Loading organizations...
Loading organizations...
Spinlister is a company.
Spinlister has raised $220K across 1 funding round.
Key people at Spinlister.
Spinlister has raised $220K in total across 1 funding round.
Spinlister operates as a peer-to-peer online marketplace for outdoor sporting equipment. The platform allows individuals to rent out their personal bikes, surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, skis, and snowboards, connecting owners with local and traveling enthusiasts. Its core capability lies in facilitating secure transactions and scheduling for gear rentals, offering a decentralized solution for accessing specialized equipment.
The company initially launched in 2012, co-founded by Will Dennis and Jeffrey Noh, driven by the insight to create an "Airbnb for bikes." This original vision aimed to leverage underutilized personal sporting gear by connecting cyclists for short-term rentals. After a period of rebranding and subsequent closure, the concept was revitalized by investor Marcelo Loureiro, who brought Spinlister back to its foundational peer-to-peer model for various outdoor equipment.
Spinlister primarily serves outdoor adventurers seeking convenient, temporary access to gear, alongside individuals looking to monetize their idle equipment. The company envisions a future where access to outdoor sports is democratized through community sharing, fostering sustainable consumption patterns, and enabling more people to explore and enjoy their passions globally.
Key people at Spinlister.
Spinlister has raised $220K in total across 1 funding round.
Spinlister has raised $220K across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $220K Seed in May 2012.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2012 | $220K Seed |
Spinlister was a peer-to-peer sharing platform founded in 2011 that enabled users to rent outdoor equipment, primarily bicycles, from other individuals and retailers worldwide. It served travelers, local renters, and bike owners by providing a marketplace to monetize idle bikes and access affordable rentals, solving the problem of underutilized personal bikes and limited rental options. At its peak, Spinlister operated in over 60 countries with tens of thousands of listings, including bikes, snow sports, and watersports equipment. Despite early growth and global reach, the company faced leadership changes, funding challenges, and ultimately shut down its service by 2024 after being acquired by Rokit[1][2][3].
Spinlister was founded by Will Dennis and Jeff Noh, who originated the idea after Dennis successfully rented his own bike via Craigslist in New York City. The concept evolved into a formal peer-to-peer bike rental marketplace, launching initially in New York and San Francisco in 2011-2012. Early traction included rapid user adoption and expansion across the U.S., with a unique model requiring renters to also list bikes to increase supply. Investor Marcelo Loureiro later took over and rebranded the company back to Spinlister after a brief period as Liquid, refocusing on bike sharing. Key moments included national expansion, partnerships with bike shops, and eventual acquisition by Rokit in 2020[1][3][4][5].
Spinlister rode the broader trend of the sharing economy and the rise of peer-to-peer marketplaces, leveraging underused assets (personal bikes) to meet growing demand for flexible, affordable outdoor recreation. The timing aligned with increasing urban cycling popularity, tourism growth, and the desire for sustainable transportation alternatives. Market forces such as the rise of mobile platforms, trust-building via insurance, and the growth of experiential travel favored Spinlister’s model. Its influence extended to encouraging bike shops to adopt rental services and demonstrating the viability of peer-to-peer outdoor equipment sharing[1][3][4].
Looking forward, Spinlister’s trajectory highlights challenges in scaling peer-to-peer platforms sustainably, especially in capital-intensive sectors like bike rentals. Although the original Spinlister service ceased by 2024, its acquisition by Rokit suggests potential integration into broader mobility or outdoor equipment ecosystems. Future trends shaping this space include electric bike adoption, enhanced digital trust mechanisms, and hybrid models combining peer-to-peer with retail rentals. Spinlister’s legacy lies in pioneering a global peer-to-peer bike rental marketplace, setting a foundation for future innovations in shared outdoor mobility[1][5].
