CLEW
Offers you a distinctive snowboarding experience with proven buckle system and the convenience of a quick and easy step-in function.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | investor | €0.0 | round |
N/A | Grant | ||
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
| EUR | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| % growth | - | 42 % | 327 % | - | - |
| EBITDA | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| Profit | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| % profit margin | - | - | (19 %) | - | - |
| EV | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
| EV / revenue | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x |
| EV / EBITDA | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x | 00.0x |
| R&D budget | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 | 0000 |
Source: Company filings or news article
CLEW, a Munich-based company founded in 2019, designs and sells snowboard bindings with a step-in function. The company was established by Johannes Weckerle, Matthias Albrecht, Jakob Schneider, and Jan Mewis. The idea originated when co-founder Jakob, a skier, was learning to snowboard and found the constant strapping in and out after lift rides to be a hassle compared to skiing. This personal pain point, shared by his co-founders, who were mechanical engineering students, sparked the development of a new type of binding. They aimed to combine the convenience of a step-in system with the performance feel of traditional strap bindings.
CLEW’s business model is primarily direct-to-consumer through its website, supplemented by a network of local dealers. This approach allows them to raise brand awareness through digital marketing while providing a physical retail presence for customers who prefer to see the product before purchasing. The company emphasizes its "Made in Germany" production, which allows for greater control over quality and shorter delivery routes. They also involve a local workshop for people with disabilities in their production process.
The company's core product is the CLEW Freedom 1.0 binding, which features a patented two-part system. One part, the base, is mounted to the snowboard, while the other, a lightweight highback with straps, is attached to any standard snowboard boot. This allows riders to use their preferred boots, a key differentiator from other step-in systems that require brand-specific footwear. To engage the binding, the rider steps into the baseplate, and a locking mechanism secures the highback. To release, the rider pulls a red handle on the highback. The system is designed to work even with snow or ice in the mechanism. The bindings aim to provide the secure feel and responsiveness of traditional strap bindings with the speed and convenience of a step-in.
Keywords: snowboard bindings, step-in bindings, direct-to-consumer, winter sports equipment, German engineering, snowboard gear, CLEW Freedom 1.0, boot compatible bindings, quick entry snowboard bindings, snowboard hardware, action sports equipment, outdoor gear, snow sports technology, innovative bindings, European snowboard brand, Munich startup, e-commerce sports gear