Sophia Flörsch, the Formula 3 racing driver from the Alpine Academy, has recently been named an “Angel Brand Ambassador” for NOVUS, a German MobilityTech startup. As one of Europe’s most influential female racers, she is joining forces with the ambitious company as they strive to create a brand new category in mobility: “New-Premium Urban Lightbikes.”
At just 23 years old, Sophia Flörsch is determined to become the first woman in Formula 1. Despite a serious crash in Macau in 2018, the racer from Munich has made an impressive comeback and has her sights set on Formula 1 once again. She has also built up a strong following on social media (815K followers on Instagram) where she regularly shares insights into her life as a racing driver. Now, as part of her mission, Sophia is an “Angel Ambassador” for the German MobilityTech startup NOVUS, bringing her large audience and extensive network in motorsport to the table along with the unique perspective of Generation Z.
By getting involved, she becomes a member of an elite group consisting of distinguished professionals and influential figures in the startup, finance, and mobility fields.
NOVUS
Originally established in 2010 as a project for studying, René Renger and Marcus Weidig have since developed the concept into a whole new category of transportation. With his experience as an interior designer at Volkswagen and successful designs like the VW Golf 8, Polo, and ID.BUZZ, René worked together with Co-Initiator and current Co-CTO Marcus to create a prototype.
In 2019, they showcased their creation at CES in Las Vegas and even received a purchase inquiry from Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s office, which they ultimately turned down. Following this, René Renger went on to found NOVUS GmbH and has been collaborating with his team and leading Tier 1 automotive suppliers for four years to develop an “Urban Lightbike.”
In terms of design, the lightweight structure takes inspiration from the full carbon monocoque frame used in Formula 1 racing. Professional Formula 3 driver Sophia Flörsch is well-acquainted with the impressive capabilities of the wheel hub motor situated on the rear wheel, which can produce up to 400 Nm of torque. She shares the team’s limitless mindset and ambitious goals. As a member of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list, she believes that boundaries are meant to be pushed and surpassed.”
Despite her lifelong love for cars and lack of interest in motorcycles, the female racer has been won over by the NOVUS bike. She explains, “I’ve always had a strong passion for cars, especially racing cars, and never felt a similar connection to two-wheelers. But with NOVUS, it’s different. It doesn’t feel like just another motorcycle designed for men; instead, it feels like an “iPhone on two wheels,” a super cool vehicle from the future!”
According to the founder and designer, René Renger, in order to revolutionize an industry and create a new market, it takes innovative individuals, a visionary team, and a truly inspiring product. Sophia Flörsch has been deeply inspired and she is eager to share this inspiration with women and her young followers in particular.
