From Student Motorcycle Adventure to Battery Technology Empire
Eindhoven, Saturday, 28 February 2026.
A former TU/e student who traveled 23,000 kilometers around the world on an electric motorcycle has transformed his university experience into a thriving business empire. Bas Verkaik’s journey from frustrated undergraduate to successful entrepreneur showcases how hands-on learning can drive real innovation, culminating in King Willem-Alexander opening his company’s new headquarters in January 2026.
The Seeds of Innovation: From Lecture Halls to World Adventure
In 2012, Bas Verkaik found himself increasingly frustrated with the traditional academic approach at Eindhoven University of Technology, feeling that earning his bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Energy Technology was too focused on lectures and exams [1]. This dissatisfaction led him to seek more challenging experiences beyond the classroom walls. Verkaik joined student team STORM, which aimed to build an electric touring motorcycle to demonstrate sustainable mobility [1]. The project would prove to be far more than an academic exercise—it became a transformative journey that took the team 23,000 kilometers around the world on their electric motorcycle [1].
Challenge-Based Learning Takes Root
The contrast between real-world problem-solving and traditional education became starkly apparent upon Verkaik’s return. “Going back to the lecture benches after that trip around the world was horrible, such an extreme contrast,” Verkaik reflected [1]. This experience catalyzed his advocacy for Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), an educational approach where students from various disciplines collaborate with stakeholders from business, government, or science to solve real-world challenges [1]. Working alongside Tom Selten, Verkaik became a driving force at the TU/e innovation Space, promoting student team involvement in CBL [1]. “The essence of CBL is that you are constantly solving big challenges together, without knowing what else is coming,” Verkaik explained [1].
From Student Project to Commercial Success
The STORM experience laid the foundation for Verkaik’s entrepreneurial journey. Together with his STORM teammates Jeroen Bleker and Bram van Diggelen, he founded SPIKE Mobility, which later evolved into ELEO Technologies [1]. The company specializes in designing and building modular battery systems for industrial, construction, and agricultural machinery, operating from the Automotive Campus in Helmond [1]. ELEO focuses on electrifying off-highway machines with custom battery packs and has established partnerships with companies including Yanmar, a Japanese firm [1]. The company’s success reached a significant milestone when King Willem-Alexander opened ELEO Technologies’ new building in January 2026 [1].
Scaling Ambitions and Educational Legacy
ELEO Technologies has set ambitious expansion plans, aiming to become a leading battery provider for off-highway machines with factories planned across America, Asia, Europe, and the Netherlands by 2030 [1]. Verkaik’s influence extends beyond commercial success into educational reform. In September 2023, TU/e launched Bachelor College 2.0 with Challenge-Based Learning as an important component [1]. CBL has become part of Eindhoven University of Technology’s Strategy 2030 under the theme of Talent [1], with a new CBL Teaching Toolkit released as of February 26, 2026 [1]. Reflecting on his journey, Verkaik emphasizes the importance of adaptability: “You need to be open-minded to be able to tackle challenges and solve problems” [1]. The entrepreneur’s philosophy extends to continuous challenge-seeking: “It is a utopia to think that in five years everything will be flawless and all I will be doing is twiddling my thumbs in my chair. Challenges will always keep coming” [1].