One year of cakeservice.co : From flat tires to a global community

One year ago, Sebastian and I set out with a simple mission: to keep CAKE riders on the road after the bankruptcy of CAKE left many stranded. What started as a passion project has since grown into a thriving boutique e-commerce and service company, built entirely from the ground up. And its success is thanks to you.

How We Met

Sebastian and I first crossed paths in Stockholm in the fall of 2023. I had a flat tire on my Makka—front or rear, I honestly can’t remember anymore, and it doesn’t matter for the story. At the time, Sebastian was working as an independent technician, and I was still in the computer games industry, doing marketing.

Our first meeting was quick and transactional—fix the bike, pay, ride on. Nothing more. We didn’t think much of it.

It wasn’t until the late spring of 2024, when I had another breakdown—this time the other tire—that we actually had a chance to chat. By then, the collapse of CAKE was fresh in everyone’s minds. For Sebastian, it meant figuring out how to source parts and keep bikes on the road. For me, it was the uncertainty of being an owner—wondering if I’d even be able to keep riding in the future.

Both of us were worried. Both of us were trying to make sense of what would come next. And at that moment, we still didn’t really know each other—yet.

But that flat tire was the start of a much bigger journey.

From Flat Tires to a Business

Not long after that spring conversation, the real turning point came. There was an opportunity to buy out the CAKE warehouse. It wasn’t something you just stumble into every day—and it definitely wasn’t something you could do half-heartedly.

For Sebastian and me, this meant moving from casual conversations to serious decisions almost overnight. We had to get to know each other quickly—not just as fellow riders or acquaintances, but as potential business partners. Could we trust each other? Could we share responsibility? Could we jump into the unknown together?

In a matter of weeks, we went from swapping stories about broken tires to drafting a business plan, setting up a company, and scrambling to secure funding. It was chaotic, intense, and more than a little risky. But it was also exhilarating.

That urgency forced us to skip the slow introductions and instead build trust through action. Every call, every meeting, every late-night discussion pulled us closer into alignment. We realized that what connected us wasn’t just a shared frustration over CAKE’s collapse, but a shared belief: riders deserved better, and someone had to step up to make it happen.

And just like that—out of flat tires, late-night strategy sessions, and a leap of faith—our company was born. /Stefan

What We’ve Built Together

• Service for riders worldwide – We now serve both B2B fleet operators and individual riders.

• Global reach – We’ve shipped parts and supported customers in 25 countries, from India and Taiwan to Canada, Australia, the US, across the EU, and many more.

• A workshop at the heart of the community – We took over the official CAKE workshop in Stockholm, making sure riders have a trusted home for repairs and maintenance.

• Smart scaling – Our AI agent “Hermann” helped us expand the team with the money and staff we didn't have.  It adds tons of knowledge of CAKE bikes on a weekly basis.

• Reliable operations – From Shopify and Stripe to FedEx, UPS, and DHL, we’ve built a backbone of integrations that make sure every order and service runs smoothly.

The Highs and the Lows

The community support has been incredible, and it drives us forward. But it hasn’t always been easy. One of the toughest moments came when our applications for bank financing were rejected—despite solid finances. Instead of giving in, we doubled down, made plans, hustled harder, and managed to secure funding ourselves.

Looking Ahead

We’ve already serviced 500 bikes in our first year—but that’s just the beginning. There are still more than 5,000 bikes and riders out there waiting for reliable aftersales and service. Our goal is to continue building that support system for CAKE.

Our vision and goal is to partner with other electric mobility brands to keep the global movement of electric micro mobility alive.

This has been a year powered by passion, persistence, and community. To every rider, partner, and supporter: thank you for believing in us. To our wives and girlfriends: we couldn’t have done it without you.

Here’s to many more miles together.
Ride On.