On October 21, 2020, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise visit to Unit City in Kyiv, where he met with residents and checked on their well-being during the ongoing pandemic. During the visit, he was introduced to Delfast’s electric bike for the first time, and the encounter left a strong impression on him.

Zelensky was impressed by the innovation and potential of Delfast’s e-bikes and immediately pledged his support for the company’s efforts to establish production within Ukraine. This came as a huge relief to the founders, Daniel Tonkopiy and Serhii Denysenko, who had been working hard to expand their business while navigating the challenges brought on by the global health crisis.

During the meeting, Tonkopiy shared that Delfast’s sales had surged by 4 to 5 times since the start of the quarantine period. He also highlighted how more people were turning to bicycles and electric bikes as a safer alternative to public transport and cars, especially in light of the pandemic.

As the conversation continued, Zelensky expressed interest in the state of cycling infrastructure in Ukraine. When told that proper bike lanes were scarce in most cities—including Kyiv—Zelensky seemed genuinely concerned. The president noted that this lack of infrastructure was a major barrier to promoting sustainable transportation in the country.

Tonkopiy then revealed one of Delfast’s main challenges: their production was currently based in China. While the company wanted to move manufacturing to Ukraine, they needed government support to make it happen. Zelensky responded positively, saying, “I am ready to support the production of e-bikes in Ukraine.” He even suggested Bila Tserkva, located about 80 kilometers from Kyiv, as a potential location for the new factory.

The moment sparked some light-hearted banter from the crowd, with one person joking that the president had now become the “investment nanny” for Delfast. Despite the humor, the promise of government backing marked a significant milestone for the startup, which is rapidly gaining traction in the growing e-mobility market.

With the right support, Delfast could not only boost local employment but also contribute to Ukraine’s transition toward greener transportation solutions. As the country continues to evolve, stories like this show how innovation and political will can come together to drive meaningful change.