Kivi

What Kivi does

Kivi S.r.l. is an Italian, family-owned designer, manufacturer, and installer of assistive devices that enable physically disabled individuals to drive, enter, and load wheelchairs into vehicles. Founded in 1995 in Vigliano d'Asti by Giancarlo Giberti and Carla Fassone, the company operates with 11–50 employees and reinvests 20% of annual revenue into research and development.

Its product portfolio spans five pillars: driving devices for lower-limb disabilities (K5 Easy-Fit under-steering ring accelerator, KS Wireless over-steering ring accelerator, brake levers, monolevers, pedal extensions); driving devices for upper-limb disabilities (in-wheel steering controllers, auxiliary cable controls, steering grips); vehicle access and transfer aids (K-PL100 person hoist, Ribaltina RE205 folding bridge plate, Turnout/Turny HD/Turny Orbit/Turny Evo rotating seat plates); wheelchair loading solutions (K-LIFT 140, the Carolift series, Joey Lift, Chair Topper, Robot RCC205, Verricello VCC205, B-Opener automatic tailgate); and full vehicle conversion for drive-from-wheelchair use, anchored by the Kivi Captur based on the Renault Captur Micro Hybrid with European type approval. The company also develops the Kivi Station driving simulator and distributes complementary third-party products from BraunAbility/Autoadapt, Q'Straint, Feal, and Guldmann. Products are custom-manufactured "su misura" with artisanal techniques and carry CE marking, ISO 9001 certification, and approvals from the Italian and Spanish Ministries of Transport and Motability UK.

Kivi monetizes exclusively through hardware sales across these categories, with pricing provided on direct inquiry rather than publicly disclosed. The go-to-market is built on a capillary global distributor and installer network covering all Italian provinces and 30+ countries, with strategic OEM ties to Stellantis (Autonomy program) and Renault Group (Phase II manufacturer status). The end customer is the disabled driver or passenger, served through this B2B2C channel structure rather than direct enterprise contracts.

Name

Kivi

Legal name

Kivi S.r.l.

Website

https://kivi.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kivi S.r.l. is an Italian, family-owned manufacturer of custom assistive driving devices, wheelchair transfer aids, and wheelchair-accessible vehicle conversions for physically disabled drivers and passengers, distributed through a global certified installer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Mobility Equipment for Disabled Drivers

NAICS

Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Home Health Equipment Rental (532283), Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Parts Manufacturing (336991)

SIC

Motor Vehicle Parts & Accessories (3714), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Miscellaneous Transportation Equipment (3790)

akta.pro primary industry

Paratransit & NEMT Vehicle Upfitting / Accessibility Equipment Providers (TLAFAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) & Wheelchair/Stretcher Transport (HLAFANAJ), Patient Lifts, Transfer & Safe Handling Equipment (Hoists, Slings, Transfer Boards) (HLAHAMAE), Mobility Aids (Wheelchairs, Scooters, Walkers, Canes) (HLAHAMAA)

Keywords

• Adaptive driving devices
• Wheelchair accessible vehicles
• Mobility aids for disabled
• Vehicle conversion equipment
• Driving control systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Vigliano

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Driving Devices and Control Systems: Sale of driving devices for disabled persons including accelerator rings, steering controls, brake levers, and related electronic systems. Products are custom-fitted to specific vehicle models.
2. Vehicle Conversion and Fitting: Conversion and outfitting of vehicles for drive-from-wheelchair capability, including the Kivi Captur model. Performed as Phase 2 manufacturer with European homologation.
3. Transfer and Loading Aids: Sale of aids for wheelchair transfer into vehicles and wheelchair loading systems, including lifts, cranes, robots, and rotating platforms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kivi designs, manufactures, distributes, and installs adaptive driving devices and wheelchair transport aids for disabled individuals. Its portfolio spans under- and over-steering ring accelerators (K5 easy-fit, KS Wireless), wheelchair loading systems (K-LIFT 140), transfer aids (K-PL100, Ribaltina RE205), and complete vehicle conversions (Kivi Captur, a Renault Captur-based drive-from-wheelchair vehicle with European type approval). Products are custom-built "su misura" (made-to-measure) and installed by trained technicians through a global distributor network.

Product overview

Kivi is a manufacturer of driving devices and transport aids for people with disabilities, plus a converter of vehicles for wheelchair driving. Its portfolio spans five product pillars: (1) driving devices for lower-limb disabilities (under- and over-steering ring accelerators K4/K5/K6 easy-fit and KS Wireless, brake levers, monolevers, pedal extensions), (2) driving devices for upper-limb disabilities (in-wheel steering controllers, auxiliary cable controls, steering grips, parking brake electrification), (3) vehicle access and transfer aids (Ribaltina RE205, Piastra Girevole Turnout, Turny HD, Turny Orbit, Turny Evo, Gruetta K-PL100), (4) wheelchair loading solutions (K-LIFT 140, Carolift series, Joey Lift, Chair Topper, Robot RCC205, Verricello VCC205, B-Opener), and (5) vehicle conversion for wheelchair driving (Kivi Captur, based on Renault Captur). The company also distributes complementary products from BraunAbility/Autoadapt, Q'Straint, Feal, and Guldmann as part of its full-service accessibility offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Kivi Captur Converted Renault Captur Micro Hybrid (140/160 EDC automatic) enabling a person in a wheelchair to drive independently. Features a fully lowered floor (142 cm internal height), automatic tailgate and ramp opening via Renault key fob, lowered suspension, and two front anchor plates. Accommodates two additional folding rear seats and a spare wheelchair. Kivi holds Phase II manufacturer status with European homologation.
• Kivi Station Driving Simulator 100% made-in-Kivi driving simulator for people with reduced motor abilities. Tests driving capacity and identifies the most suitable driving device. Includes interactive route simulation with traffic, pedestrians, and signage, and generates a report covering steering force, braking reaction time, total reaction capacity, and visual field.
• K5 easy-fit Under-Steering Ring Accelerator Under-steering ring accelerator transferring the accelerator pedal command to the steering wheel for drivers with lower limb disability. Available in interface and motor versions. Features dual-stroke ring for multiple grip styles and an "Economizer" function reducing power by up to 60%. CE marked, approved by the Italian Ministry of Transport, 5-year warranty.
• KS Wireless Over-Steering Ring Accelerator Wireless over-steering ring accelerator (100% wireless technology, no cable between ring and steering wheel) for drivers with reduced lower limb motor abilities. Available in fixed or removable models. Includes "Economizer" function. CE marked, approved by the Italian Ministry of Transport, 5-year warranty.
• K-PL100 Personal Hoist Portable hoist for transferring people from wheelchair to car seat and vice versa. Weighs 12.5 kg, max load 100 kg, 50 cm vertical travel. Includes fixed or mobile bracket, articulated arm, harness (S/M/L), and wired controls. Also usable as a home/exterior hoist. CE marked, 3-year warranty.
• K-LIFT 140 Wheelchair Lift Electric wheelchair lift with articulated arm for loading wheelchairs (manual or electric, up to 140 kg) into vehicles. Installed in the luggage compartment or fixed to the pillar near the rear side door. Up/down movement is electric; arm rotation can be manual or electric, controlled by wired button or optional radio remote. CE marked, passed static, fatigue, and EMC tests, 3-year warranty.

Quantifiable outcome

• Power reduction up to 60% with "Economizzatore" function
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stellantis (Autonomy Program)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKivi is an active partner of the Stellantis Autonomy mobility program (formerly FCA Autonomy), contributing to making vehicles accessible for disabled drivers. This partnership positions Kivi as a recognized player in the adaptive mobility ecosystem.
• Renault GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized by Renault as Phase 2 vehicle manufacturers for the transformation of Renault Captur for wheelchair driving (sali e guida - enter and drive). Kivi Captur has European type approval allowing direct vehicle registration without additional testing for driving devices.
• Kia MotorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the past, Kivi was recognized by Kia for the transformation of Kia Soul for wheelchair-accessible driving.
• ChevroletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn the past, Kivi was recognized by Chevrolet for the transformation of Chevrolet Orlando for wheelchair-accessible driving.
• Motability (UK)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProducts approved by Motability, the UK government-backed scheme that helps disabled people lease a car. Presence on Motability website validates product quality and regulatory compliance for UK market.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Elap: Italian competitor specializing in wheelchair-accessible vehicle upfitting, driving controls, and transport aids for disabled passengers. Direct domestic peer with overlapping Ministry of Transport approvals and similar reliance on a network of certified installers across Italy.
• Guidosimplex: Italian manufacturer of driving aids, steering devices, and vehicle adaptations for people with disabilities. Closest domestic competitor to Kivi, sharing Italian Ministry of Transport approvals, similar "Made in Italy" customization, and overlapping product categories (ring accelerators, brake levers, lifters).
• Autoadapt (BraunAbility): Swedish manufacturer of driving controls, wheelchair lifting and transfer equipment that competes directly with Kivi across Europe. Autoadapt is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of BraunAbility, sharing product lines (Carolift, Turny, Carony, Turnout) that Kivi also distributes — making it both a peer and an indirect channel partner.
• Veigel (Paravan): German manufacturer of hand controls, ring accelerators, steering aids, and transfer solutions for disabled drivers. Operates as part of the Paravan group, comparable to Kivi across driving controls and wheelchair-to-vehicle transfer devices, with overlapping TÜV-certified approvals across Europe.
• Paravan: German mobility specialist offering customized vehicle conversions, driving simulators (similar in concept to Kivi Station), and assistive driving technology. Directly comparable for high-spec, individualized adaptations and OEM-level engineering depth.
• AMF-Bruns: German specialist in wheelchair-accessible vehicle conversions, lifts, and rear-entry ramps. Competes with Kivi in the European wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) market, particularly in Germany and surrounding markets where Kivi also has installer coverage.

Broad incumbents

• BraunAbility: US-based global leader in wheelchair-accessible vehicles and mobility solutions with a much broader portfolio (full vehicle conversions, lifts, seats, transfer plates). Kivi is technically a channel partner (distributing BraunAbility products in Italy) and competes against them in the European wheelchair-accessible vehicle market.
• Vantage Mobility International (VMI): US manufacturer of wheelchair-accessible minivans and SUVs with national dealer networks. A broader incumbent offering fully converted vehicles rather than driving aids, comparable on the vehicle conversion dimension but at much larger scale than Kivi.
• Ricon: US-based manufacturer of wheelchair lifts, ramps, and securement systems for accessible vehicles. Overlaps with Kivi on the wheelchair loading and anchoring product lines but operates at larger scale with broader North American distribution.

Others

• Q'Straint (SAFRAN): Global leader in wheelchair securement and passenger restraint systems, now part of Safran. While Kivi distributes Q'Straint products in Italy, Q'Straint also competes with Kivi's AKE 04 wheelchair docking plate on the securement side, making it an adjacent supplier and partial competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kivi_ita
• YouTubeyoutube.com/kivimobilityfreedom
• Facebookit-it.facebook.com/Kivisrl

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Kivi