What Helite does

Helite is a privately held French manufacturer founded in 2002 in Fontaine-lès-Dijon that designs, develops, and produces wearable airbag protection systems for motorcycle, equestrian, cycling, and senior (Hip'Guard) end markets. Its portfolio spans mechanical tether-activated CO2 vests and electronic sensor-based vests (accelerometer, gyroscope, GPS), protected by two registered patents — Turtle dual-effect shock absorption and Zip'In modular integration — with all R&D, crash testing, manufacturing, and quality control conducted in-house at its Dijon facility.

The company sells hardware products (€22–€839 price band) directly to consumers via shop.helite.com and through hundreds of official distributors, brick-and-mortar retailers (DAFY Moto, Revzilla, BMW Motorrad dealers, equestrian saddleries, cycling stores), online partners, and wholly-owned regional subsidiaries spanning 35+ countries. Recurring revenue is generated by mandatory proprietary CO2 cartridges (50CC–100CC, 10-year guarantee) required to re-arm vests after deployment. A separate B2B service line addresses custom prototypes for military, security, and professional applications.

Commercially, Helite is a founder-controlled (Gérard Thévenot) SAS with €1.1M registered capital and 11–50 employees, with no disclosed external funding or revenue. Distribution is supported by event sponsorships (Women's Cup, Fontainebleau Classic Summer Tour, Dakar Rally), an insurance distribution partnership with MACIF, co-development integrations with multiple equestrian apparel brands (Dada Sport, Freejump, Ju&Pa, Lotus Romeo, Equiline, Gaze, Le Sabotier), and CE certification by CRITT Sport Loisirs that mandates use of Helite-branded cartridges.

Name

Helite

Legal name

HELITE SAS

Website

https://helite.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Helite is a French manufacturer founded in 2002 that designs, produces, and globally distributes mechanical and electronic wearable airbag vests for motorcyclists, equestrians, cyclists, and seniors, with all R&D and manufacturing based in Dijon, France.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wearable Protective Airbag Systems

NAICS

Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751), Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Powersports Safety, Helmets & Protective Gear Manufacturing (IMACAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest) (CRAMANAC), Helmets & Protective Headgear Retail (Motorcycle/ATV/Snow) (CRAMANAB), Riding Jackets, Pants & Suits Retail (Leather/Textile) (CRAMANAF)

Keywords

• Motorcycle airbag vests
• Equestrian airbag protection
• Wearable airbag systems
• Fall detection sensors
• Personal safety airbags

Headquarters

HQ city

Fontaine-lès-dijon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Airbag Product Sales: One-time sale of airbag vests and gilets across motorcycle, equestrian, and cycling categories. Products are sold directly through the company's e-commerce site and through distributor/retailer networks. Includes mechanical and electronic systems.
2. CO2 Cartridge Refills and Accessories: Recurring consumables revenue from replacement CO2 cartridges (50CC, 60CC, 85CC, 100CC) and accessories such as saddle straps, lanyards, and saddle attachment systems. Cartridges are guaranteed 10 years and are required to re-arm the airbag after each deployment.
3. B2B Custom/Professional Services: Custom airbag solutions and prototype development for professional clients, military applications, and bespoke integrations through the B2B service department.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Helite designs, develops, manufactures, and sells wearable airbag protection systems for motorcyclists, equestrians, cyclists, and seniors. The portfolio spans mechanical tether-activated CO2-cartridge systems and electronic sensor-based systems with onboard accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS, all produced in-house at the company's Dijon, France facility and sold through its own e-commerce store, a global distributor network, and a B2B custom solutions service.

Product overview

Helite is an airbag technology expert specializing in protective wearable airbags across four market segments: motorcycling, equestrian, cycling, and seniors. The product portfolio includes both mechanical (tether-activated) and electronic (sensor-based) airbag systems with protection volumes between 17L and 28L. Motorcycle products include the E-GP Air and E-Turtle electronic vests, plus mechanical Turtle 2, GP-Air, H-MOOV backpack, Off Road/Dakar, Race Suit, and Double Turtle models. Equestrian products feature the Zip'In 2 (2-in-1 vest), Airjacket (wired vest), and Hybrid-Air. Cycling is served by the B'Safe vest, while seniors have the Hip'Guard hip protection belt. Accessories include CO2 cartridges (50-100CC), saddle straps, and lanyards. All products are designed, developed, and manufactured in France (Dijon) since 2002, with CRITT Sport Loisirs certification for both motorcycle and equestrian equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zip'In: Airbag technology brand for equestrian applications featuring interchangeable airbag vests compatible with various riding jackets
• Turtle Technology
• H-MOOV
• B'Safe
• Hip'Guard

Products and services

• E-GP Air Wireless electronic motorcycle airbag vest designed for track and racing use. Analyzes rider movements in real-time via accelerometers, gyroscope, and GPS sensors, detecting crashes from 62ms at 35 km/h and inflating in under 55ms before impact. Features TURTLE technology with dorsal and pectoral protection, 17-28L protection volume, and 25h battery autonomy.
• E-Turtle Wireless electronic motorcycle airbag vest. Analyzes movements and detects falls at 360° with onboard sensors from 18 km/h regardless of impact angle. Features TURTLE technology with SAS-TEC Level 2 dorsal protection, 3D mesh ventilation, and retro-reflective bands for nighttime visibility.
• Turtle 2 Mechanical motorcycle airbag vest with TURTLE technology. Uses a tether-connected mechanical system triggered by a lanyard. Features dual TURTLE effect (dorsal and pectoral) for superior shock absorption. User-reconditionable after a fall.
• GP-Air Mechanical motorcycle airbag vest designed for track use. Tether-connected system with TURTLE technology for enhanced shock absorption and aerodynamics compatible with racing suits.
• H-MOOV Backpack Airbag Mechanical backpack-style motorcycle airbag that combines protection with storage functionality. Integrates the mechanical airbag system into a backpack form factor.
• Off Road / Dakar Airbag Mechanical off-road motorcycle airbag designed for extreme conditions and rally use, including participation in the Dakar Rally.
• Double Turtle Mechanical motorcycle airbag featuring enhanced dual TURTLE technology for maximum protection.
• Zip'In 2 2-in-1 mechanical equestrian airbag vest that can be worn alone or under Zip'In-approved jackets. Features central zip closure, optimized chest protection volume, and reduced cartridge weight. Ultra-fast inflation in under 100ms. Available in sizes from Child L to 2XL.
• Airjacket Wired mechanical equestrian airbag vest connected directly to the saddle via a saddle strap. Designed for cross-country use with breathable 3D mesh fabric and three adjustment straps for a custom fit over equestrian clothing. Ultra-fast inflation in 100ms.
• Hybrid-Air Hybrid equestrian airbag combining mechanical and electronic technologies for enhanced fall detection and protection.
• B'Safe Mechanical bicycle airbag vest designed for cyclists. Provides protection for urban and recreational cycling with mechanical activation via tether system.
• Hip'Guard Hip protection belt designed for seniors to prevent hip fractures from falls. Distributed via hipguard.eu.
• CO2 Cartridges Replacement CO2 gas cartridges for Helite mechanical airbags. Available in 50CC, 60CC, 85CC, and 100CC sizes proportional to airbag size. Guaranteed 10 years with no expiration date. Required to maintain CE certification and warranty.
• Saddle Strap Y-shaped saddle strap for equestrian airbags that attaches stirrup leathers to the saddle. Ensures reliable and fast airbag activation. Can be installed on multiple saddles for quick horse changes.
• Key-ball Lanyard Attachment lanyard connecting equestrian airbag to saddle strap. Features carabiner and key-ball at each end. The key-ball maintains mechanical system tension and releases the firing pin during a fall to activate the gas cartridge.

Quantifiable outcome

• Inflation in under 100ms (mechanical) or under 55ms (electronic), before ground impact
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MACIF AssurancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHelite has a partnership with MACIF, a major French insurance provider, offering exclusive deals on Helite airbag products for MACIF policyholders. This partnership was announced through a dedicated news article on the Helite website and provides insurance-linked promotional access to end customers.
• Women's CupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHelite is the official partner of the Women's Cup, the 100% female motorcycle championship. This sponsorship provides brand visibility among the motorcycle racing community and demonstrates Helite's commitment to rider safety in motorsports.
• Fontainebleau Classic Summer TourminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelite is a partner of the Fontainebleau Classic Summer Tour equestrian competition, one of the major international show jumping events held in France. Provides brand exposure to the equestrian community.
• DAFY MotocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor French motorcycle accessories retailer with multiple physical stores across France (DAFY Moto Dijon, DAFY Moto Agen, DAFY Moto Toulouse Sud, and many others). DAFY stocks and sells Helite motorcycle airbag products in-store and online.
• RevzillacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeading US-based online motorcycle gear retailer. Sells Helite motorcycle airbag products to North American consumers through its e-commerce platform.
• KimpexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCanadian distributor of powersports and cycling equipment. Distributes Helite products in the Canadian market.
• Dada Sport, Freejump Oscar & Gabrielle, Ju&Pa, Lotus Romeo, Equiline, Gaze, Le SabotierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquestrian apparel brands whose certified jackets are compatible with Helite's Zip'In airbag system. These partnerships allow Helite's airbag technology to integrate seamlessly into branded riding jackets, expanding market reach for both parties.
• GLS and ChronopostminorOthersShipping carriers used by Helite's e-commerce operation to deliver products to customers. Packages typically dispatched within 2 business days of payment receipt with tracking numbers provided.
• AlmaminorOthersFrench fintech company providing 3x interest-free installment payment option on Helite's e-commerce store, enabling customers to spread purchase costs over three payments.
• InfobipminorOthersEuropean SMS gateway provider (based in Croatia, EU) used exclusively for the emergency contact alert feature in the Helite mobile app. Automatically sends an SMS with the user's GPS location to up to three designated emergency contacts when the airbag deploys.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hövding: Swedish maker of the Hövding airbag collar for urban cyclists, comparable to Helite's B'Safe bicycle airbag in terms of wearable airbag protection for cyclists, albeit with a collar form factor.
• Dainese: Italian motorcycle apparel and safety brand offering the D-Air electronic airbag system. Competes head-to-head with Helite across mechanical and electronic motorcycle airbag categories, including racing applications and OEM integrations.
• Alpinestars: Global motorsport apparel leader with the Tech-Air electronic airbag vest line. Directly competes with Helite in motorcycle airbag protection for road and track riders, targeting similar customers with similar sensor-based inflation systems.
• Hit Air: Manufacturer of mechanical airbag vests for equestrian and motorcycle use. Competes directly with Helite across both verticals with similar tether-activated CO2 inflation technology.
• In&Motion: French electronic airbag technology provider whose sensor-driven system is referenced alongside Helite in motorcycle airbag comparison testing. Targets the same electronic motorcycle airbag use cases and customer base.
• RST: UK-based motorcycle clothing brand offering airbag-equipped jackets and vests, competing with Helite in the European motorcycle airbag retail channel.
• Held: German motorcycle glove and apparel specialist with airbag vest offerings that overlap with Helite's motorcycle airbag product range, particularly for European road and touring riders.
• Spidi: Italian motorcycle apparel maker with airbag-equipped riding gear. Overlaps with Helite's motorcycle airbag vest portfolio, particularly for road and sport-touring riders.
• Point Two Air Vest: Equestrian airbag vest brand directly competing with Helite's Zip'In and Airjacket in the horse rider safety segment, offering mechanical tether-based inflation for falls.

Broad incumbents

• Klim: US-based technical apparel maker for powersports (motorcycle, snowmobile, off-road) with growing airbag integration in riding gear. A broader incumbent rather than an airbag pure-play, but increasingly adjacent to Helite's motorcycle airbag market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCP_Bw0qkKjJAxiKvKuLHnmg
• Facebookfacebook.com/HeliteOfficial
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/helite
• Instagraminstagram.com/helite.official.equestrian
• TikToktiktok.com/@heliteairbag589

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Helite