A year ago, Bikeworks had the incredible honour of welcoming Professor Muhammad Yunus – the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and widely regarded father of social enterprise – to our organisation. For our Co-Founders, Jim and Zoe, this moment was deeply meaningful, as Yunus’ pioneering work has been a profound inspiration in shaping their journey as social entrepreneurs.

Yunus has redefined the role of business in society.

Through Grameen Bank, he revolutionised micro-finance, enabling people who were previously excluded from financial systems to build businesses, create livelihoods, and escape poverty. But his impact extends far beyond finance. His innovative approach has transformed social enterprises across sectors like health, education, and even sport, demonstrating that business can be a powerful force for social change.

In 2021, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) honoured Yunus with the Olympic Laurel during the Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony, recognising his extraordinary achievements in education, culture, development, and peace through sport. Yunus’ collaboration with the IOC aims to integrate social business principles into the Olympic Games, ensuring that these global events leave a lasting, positive legacy for local communities.

This resonates deeply with us at Bikeworks – we share Yunus’s belief in using business to address inequality. Nearly 19 years ago, Bikeworks’ original vision, Olympic Bikes, was born from the idea that the London 2012 Olympics should create a lasting legacy – not just for elite sport, but for accessibility, healthy communities, and inclusive travel. Inspired by Yunnus, our Co-Founders saw firsthand how social enterprises could drive change, create jobs, and promote wellbeing – using the growth of the social enterprise movement and the cycle as a tool for good.