GeoOrbital

GeoOrbital is an American electric-mobility brand centered on a replacement wheel that adds electric propulsion to an existing bicycle. Rather than requiring customers to purchase a complete electric bicycle, the system was designed as a retrofit: the original front wheel could be removed and replaced with a GeoOrbital wheel containing an electric motor, battery components, and the associated control hardware. The concept addressed a practical barrier in the early consumer e-bike market by presenting electrification as an upgrade to a bicycle a customer already owned. The company was founded in 2014 by Michael Burtov. According to the brand's published account, Burtov developed the idea after watching the film Tron and considering how much unused space exists inside a conventional bicycle wheel. That observation led to a design in which the wheel itself became the principal propulsion module. GeoOrbital's approach sought to simplify installation compared with more complex bicycle-conversion systems, with the product intended to fit nearly any bicycle subject to wheel-size and compatibility requirements. At launch, the system was offered in two wheel sizes. The motor and battery configuration was described as capable of reaching approximately 20 miles per hour, with a stated battery range of about 12 miles under powered use. The range could be extended to approximately 30 miles when the rider contributed through pedaling. These specifications positioned GeoOrbital between a conventional bicycle accessory and a compact electric-bicycle drivetrain, emphasizing convenience, portability, and the ability to retain the customer's existing bicycle frame. GeoOrbital first attracted broad public attention through crowdfunding. Its Kickstarter campaign in May and June 2016 reportedly reached its initial fundraising goal of $75,000 within 78 minutes and ultimately generated $1,261,222 in pledges for roughly 1,600 wheels. The campaign brought coverage from technology and general-interest publications, including TechCrunch, The Irish Times, The Huffington Post, The Verge, and Gadgette. The product was also demonstrated during TechCrunch Disrupt NY in Brooklyn in May 2016, helping establish the brand among technology-focused consumers and early adopters of personal electric transportation. The company later obtained approximately $150,000 from a group of independent angel investors, although the available reference material does not identify the investors or provide a complete financing history. In May 2017, GeoOrbital launched a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine. This represented a further attempt to finance the business through a public-facing investment platform rather than relying solely on product pre-orders or conventional venture funding. GeoOrbital's positioning was built around retrofit electrification: a familiar bicycle, a comparatively straightforward wheel replacement, and an electric assist system packaged into a highly visible mechanical component. Its principal differentiation was the wheel-based architecture, which contrasted with conversion kits that place motors in hubs, bottom brackets, or other bicycle components. The available material documents the company's founding, crowdfunding activity, product concept, and early specifications, but does not establish its current ownership, headquarters, product availability, executive team, or operating status. Accordingly, the brand's present commercial condition remains unclear.

GeoOrbital was established in 2014 by Michael Burtov in the United States. The original concept came from Burtov's observation, inspired by the film Tron, that the interior volume of a bicycle wheel could be used more effectively. Instead of developing a complete electric bicycle, he pursued a wheel-based system that could replace an existing bicycle wheel and provide electric propulsion. The resulting product was designed as a conversion device for conventional bicycles. It integrated the motor and battery into the wheel assembly and was intended to fit nearly any bicycle within the applicable wheel-size and mechanical constraints. At launch, GeoOrbital offered two wheel sizes. The published performance claims described a top speed of approximately 20 miles per hour and battery endurance of around 12 miles, with total travel of up to approximately 30 miles when the rider also pedaled. The company used crowdfunding to validate demand and finance production. Its Kickstarter campaign ran in May and June 2016. The campaign reportedly reached its $75,000 target in 78 minutes and eventually attracted $1,261,222 in pledges connected with pre-orders for approximately 1,600 wheels. The campaign generated substantial technology and consumer-media attention, with coverage reported from TechCrunch, The Irish Times, The Huffington Post, The Verge, Gadgette, and other outlets. GeoOrbital also received approximately $150,000 from independent angel investors. The available reference does not identify the investors, the precise financing date, or the terms of the investment. In May 2016, a GeoOrbital-powered bicycle appeared at TechCrunch Disrupt NY in Brooklyn, providing a public product demonstration and reinforcing the company's technology-startup profile. In May 2017, the company launched a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign through StartEngine. The offering followed the Kickstarter campaign and gave members of the public another route to support or invest in the business. No reliable material supplied for this dossier establishes the outcome of that offering, later product generations, current ownership, current leadership, or whether the brand remains commercially active. The documented history therefore ends with the 2017 StartEngine campaign, while the present status of GeoOrbital requires verification.

• 2017

  StartEngine Regulation Crowdfunding campaign

  [1]GeoOrbitalen.wikipedia.org

  GeoOrbital launched a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine in May 2017.

• 2016

  Kickstarter campaign launches

  [1]GeoOrbitalen.wikipedia.org

  GeoOrbital launched its principal Kickstarter campaign in May 2016. It reached its stated $75,000 goal within 78 minutes and later reported $1,261,222 in pledges for roughly 1,600 wheels.

• 2016

  Product appears at TechCrunch Disrupt NY

  [1]GeoOrbitalen.wikipedia.org

  A bicycle equipped with the GeoOrbital system was featured at TechCrunch Disrupt NY in Brooklyn in May 2016.

• 2014

  GeoOrbital is founded

  [1]GeoOrbitalen.wikipedia.org

  Michael Burtov founded GeoOrbital to develop a wheel-based electric conversion system for conventional bicycles.

A retrofit electric-bicycle solution that converts many conventional bicycles into powered bikes by replacing a wheel rather than requiring purchase of a complete e-bike.

• Electric bicycle conversion system · 2016

  GeoOrbital electric wheel

  The GeoOrbital electric wheel was designed to replace an existing bicycle wheel and add powered propulsion to a conventional bicycle. The wheel assembly incorporated an electric motor and battery components, with two sizes offered at launch. Published specifications described a top speed of approximately 20 miles per hour and a powered range of about 12 miles, extendable to roughly 30 miles with rider pedaling. The product's central proposition was simplified retrofit electrification without replacing the bicycle frame.

• 2017StartEngine Regulation Crowdfunding campaign

  United States

  GeoOrbital sought additional public-facing financing through a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign hosted on StartEngine.

  Outcome. The available reference confirms that the campaign launched but does not establish its final amount raised or outcome.

  Source
• 2016Kickstarter launch campaign

  International crowdfunding audience

  GeoOrbital used Kickstarter to introduce and pre-sell its electric wheel system. The campaign quickly exceeded its initial target and generated more than $1.26 million in reported pledges.

  Outcome. The campaign was reported as successful, producing approximately 1,600 pre-purchase pledges and significant media coverage.

  Source

• 2017

  Use Regulation Crowdfunding for additional financingStrategy

  Background

  After its Kickstarter campaign, GeoOrbital pursued another publicly accessible financing route.

  Action taken

  The company launched a Regulation Crowdfunding campaign on StartEngine in May 2017.

  Aftermath

  The available reference does not document the final result of the StartEngine offering.

  Source

• 2016

  Launch the GeoOrbital electric wheel through KickstarterProduct launch

  Background

  The company needed to validate consumer demand and fund production for its newly developed electric bicycle wheel.

  Action taken

  GeoOrbital launched a Kickstarter campaign offering the wheel system through pre-purchase pledges.

  Aftermath

  The campaign reached its $75,000 goal within 78 minutes and ultimately reported $1,261,222 in pledges during May and June 2016.

  Crowdfunding pledges. $1,261,222 (May-June 2016)

  Source

• 2014

  Pursue a wheel-based bicycle-conversion architectureStrategy

  Background

  The founding concept focused on using space inside a bicycle wheel to deliver electric propulsion while retaining the customer's existing bicycle.

  Action taken

  GeoOrbital developed a replacement wheel containing the motor and battery system rather than launching a complete electric bicycle.

  Aftermath

  The architecture defined the brand's differentiation and supported its retrofit-oriented crowdfunding proposition.

  Source

1. 1GeoOrbitalen.wikipedia.org