EICMA2019 was a milestone for Carbogatto. It proved the market’s interest in our concept but also set in motion a series of events that reshaped the entire project. From early pre-orders to a critical audit, from supply chain disruptions to the decision to develop an entirely new model—this is a story of bold decisions and relentless perseverance.
What is EICMA?
EICMA (Esposizione Internazionale Ciclo Motociclo e Accessori) is the world’s largest exhibition for two-wheeled transportation, held annually in Milan since 1914. It is the industry’s key event where brands unveil the latest technologies, concepts, and production models. The exhibition begins with exclusive days for press and business professionals before opening to the public.
Securing a Place at EICMA
In the spring of 2019, Carbogatto completed its second Seed Round, allocating a limited budget for regional exhibitions to gauge market demand. EICMA was not part of the original plan—applications had closed months earlier, and we had neither certified models nor a structured logistics plan.
Yet, just six weeks before the event, an unexpected opportunity arose: a stand had become available. It was a decision made in an instant.
“We didn’t have time to consider all the implications—this was a one-shot opportunity, and we took it.
What we didn’t know was that this would be the beginning of a journey that would redefine our entire project.
Racing Against Time
At the time, we had only two test prototypes of the Carbogatto H7, with two more that needed to be prepared from scratch. The engineering team worked at full capacity, but the biggest challenge remained: how to get the bikes to Milan?
Shipping companies refused to transport them due to uncertified batteries. The only viable solution was to purchase a Ford Tourneo Custom and personally drive the prototypes across Europe as “personal belongings.”
“We loaded the van to the roof, carefully arranging each prototype to look like a set of racing bicycles. Spare road bike wheels and cycling gear were strategically placed—we knew border control might ask questions."
It was a grueling two-day journey, 3,000 kilometers with no real sleep, crossing multiple borders under the guise of transporting racing bicycles. By the time we reached Milan, exhaustion was setting in—but the real test was just beginning.
An Unforeseen Advantage
Arriving at Fiera Milano, we were met with an unexpected setback—our stand was poorly prepared. But luck was on our side: right next to us stood Harley-Davidson’s massive display, where they were about to unveil their highly anticipated LiveWire electric motorcycles.
This stroke of fortune ensured a constant stream of visitors. Those drawn to Harley’s electric revolution soon found themselves standing at our booth, curious about Carbogatto. By the end of the day, our engineering and management teams had arrived, ready for what would be an intense week ahead.
Interest Turns into Demand
The first two days—reserved for press, distributors, and industry professionals—became a whirlwind of negotiations. Interest in Carbogatto was undeniable, with distributors from across the world proposing exclusive partnerships.
Once the exhibition opened to the public, our stand became a focal point. Visitors didn’t just want to look—they wanted to sit, touch, and experience Carbogatto firsthand. The intensity was overwhelming.
“After three days of nonstop engagement, we had to temporarily rope off the stand. For a moment, we just needed to breathe.
Demand surged. Hundreds of pre-orders flooded our online configurator during and after the event. But reality struck: we had no production in place and no sales department to process orders.
A Hard Stop
The market was asking for a delivery timeline. We didn’t have one. While demand was strong, we knew we had to step back. The website was deliberately closed, and the focus shifted entirely to development. What followed would define Carbogatto’s future.
The IDIADA Audit: A Reality Check
Riding on the momentum from EICMA, we commissioned a technical audit from IDIADA to prepare for certification. The results were sobering.
Rather than qualifying for L1e-A certification, Carbogatto was classified as L1e-B, which required a significantly more complex approval process, involving extensive regulatory compliance and certification in every market. The audit uncovered dozens of issues, four of which were deemed critical.
“There was no simple fix. Every adjustment led to new challenges—it became clear that this wasn’t just a question of paperwork. The entire framework of the product had to be re-evaluated.
More details on this audit can be found in the article "Forged Through Generations: Carbogatto H7" The realization hit hard. Even if the world had continued as usual, we were already facing an uphill battle. And then—everything stopped.
Lockdown, Crisis, and a Defining Decision
COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted global supply chains, halting production and logistics. Companies we had relied on were suddenly unable to operate. Momentum had been gained, but forward movement became impossible. Funding was running out. More on the financial challenges of this period can be found in the article "Carbogatto Investment Story".
For a year, we worked to adapt the H7 to the certification requirements. But every adjustment uncovered new complexities. By August 2020, it became clear: we had to start over.
The decision was made to develop an entirely new model from scratch—one that would incorporate everything we had learned.
This is how Carbogatto LR Monocoque was born. It was not an iteration of the H7—it was a complete technological reinvention. If the H7 was an iPhone 5, the LR Monocoque was an iPhone 15—a product designed from the ground up with precision, performance, and compliance in mind.
No Ready-Made Solution? We Built Our Own.
As we moved forward, another obstacle emerged: there were no existing electronics systems that met our requirements. After exhausting all available options, we realized there was only one path forward: we had to develop our own onboard electronics.
This necessity led to the formation of an internal R&D division, which would eventually evolve into driveeco.electronics—a separate company focused entirely on advanced electronic systems.
The Final Blow – Sanctions and Relocation
By the time Carbogatto LR Monocoque had taken shape, another challenge arose: geopolitical restrictions.
In 2022, new sanctions made it impossible to maintain operations under the existing structure. The company had to relocate its headquarters to Dubai, leading to a full-scale restructuring of logistics, supply chains, and financial operations.
The Journey Continues
What started as a leap of faith at EICMA turned into a relentless pursuit of perfection. From exhibition floors to global crises, from supply chain failures to self-reliance in engineering, from financial strain to navigating regulatory landscapes—the road was anything but smooth.
But the pursuit continues. Carbogatto is not just a product of engineering—it’s a testament to perseverance. Discover the full story in the series "Forged Through Generations"