Despite being a fairly new player in the e-bike market in Australia, Burzerk has grown to be a fast-growing business. In fact, it has earned over $300,000 in revenue during its first seven months in operation, with the momentum not stopping anytime soon. We talk to Adam Beard, the entrepreneur behind Burzerk, to find out how the start-up managed to surpass expectations.
ISB: What inspired you to start Burzerk?
AB: I was watching a guy ride past on an e-bike and instantly imagined myself in his place – I just knew I wanted one. Later, I had a dream that took me back to Pop and Grandma’s farm, ripping around on motorbikes with my brother. Whenever the parents yelled, “You better slow down – going berserk like that, you’ll hurt yourself!” It only fueled the fire. We charged it even harder. That memory hit me hard, and I woke up knowing I needed to build something real that captured the feeling of freedom. Within five minutes, I’d registered the Burzerk name and domains. No hesitation – with the “charge it” mindset.
ISB: Where did your initial funding come from and how did you deploy this across the business?
AB: The initial funding came from a private loan. From there, we quickly found our footing and learned to navigate the stormy seas of start-up life – something I know many readers here will relate to. Strategically, I focused the investment on product development and marketing while ensuring we had systems in place to understand our logistics and e-commerce data. This gave us insight into key areas – customer targeting, content strategy, and distribution channels that suited our product: electric bikes. Planning ahead is crucial, especially with a three-month lead time for production and shipping to Australia. You’ve got to be both proactive and flexible to stay in flow.
ISB: What marketing moves helped you stand out from your competition?
AB: We focused on building a brand around a feeling, not just features. The story, the nostalgia, the energy – that’s what people connect with. Our slogan, “charge it,” is about more than just hitting the throttle – it’s about showing up, pushing through, and choosing courage. We’ve leaned into strong visual storytelling and community-focused content that reflects relatable scenarios. On the retail front, having major partners like Harvey Norman, Bunnings, and Myer on board has been amazing. We also recently partnered with Tracks, which featured our e-bike in a Rip Curl campaign.
ISB: You sold over $300k worth of products in your first seven months. What actions were most pivotal in achieving this?
AB: A third of those sales came from in-person efforts – it was a busy summer! Behind the scenes, it was long nights learning to be a bike mechanic, writing email flows, creating ad campaigns, managing socials, updating the website, monitoring performance, writing articles, shooting content, looking after customers, building networks, partnerships – doing it all. I’ve even fallen into the rabbit hole of AI implementation a few times! There’s always more to do, so prioritisation is everything. The key was caring enough to actually act – that’s what brings things to life. That mindset of “charge it!” didn’t just apply to riding – it became my business compass.
ISB: What was the most challenging obstacle you faced, and how did you overcome it?
AB: Working with overseas suppliers comes with challenges, especially around communication. I’ve learned the value of partnering with people who are coherent, reliable, and aligned. Managing everything solo was intense. Every day I was across product development, inventory, logistics, marketing – basically all operations. I had to learn to give myself space to recharge – beach time really helped. I also made time for surfing, running, tennis, soccer, and the gym to stay balanced. Good food, water, exercise, sleep, and the right environment make a big difference. Eventually, bringing in advisors, a marketing team, and mentors gave me the clarity and structure I needed.
ISB: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in this business journey?
The one lesson that stands out is this: when you’re truly passionate about something, and you take fast, intentional action like your life depends on it – it resonates. People feel that energy. Some customers have taken a bike for a spin, come back, and within minutes, I’m seeing the funds in my account. I like to take a genuine but brutally honest approach, and I think that builds trust. Finding the right balance between work and personal/social life was tough at times, but collaborations like the Tracks party reminded me to enjoy the ride. The surf industry crew have the best vibe.
