Meet the Founder
ENVO founder Ali Kazemkhani grew up in Tehran, where severe air pollution and dependence on cars made the consequences of transportation choices visible every day. His fascination with electric mobility, however, began much earlier.
At around eight years old, Ali took a small motor from his father’s broken tape recorder, connected it to batteries, and used it to spin the wheel of his bicycle. The wheel spun fast in the air, so he turned the bicycle over expecting it to move.
It did not.
The motor had speed, but not enough torque or power. Understanding why would eventually take him to mechanical engineering, but the experiment stayed with him. His father’s work at a battery manufacturing company also gave him early exposure to different batteries and electrical systems.
Ali went on to study mechanical engineering and continued working on lightweight transportation and electric propulsion. In 2002, he developed and patented a Universal Electric Bicycle Conversion Kit.
His entrepreneurial path was far from straightforward. Before moving to Canada, Ali recalls going through approximately 62 failed startup ideas alongside two successful ventures—years of practical education in persistence, sales, markets, and business survival.
Starting Again in Canada
In 2015, Ali immigrated to Canada.
He first looked for an existing company where he could apply his experience in electric bicycles and lightweight mobility. He could not find the right organization or opportunity.
So he decided to build one.
The business started as eBikeBC, focused on converting conventional bicycles into electric bicycles through motors, batteries, controllers, components, installation, and technical support.
At the time, e-bikes were still relatively rare and expensive. Conversion systems offered a practical and affordable way for customers to electrify bicycles they already owned.
For roughly the first two years, it was essentially a one-man operation. Ali handled engineering, product development, sales, customer service, purchasing, supply chain, and logistics himself. The first employee joined around two years later.
From there, the company grew step by step: conversion kits led to complete e-bikes, then trikes, snow vehicles, utility products, new mobility platforms, acquisitions, and international manufacturing.
Built by Many
Although the journey began with Ali, ENVO was built by many people.
Over the years, more than 100 employees and partners have contributed to ENVO’s growth.
They helped develop products, solve engineering and manufacturing challenges, build sales and service networks, support customers, establish supply chains, and take ENVO into new markets.
“I feel lucky to have found partners and employees who share the same vision and values. It’s great to live in a time and place where communities understand and support what we’re doing - our ‘ENVOlution.’”
—Ali Kazemkhani
