Michael Hecken

Everybody has ideas. Only few people have what it takes to transform them into reality. Whatever that certain something is,Michael Hecken – founder of Berlin’s “Grace” e-bike enterprise – has got it. With a relentless entrepreneurial spirit, perseverance, and a pinch of madness, Hecken managed to turn his loose idea into something that may very well change the face of future transportation.

Tired with the computer software industry, Michael Hecken moved from London to Berlin and purchased the Wehrmühle Biesenthal – a landmark mill property dating back to the 14th century. In 2003, while fixing up the derelict complex, the eco-minded genius started thinking about e-bikes and decided to boldly build one himself. This self-proclaimed crazy idea soon turned into the exquisitely designed, fully electronic motorbike “Grace.” Lighter pedelec versions like “Grace Easy” followed, Daimler-Benz/SMART came on board with a large collaboration order, and by the time the Mifa-AG acquired “Grace”, hundreds of bikes were being produced monthly. We visited the mile-a-minute businessman at his beautifully restored property in Biesenthal and also his Charlottenburg factory to talk about e-bikes, creativity, his childhood growing up in the German town of Oberwinter, and his advice for the Berlin’s ever-growing start-up scene. via freundevonfreunden

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