Rever, the popular motorcycle route tracking app for smartphones, just got a serious boost today. The news sees BMW’s investing arm, BMW i Ventures, investing in the social media company, while BMW Motorrad will form a strategic partnership with Rever as well.
Details about the deal are a bit vague beyond the aforementioned, though one can logically deduce that BMW will be able to use the Rever platform for its riders, adding a connected social element for BMW Motorrad.
Of course for Rever, this means the startup has the backing of one of the strongest motorcycle brands in the world, along with a strategic investment – a two-fer for the Colorado company.
“We see the future of motorcycling as a connected experience, one that has riders using the latest technology to enhance their rides and allow others to share their passion for riding,” said Heiner Faust, VP of Sales and Marketing at BMW Motorrad.
“Rever is offering a very promising mobile technology in our industry and we are very excited about the future business potential we see together with Rever.”
For BMW, the investment and partnership in Rever will help the German manufacturer make its motorcycles “stickier” with consumers, creating a need for motorcyclists to stay within the BMW brand when they look to buy a new motorcycle.
Rever will also give BMW a more appealing offer to younger riders, which is not only the notion du jour in the motorcycle industry, but also comes at an apt time as BMW pushes into the entry-level market with the BMW G310R motorcycle and its subsequent sister machines.
“Motorcyclists are extremely passionate, adventurous people,” says Justin Bradshaw, Co-Founder of Rever. “But we’ve lacked a motorcycle specific environment to share our passions, experiences and ideas. Working with BMW, we will bring innovative technology to the fore and make the entire motorcycle riding experience more accessible, more rewarding and more connected.”
In addition to today’s news with BMW, Rever has built a cache of relationships with established industry brands. For instance, premium Rever accounts get access to Butler Maps, and Rever enjoys a cozy relationship with the Bonnier, which owns Cycle World, Motorcyclist, and Sport Rider magazine.
Source: Rever
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