Stark Future: Radically Fast, Sustainable and Built to Last

Visionary Anton Wass grew up in a small Swedish village, where his days were filled with the company of dogs and horses. His life took a pivotal turn, however, when he witnessed a neighbor tearing through the local fields and forests on a motocross bike. That moment ignited a passion for a different kind of horsepower. By age 10, Wass had his first bike—a battered secondhand machine—and soon he was knee-deep in the world of engines, rebuilding motorcycles, cars and e-motors. At just 16, he co-founded an e-commerce business from a Stockholm basement, which skyrocketed within a decade to become the world's largest online retailer of motorcycle spare parts and accessories.

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“I’ve been a motorcycle nerd my whole life,” says Wass, now founder and CEO of Stark Future, an electric motorcycle company that’s pushing the boundaries of performance, crafting bikes designed to outclass the top gas-powered models in every major category. And this bold strategy is already paying off: Stark Varg, the company's groundbreaking motocross bike, achieved bestseller status in a market that saw few contenders previously.

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“Stark” means “strong” in Swedish, and the name, Wass says, embodies the company’s dedication to revolutionizing the motorcycle industry with powerful, clean and sustainable electric technology. Stark Future’s success is fueled by cutting-edge technology, all designed and developed in-house—from electric motors and electronics to battery packs and chassis—resulting in motorcycles with unmatched power and performance. According to Wass, the bikes deliver more power and superior power-to-weight ratios than traditional gas models while offering a smoother ride, thanks to the elimination of gears and clutches. This game-changing innovation has caught the eye of industry titans, like Yamaha, which use Stark Future as the gold standard for developing their own electric motorbikes.

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“Before we launched this bike, none of the big OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] were focused on building electric motocross bikes,” says Wass. “We proved that the future is electric by making an electric product that’s better.”

Before we launched this bike, none of the big OEMs were focused on building electric motocross bikes. We proved that the future is electric by making an electric product that’s better.

In 2021, Stark Future made a bold entrance with the Stark Varg, unveiling it in a 16-minute video with zero prior hype—no teasers, no announcements. The video went viral, and within weeks over 250 motorcycle magazines worldwide were buzzing about it. Sales were even more staggering: 850 bikes sold in the first 24 hours and 16,000 in the first year, all without a single dollar spent on marketing. Wass proudly claims it as "the most successful launch of any motorcycle company."

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The Stark Varg showcases significant advancements in battery technology and powertrain efficiency. It features a patent-pending air-cooled honeycomb magnesium battery case, which is lightweight and effectively distributes heat by connecting every battery cell directly to the casing, a design that ensures optimal cooling, reduces weight and maximizes battery life.

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While sustainability isn't front and center in the marketing of the Stark Varg, it’s deeply woven into the fabric of Stark Future’s mission. The Barcelona-based powerhouse, on the brink of becoming Spain's fastest-growing startup in history, is leading by example by powering its factory with green energy and collaborating with suppliers and logistics partners to slash carbon dioxide emissions. Beyond that, the company is breaking new ground in eco-friendly innovation, minimizing plastic in products and packaging and pioneering biodegradable materials in motorcycle components.

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A standout achievement is a fully compostable crash guard crafted from bio-nylon, setting a new standard in sustainable design. “It's even food grade, which is pretty cool,” says Wass, noting that standard guards shed harmful microplastics when bumping over rough terrain. What’s equally cool, he continues, is that the new material doesn’t compromise performance. “It really is just better.”

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The company invests in cutting-edge tools and technology, including robotics for assembly and virtual reality for design simulations, which empower the team to experiment and innovate without constraints, says Wass. Stark Future encourages a culture of curiosity and frontier thinking by integrating experts from diverse backgrounds—MotoGP, design studios and motorcycle manufacturers. “The company values both dreamers and doers,” he says. “We encourage employees to think big and pursue new, unconventional solutions.”

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Looking ahead, Stark Future plans to roll out enduro and supermoto bikes. The company is also hard at work on new platforms that promise even higher levels of technical innovation, though the specifics are not yet public. True to their ethos, sustainability will continue to go hand in hand with performance, even if it's not always in the spotlight. "We're not here to force the world to go sustainable," Wass says. "We're here to make sustainability the most irresistible option."

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