“Hello everyone, my name is Laurent. I’m the founder of GoBike, and I’m 24 this year,” Laurent Misso begins, sharing his passion for cycling. GoBike is not just about renting bicycles—it’s about creating experiences. “We’re in the experiences area. We rent out bicycles and host events or tours that let you see Singapore on two wheels.”
Laurent explains how his business stands out. “I classify cyclists into three groups. First, you have the casual cyclists—they’ll use any bike-sharing service. I’m not targeting them. On the other end, you have serious cyclists who spend 20 or 30 thousand dollars on road bikes and race professionally. That’s not my audience either. I focus on the middle group: people who already ride nice bikes back home and those who are willing to spend more for a high-end rental experience, like tourists.”
He explains, “In fact, most of my customers are actually tourists who want a nice bike and a good experience in Singapore. They want to see the city differently, not from a car or a bus, but on two wheels.” By offering high-quality bikes and well-curated tours, GoBike caters to this market, emphasising the uniqueness of exploring Singapore through cycling.
The Evolution of Cycling in Singapore
Laurent delves into Singapore’s cycling culture. “The cycling scene here is still new but here’s a fun fact: In the 60s, Singapore actually had proper cycling lanes on the roads. People couldn’t afford cars back then, so cycling was the main form of transport. But by the 70s and 80s, those lanes disappeared.”
COVID brought cycling back into the spotlight. “It was during COVID that cycling really took off, and it’s still popular today. You see people spending big on road bikes because they enjoy it. But we’re still figuring things out. Painted lanes on pavements aren’t real cycling lanes. Cyclists go 30 kilometers an hour, while pedestrians move at five. Accidents happen. If we want cycling to thrive, we need to rethink the infrastructure.”
Laurent also highlights the diversity within the cycling community. “People see cycling as one thing, but it’s actually made up of different groups—casual users, road bikers, and commuters. Each group has unique needs.”
Scaling an Asset-Heavy Business
Building GoBike has been anything but easy. “GoBike isn’t an app or software business. It’s asset-heavy, and that makes it very cash-intensive,” Laurent explains. “Running this business requires a lot of passion. There were times I thought of walking away. It’s not like what they teach you in business schools—you’re on the ground almost all the time.”
Investors often misunderstand the realities of scaling an asset-heavy business. “Investors always talk about scaling up 10x, but that’s not realistic for us. At most, we can do 3x. One investor even pulled out last minute because they couldn’t accept that. It was tough, but I learned to deeply understand my business model.”
Memorable Moments and Unexpected Beginnings
Laurent reflects on one of his most eye-opening experiences. “After COVID, I traveled to Europe—Poland, Finland, Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands—and cycled in each of these countries. It opened my eyes to how much bigger the world is. That trip inspired what GoBike has become today.”
Interestingly, GoBike wasn’t Laurent’s original plan. “I never intended to start GoBike. I had an accident while cycling on a trail and needed a van driver to help me. He overcharged me, and I was furious. While recovering in the hospital, I decided to start something. Cycling has always been a passion of mine, and that accident was the spark.”
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
As a young entrepreneur, Laurent shares valuable advice. “The average age of an entrepreneur is 45. People like us are outliers. Older entrepreneurs have the networks and capital to make things work. When I made my first $100K in revenue, I spent $3,000 partying and traveling. It was a lesson in valuing time and money.”
He continues, “Think of time as money. If you’re earning $2,000 a month, each hour is worth $8.75. That mindset helps you make better decisions. Also, set realistic goals. Don’t overwhelm yourself by aiming too high too soon. Take things step by step.”
Laurent emphasizes perspective and planning. “I write down my five-year goals and stick them on my wall. Every morning, I see them and remind myself of what I’m working towards. But don’t compare yourself too much to others. Everyone has different goals. Focus on your own path.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Laurent has ambitious plans for GoBike. “I want to build a curated marketplace for high-end bicycles—rare models you can’t find locally. I also want to create a flight service engine for cyclists to navigate airline bicycle policies easily.”
Corporate events are another key focus. “Corporate events bring in the margins we need. I have the bikes and the infrastructure for it. Partnerships with bike shops are crucial for scaling this. Of course, capital is always a challenge, but I’m working on it.”
Find GoBike on their Instagram or their website.
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