What Urban Circus does

Urban Circus is a French technical clothing brand founded in 2016 and headquartered in Paris, specializing in reflective, waterproof, and breathable apparel and accessories for urban cyclists, commuters, and active mobility users. The company's product portfolio spans core cycling apparel (reversible jackets, ultra-light shells, parkas, rain ponchos, softshells, and down jackets), workwear (EN ISO 20471-certified high-visibility T-shirts, battery-powered cooling vests), modular bag systems (LINK convertible backpack and pannier platform), and a curated helmet/accessories lineup featuring partnerships with Overade, Lumos, Gamel, and QLÏR. The technical foundation rests on retro-reflective fabrics integrated for 360-degree nighttime visibility, a waterproof-breathable membrane rated at 10,000mm schmerber / 30,000g/m²/24h MVTR, and ergonomic cycling-specific features (helmet-compatible hoods, dorsal vents, handlebar clips).

The flagship innovation is the AI-Detectable Jacket co-developed with Continental — marketed as the first jacket engineered to be recognized by car driver assistance systems. The product line also includes the CIRRUS 2 connected airbag jacket. Distribution is omnichannel: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via urban-circus.fr with multilingual and multi-currency support across 15 countries, a dedicated B2B platform (urbancircuspro.com) for couriers and professional buyers, physical retail via FNAC-DARTY for helmet try-on, and a community-driven ambassador/affiliate acquisition program. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales with no subscription model, supported by volume discounts and seasonal sales up to 70% off. The brand operates a Second Cycle second-hand resale platform and emphasizes sustainability through upcycling (e.g., the Banana Bucket Hat made from jacket fabric scraps) and pre-orders to limit overproduction. The company is privately held with no disclosed institutional funding and an estimated 11-50 employees.

Name

Urban Circus

Legal name

Urban Circus

Website

https://urban-circus.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Urban Circus is a French technical clothing brand founded in 2016 that designs reflective, waterproof, and breathable apparel and accessories for urban cyclists, commuters, and professional couriers, selling direct-to-consumer across 15 countries plus a dedicated B2B platform and FNAC-DARTY retail partnership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cycling Apparel

NAICS

Sporting Goods Retailers (45911), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (3159)

SIC

Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts (3751), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bike Accessories Retail (Lights, Locks, Racks, Bags) (CRAMAHAD), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI), Protective Armor & Impact Protection Retail (Body/Back/Chest) (CRAMANAC), Safety Accessories & Wearables Retail (Neck Braces, Hydration, Earplugs) (CRAMANAL)

Keywords

• Reflective cycling apparel
• Urban mobility clothing
• Technical bike jackets
• Waterproof cycling gear
• High visibility apparel

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: Revenue from direct-to-consumer sales of technical clothing, bags, helmets, and accessories through e-commerce storefront. One-time purchase model with no subscription mentioned.
2. Professional/B2B Sales: Revenue from professional segment through dedicated pro website (urbancircuspro.com) targeting couriers, delivery professionals, and workwear customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Urban Circus designs, brands, and sells technical reflective and waterproof clothing, modular bags, helmets, and accessories tailored for urban cyclists and commuters. The portfolio emphasizes high-visibility safety (retro-reflective 360° fabrics, AI-detectable jackets, airbag jackets) combined with weather protection (10K/30K waterproof-breathable membranes) and a distinctive aesthetic across jackets, parkas, ponchos, T-shirts, vests, gloves, and modular cycling bags. Products are sold direct-to-consumer online (urban-circus.fr), through a B2B Pro site (urbancircuspro.com), and via FNAC-DARTY retail.

Product overview

Urban Circus is a French technical clothing brand specializing in reflective and waterproof apparel and accessories for urban mobility, cycling, and active transportation. The product portfolio is organized across several categories: (1) Core clothing products including jackets (ESCAPADE ultra-light, REPOP reversible, BVOUAC technical, CLASICA, IRIS, ALUR parka, DTOUR warm parka, FLUVIA winter parka), rainwear (ROMEA ponchos, IYUC rain pants), T-shirts (AEROTECH), softshells (ORSO), and down jackets (JUGGLER, ASTAUDS); (2) Workwear safety products (PELVENT and CIRCEAU cooling vests, RESPI high-visibility certified T-shirts); (3) Innovation products (CONTINENTAL x Urban Circus AI-detectable jacket, CIRRUS 2 airbag jacket); (4) Bags including the LINK modular system (backpack, handlebar bag, frame bag, saddle bag, water bottle holder), UCRR reflective backpacks, ESCAPER convertible panniers, ESCALE tote bags, and BUMP reflective belt bags; (5) Helmets from partnerships (OVERADE foldable, BRILLIANT reflective, GAMEL smart, LUMOS illuminated) with accessories; (6) Safety accessories (OVERADE TURN lighting kit, QLÏR mirror-indicators, reflective gloves); and (7) Services (Second Cycle resale platform, Gift Cards). The brand emphasizes sustainability through recycled materials, upcycling, preorders to avoid overproduction, and a second-hand marketplace.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Second Cycle: Second-hand platform for pre-owned Urban Circus products, extending product lifecycle and promoting circular fashion.

Products and services

• ESCAPADE Jacket Ultra-lightweight, compact, waterproof and breathable jacket for cycling and outdoor activities, with reflective panels, dorsal and underarm vents, and a retractable hood. Targeted at urban cyclists and outdoor riders.
• REPOP Jacket Reversible waterproof jacket with reflective inserts, certified, available in Jungle, Banana, and Graffiti patterns for urban cycling visibility.
• BVOUAC Jacket Technical ultra-lightweight jacket that is highly breathable and waterproof, designed for demanding physical efforts during cycling.
• CLASICA Jacket Reversible waterproof jacket with reflective elements, designed for commuting cyclists seeking visibility and weather protection.
• IRIS Jacket Waterproof reflective jacket featuring rainbow iridescent reflective elements for enhanced visibility and style.
• ALUR Technical Parka Technical waterproof parka with breathable properties and large hood designed to fit over helmets for urban commuting.
• DTOUR Technical Warm Parka Technical warm parka with Sorona insulation designed for cold weather cycling commuting.
• FLUVIA Winter Parka Reversible winter parka with high-visibility fluorescent colors and reflective elements for cold weather cycling.
• ROMEA Rain Poncho Waterproof rain poncho with reflective patterns for cycling, providing full coverage and visibility.
• IYUC Rain Pants Waterproof breathable rain pants for cycling with reflective elements and optional shoe covers.
• AEROTECH T-Shirt Ultra-breathable technical T-shirt with Aerotech pattern designed for sport and active cycling, featuring moisture management and reflective accents.
• ORSO Softshell Jacket Technical fleece softshell jacket with water-repellent properties and reflective details for cycling.
• JUGGLER Down Jacket Reversible down jacket with reflective elements for winter cycling, providing warmth and visibility.
• ASTAUDS Sleeveless Down Jacket Sleeveless down jacket with waterproof and reflective properties for active winter cycling.
• PELVENT Cooling Vest Cooling and ventilating vest with battery-powered fans for hot weather workwear and cycling.
• CIRCEAU Tech Water Cooling Vest Tech water cooling vest designed for heat protection during work or cycling activities.
• LINK Modular Bag System Modular bag system including LINK BASE 23-34L backpack/pannier, LINK MOVE 3L handlebar bag, LINK DAILY 1L frame bag, LINK FIX 1L saddle bag, and LINK FLOW water bottle holder — convertible clamshell opening, waterproof, designed for bikepacking and cycle commuting.
• UCRR Reflective Backpack Roll-top reflective backpack available in 18L-22L sizes, waterproof, designed for urban cycling commuting.
• ESCAPER Convertible Bicycle Bag/Backpack Convertible backpack and bicycle pannier with clamshell opening, waterproof and reflective.
• ESCALE Bicycle Shopping Tote Bag 21L bicycle tote bag for shopping that attaches to bike rack with fluorescent reflective design.
• BUMP Reflective Belt Bag Multi-functional 3-in-1 XL reflective belt bag that attaches to bicycle handlebars, waterproof, available in multiple colors.
• OVERADE x Urban Circus Foldable Helmet (Plixi) Foldable helmet (Plixi) with waterproof cover and upcycled banana-pattern visor, made in France. ABS external shell and EPS internal foam. Co-branded with Overade.
• BRILLIANT Reflective Helmet Reflective bicycle helmet with 360-degree visibility, CE certified to EN 1078 + A1 standard, with ABS shell and EPS foam.
• GAMEL Smart Helmet Luminous smart helmet with integrated front and rear lights plus brake light and directional indicators. Available in black, blue, khaki, cream.
• LUMOS Illuminated Helmet Range

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• ContinentalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed the first jacket designed to be detectable by car driver assistance systems. The URBAN CIRCUS x CONTINENTAL DETECTABLE JACKET represents a breakthrough in cyclist safety by integrating technology that makes riders visible to autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicle systems. Multiple product variations including Detectable, Detectable Light, and kids sizes.
• OveradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive collaboration on foldable PLIXI helmet with Urban Circus branding. Set includes foldable helmet, fluorescent waterproof helmet cover, and reflective banana pattern visor upcycled from Banana jacket fabric scraps, made in France in Paris. Overade designs helmets in Paris; production in Asia.
• LumoscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for illuminated bicycle helmets with integrated turn indicators and brake lights. Urban Circus offers the full Lumos helmet range including Kickstart, Matrix, Ultra MIPS, and Street MIPS models featuring maximum visibility and safety features.
• GamelcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for THE REMARKABLE light-up helmets featuring integrated front and rear lights with brake light function. Available in multiple colors (black, blue, khaki, cream).
• FNAC-DARTYcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail distribution partner for helmet try-on in stores. Promoted on helmet product pages as 'Try me today in the FNAC-DARTY store, mobility section!'

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Proviz: UK-based brand specializing in high-visibility and reflective cycling and running apparel. Most direct competitor in the reflective-safety apparel niche Urban Circus occupies.
• Rapha: Premium global cycling apparel brand offering performance jackets, jerseys, and accessories for road and urban cyclists. Directly comparable as a high-end DTC cycling apparel competitor with similar end-consumer target.
• Overade: Paris-based foldable bike helmet designer and existing Urban Circus co-brand partner. Comparable as an urban cycling helmet brand with shared design aesthetic and Parisian design heritage.
• Showers Pass: US cycling rainwear specialist focused on waterproof, breathable jackets and gear for commuter and road cyclists. Comparable technical apparel positioning in waterproof-breathable cycling outerwear.
• Castelli: Italian technical cycling apparel brand specializing in performance jackets, rainwear, and weatherproof cycling gear. Closely comparable to Urban Circus's core reflective/waterproof jacket range.
• Lumos: Smart helmet company (turn signals, brake lights) and existing Urban Circus partner. Compares as a connected-cyclist-safety hardware brand addressing the same urban commuter.
• Chrome Industries: US-based urban cycling and messenger bag brand with weatherproof, functional designs for bike commuters. Directly comparable in the urban-cyclist bag and apparel category.
• Ortlieb: German premium waterproof bicycle panniers and bike bags manufacturer. Compares directly to Urban Circus's LINK modular bike bag system and waterproof commuter backpacks.

Broad incumbents

• Decathlon (Van Rysel / Triban): Global sporting goods retailer with house cycling brands (Van Rysel for road, Triban for urban) covering apparel, helmets, and bags at value price points. A broad incumbent competitor across all of Urban Circus's product categories.

Emerging players

• Hövding: Swedish company that pioneered the airbag collar/helmet for cyclists. Highly relevant for Urban Circus's CIRRUS airbag jacket ambition as both target the connected airbag safety category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/urban.circus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urbancircus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Urban Circus