Rikolonia - Rikschamarketing und Events

What Rikolonia - Rikschamarketing und Events does

Rikolonia - Rikschamarketing und Event e.K. is a Cologne-based sole proprietorship founded in 2013 by Stefan Schlitt (a trained mechanical engineer) that operates a fleet of 12 Velocab bicycle-powered rickshaws and a 15-person team delivering sustainable urban mobility, sightseeing, and mobile advertising services. Operations are confined to the city of Cologne, Germany, with headquarters at Plectrudengasse 4 and a central bicycle workshop (Radwerkstatt) at Heumarkt.

The company operates three core revenue lines: city tours and sightseeing experiences (Stadtrundfahrt, Brauhausfahrt, Picknickfahrt, Champagnerfahrt, Hochzeitsrikscha, Glühweinfahrt, Winter Champagner-Fahrt), corporate event shuttle services for trade fairs and conferences (Gamescom, DMEXCO, UEFA 2024, DHB Final4), and mobile advertising/branding where rickshaws function as rolling ad surfaces running six days per week. Specialized offerings include a Camera Rickshaw for film production (removable roof, 270-degree recording, device fixation), TimeRide VR combination tours, KD river cruise combinations, team-building packages such as Team Light, gift vouchers, rickshaw rentals, and a bicycle repair workshop. Pricing is unit-based for tours (e.g., €52/person for Team Light) with quote-based corporate contracts and 10% multi-vehicle discounts.

The go-to-market motion combines direct-to-consumer bookings through the rikolonia.de website (Regiondo platform) and phone/email with B2B sales for corporate shuttles, trade fair transport, and advertising partnerships. Named clients include Bayer AG, Zalando, Breitling, Paulaner, NetCologne, Radio Köln, Hard Rock Cafe, Museum Ludwig, Ad Alliance, Monsterhunter, German Handball League, UEFA, Rüschenbeck, and the City of Cologne (Stadt Köln), alongside core tourism partnerships with KölnTourismus, Visit Cologne, TimeRide, and KD Köln-Düsseldorfer. The company pursues a sustainability-centric positioning targeting eco-conscious consumers and corporate ESG mandates.

Name

Rikolonia - Rikschamarketing und Events

Legal name

Rikolonia - Rikschamarketing und Event e.K.

Website

https://rikolonia.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rikolonia is a Cologne-based sole proprietorship founded in 2013 by Stefan Schlitt that operates sustainable rickshaw city tours, corporate event shuttles, mobile advertising, and film production camera platforms with a 12-vehicle Velocab fleet serving tourists, trade fair organizers, and enterprise clients in Cologne, Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sightseeing and Event Transportation Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711), Tour Operators (561520), Charter Bus Industry (4855)

SIC

Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Cycle Rickshaw / Auto Rickshaw / Tuk-Tuk Operators (TLAFAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tour Bus Leasing/Rental (Sightseeing) (TLABADAK), Tour & Sightseeing Coach Charters (THAIAIAB)

Keywords

• Rickshaw city tours
• Event shuttle services
• Mobile advertising vehicles
• Sustainable urban transport
• Corporate event mobility

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. City Tours and Sightseeing: Recreational rickshaw tours for tourists and locals including city tours, pub tours, picnic tours, champagne tours, and wedding rides. Booked individually or as group packages with professional guides.
2. Event Shuttles and Corporate Services: Shuttle services for corporate events, trade fairs, VIP transfers, and team events. Includes branded vehicle deployment and full event organization support.
3. Rickshaw Advertising and Branding: Mobile advertising on rickshaw surfaces - full or partial branding of vehicles. Six days per week, approximately 8 hours daily advertising presence. Includes concept, production, and application of advertising media.
4. Rickshaw Rental: Rental of rickshaws with or without driver for independent use by customers.
5. Vouchers and Gift Certificates: Gift vouchers sold for tours and experiences, with shipping and handling fees. Print-at-home option available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Rikolonia operates a fleet of Velocab rickshaws in Cologne, Germany, providing guided city sightseeing tours, event shuttle services for corporate clients and trade fairs, and mobile advertising/branding using rickshaws as advertising surfaces. The company also offers specialized services including a mobile camera rickshaw for film production, combined virtual reality historical tours with TimeRide, and river cruise combinations with KD, alongside a centrally located bicycle workshop.

Product overview

Rikolonia offers a comprehensive portfolio of rickshaw-based transportation and experience services in Cologne, Germany. The core offering consists of city tours and sightseeing experiences (Stadtrundfahrt, Brauhausfahrt, Picknickfahrt, Champagnerfahrt, Hochzeitsrikscha), event shuttle services for corporate and trade fair transportation, and advertising/branding solutions using rickshaws as mobile advertising media. Seasonal offerings include Glühweinfahrt and Winter Champagner-Fahrt. The company also provides specialized services including a Camera Rickshaw for film production, Time Ride combination tours featuring virtual reality experiences, and Team Lights for team-building events. Additional services include rickshaw rental, gift vouchers, and a bicycle workshop. The company operates with a focus on sustainability, culture, and quality, utilizing Velocab rickshaw vehicles and serving both individual customers and corporate clients including Bayer AG, Paulaner, Radio Köln, and KölnTourismus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Stadtrundfahrt (City Tour) The classic rickshaw city tour experience through Cologne, showcasing Roman, medieval, and modern Cologne with knowledgeable guides. Targeted at tourists and visitors seeking unique, sustainable sightseeing.
• Hochzeitsrikscha (Wedding Rickshaw) Romantic rickshaw rides for weddings, transporting couples or entire wedding parties to event venues. Targeted at couples celebrating weddings and special occasions.
• Champagnerfahrt (Champagne Tour) Special city tour with champagne, suitable for friends' outings, mother-daughter days, or special dates. Targeted at groups seeking memorable celebration experiences.
• KD-Kombifahrt (KD River Cruise Combination) Combined experience featuring a rickshaw city tour through the Old Town followed or preceded by a panoramic cruise on the Rhine with KD (Köln-Düsseldorfer). Targeted at tourists seeking multi-perspective Cologne experiences.
• Time Ride - Kombifahrt (Virtual Reality Combination Tour) Combined tour featuring virtual reality experience at TimeRide in the Senseum at Alter Markt, exploring Cologne during the Roaring Twenties, paired with rickshaw city tour of modern Cologne. Targeted at tourists and visitors interested in historical experiences.
• Time Ride 1945 Spezial Virtual reality journey back to 1945 at Alter Markt, experiencing the massive destruction and end of World War II, combined with rickshaw tour of modern Cologne. Targeted at visitors interested in WWII history.
• Brauhausfahrt (Pub Tour) Rickshaw tour focused on Cologne's famous breweries and beer culture. Targeted at visitors seeking cultural and culinary experiences.
• Picknickfahrt (Picnic Tour) Seasonal rickshaw tour experience with picnic provisions. Targeted at visitors seeking outdoor leisure experiences.
• Glühweinfahrt (Mulled Wine Tour) Seasonal winter rickshaw tour featuring traditional German mulled wine. Targeted at visitors seeking seasonal winter experiences.
• Winter Champagner-Fahrt (Winter Champagne Tour) Winter version of the champagne rickshaw tour experience. Targeted at visitors seeking seasonal celebrations.
• Rikscha Verleih (Rickshaw Rental) Rental service for rickshaws for independent use by customers, available with or without driver. Targeted at customers seeking self-directed rickshaw experiences.
• Event Shuttles Professional shuttle service for corporate events, trade fairs, VIP transfers, and anniversaries, providing climate-friendly transportation for groups of 10 or more people. Targeted at corporate clients and event organizers.
• Werbung & Branding (Advertising Services) Mobile advertising and branding services using rickshaws as advertising surfaces, with options for partial or full vehicle branding, running six days per week at approximately 8 hours daily. Includes concept, production, and application of advertising media. Targeted at companies seeking mobile brand visibility.
• Kamera-Rikscha (Camera Rickshaw) Mobile camera platform for film and video production, featuring removable roof for 270-degree recording, secure mounting for camera operators and sound crew, and flexible routing throughout Cologne. Targeted at production companies and media outlets.
• Teamlicht (Team Lights) Light journey experience through winter Cologne with team-building activities, hot drinks, and approximately 7 atmospheric stops at Cologne highlights. Available for groups of 6 or more. Targeted at corporate team events and group celebrations.
• Radwerkstatt (Bike Workshop) Bicycle workshop service in Cologne city center at Heumarkt, offering short-term and flexible repairs for bicycles, cargo bikes, and rickshaws at fair prices. Targeted at bicycle owners and rickshaw operators.

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hänneschen (Puppentheater)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership with famous Cologne puppet theater during COVID-19 for increased visibility. Special themed rickshaw created for promotional purposes.
• KölnTourismuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTourism board partnership for promoting Cologne to visitors. Rikolonia serves as official tourism partner and receives referrals for city tours and experiences.
• Visit ColognecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial tourism organization partnership for visitor referrals and destination marketing.
• Radio KölnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio station partnership for advertising and promotional activities.
• NetCologneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal telecommunications provider partnership for events and advertising.
• KD Event (Koln-Düsseldorfer)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership combining rickshaw tours with KD river cruise experiences. KD-Kombifahrt offers combined land and water city exploration.
• Time RidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering virtual reality historical experiences combined with rickshaw city tours. TimeRide 1945 and TimeRide 1920s tours combined with modern Cologne exploration.
• Museum LudwigminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for museum events and Museum Night shuttle services.
• RheinEnergieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal energy company partnership for events and advertising.
• Duftmuseum im Farina-HausminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCologne fragrance museum partnership for combined cultural experiences.
• Hard Rock Cafe CologneminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHospitality partnership for events and promotions.
• FieldTurfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for sports turf company events and promotions.
• RüschenbeckminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOptician chain partnership for events and promotions.
• Brauchtum hilft (Schützenverein)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable partnership with shooting club for oncology fundraising. Provided transport services for charity events.
• MaKE Food GmbHminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFood service partner for events and catering arrangements.
• Stadt KölnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCity of Cologne as reference customer and occasional partner for municipal events.
• ScyllaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as reference client for corporate events.
• Ellen KamradminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as reference client for events.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• GetYourGuide: Global online tour and experience marketplace. Rikolonia's tours and TimeRide bundles are discoverable via OTAs like this; they are an enabling distribution channel rather than a competitor.
• Velocab GmbH: Manufacturer of the Velocab rickshaws Rikolonia operates. Adjacent ecosystem participant (equipment supplier); not a direct competitor but the foundational technology partner enabling Rikolonia's fleet.
• TimeRide: Operator of VR-based historical city experiences in Cologne with whom Rikolonia runs bundled TimeRide + rickshaw tours. Strategic partner providing complementary immersive content; not a competitor but tightly intertwined in product.
• Köln-Düsseldorfer (KD) Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt AG: Rhine river-cruise operator partnered with Rikolonia for the KD-Kombifahrt (land + water tour bundle). Adjacent transportation provider; competes loosely for tourist leisure spend rather than directly for the same customer use case.

Broad incumbents

• Fat Tire Tours: International bike and Segway tour operator active in multiple European cities. Comparable only on the human-powered sightseeing category; broader incumbent with multi-city operations rather than rickshaw-specific niche.

Emerging players

• Freewalk Cologne: Cologne-based walking-tour operator serving the same inbound tourist segment via a different mode of transport. Partial-overlap competitor for tourist leisure bookings and team events in the same city.

Direct peers

• Rikscha Berlin: Berlin-based rickshaw/pedicab tour and shuttle operator offering city sightseeing, event transport, and similar services. Directly comparable business model operating the same product category in another major German city.
• Rikscha München: Munich-based rickshaw tour and event-shuttle operator with a similar city-tour and corporate-event proposition. Direct peer operating the same line of business in a comparable German metropolitan market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagram8dc6460bbbb088757ed67ed8fb316b1b-gdprlock/rikolonia_koeln
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rikolonia-rikschamarketing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Rikolonia - Rikschamarketing und Events