placing feet in the Optimal Neutral Position to enhance comfort, stability, and propulsion.
- BOA TechnologystandardQ36.5 cycling shoes utilize BOA Li2 fit system dials for smooth and even pressure distribution across the instep and forefoot zones. The BOA system enables micro-adjustability in both directions for precise fit customization.
- Karl MayerstandardPartnership with Karl Mayer for Seamless knitting machines used in Q36.5 base layer production. The cutting-edge seamless technology uses multiple integrated yarn structures with varying densities to pull sweat away from skin.
- Japanese Cycling FederationminorCollaborated with Japanese cycling federation during wind tunnel studies for vest development, allowing better understanding of winter air movement around cyclist flanks for improved body mapping.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Q36.5 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Fizik: Italian cycling saddle, shoe, and accessories brand owned by Selle Royal. Comparable as an Italian cycling component and footwear brand serving premium road and off-road cyclists with proprietary fit technologies (BOA integration, custom lasts).
- Castelli: Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer with deep heritage and Pro Tour sponsorship history. Directly comparable as a high-end Italian cycling apparel brand serving professional teams and serious enthusiasts with similar price points.
- Rapha: UK-based premium cycling apparel brand with a strong DTC model and lifestyle positioning. Comparable as a high-end cycling apparel brand operating global e-commerce and club-based consumer engagement at premium price points.
- Sidi: Italian premium cycling shoe manufacturer headquartered in the Veneto region. Comparable as a high-end Italian cycling footwear maker targeting the same professional and serious-enthusiast customer base with proprietary fit and sole technology.
- Santini: Italian cycling apparel manufacturer with deep Pro Team supply relationships. Comparable as a fellow Italian-made cycling apparel maker serving professional teams and enthusiasts, with similar 'Made in Italy' craftsmanship positioning.
- Sportful: Italian cycling apparel manufacturer with comparable heritage and Pro Team supply relationships. Comparable as a fellow Italian premium cycling apparel brand with a focus on technical performance and team sponsorships.
- Assos: Swiss premium cycling apparel maker with a similar science-led, thermoregulation-focused approach. Comparable as a high-end brand serving professional cyclists with proprietary fabric technology and premium pricing.
Emerging players
- MAAP: Australian premium cycling apparel brand with strong DTC and lifestyle positioning. Comparable as a fast-growing premium cycling apparel brand targeting similar serious-amateur and professional-cyclist customer segments.
- Pas Normal Studios: Danish premium cycling apparel brand with a design-forward aesthetic and growing international DTC presence. Comparable as a younger premium cycling brand pursuing similar enthusiast and Pro Team customer segments with a direct-to-consumer model.
Broad incumbents
- Pearl Izumi: Established global cycling apparel and footwear brand with broader product portfolio spanning entry-level to premium. Comparable as a larger cycling-specialty incumbent with overlapping apparel, footwear, and accessories categories.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Q36.5 social profiles
Digital presenceQ36.5 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Q36.5 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Q36.5 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Q36.5 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 Q36.5
What does Q36.5 do?
Q36.5 designs, manufactures, and retails premium cycling apparel, footwear, and accessories engineered around proprietary thermoregulation technology aimed at maintaining an optimal 36.5°C body temperature. The product range spans jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, base layers, skinsuits, road/gravel/adventure cycling shoes, and the SRM X-Power Direct pedal system, all produced by hand within a 350 km radius of its Bolzano, Italy headquarters using up to 100% recycled fabrics and proprietary components.
Is Q36.5 a public or private company?
Q36.5 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Q36.5 founded?
Q36.5 was founded in 2013. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Q36.5 based?
Q36.5 is headquartered in Trento, Italy, in the Europe region.
How does Q36.5 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Cycling Apparel Sales are the primary driver. The others are cycling Footwear Sales, pro Team Merchandise and pedals and Accessories.
Who are Q36.5's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Fizik, Castelli, Rapha, Sidi, Santini, Sportful and Assos. Emerging players are MAAP and Pas Normal Studios. Pearl Izumi is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Q36.5 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Q36.5.
What industry is Q36.5 in?
Q36.5's product category is Premium Cycling Apparel and Footwear. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAMAHAC, Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail, with a secondary code of CRAMABAH, Cycling & Bike Retail (Sales, Service & Accessories). Its NAICS code is 315 and its SIC code is 3949.