# Is it a terrible idea to invest in this micromobility (hybrid electric tricycle) equity fundraiser? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-terrible-idea-to-invest-in-this-micromobility-hybrid-electric-tricycle-equity-fundraiser/1025328 "2025-12-02T15:26:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 15
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-terrible-idea-to-invest-in-this-micromobility-hybrid-electric-tricycle-equity-fundraiser/1025328/15 "2025-12-03T04:43:44Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > and I’m considering investing $1000, more to support the idea than out of any real expectation of a return. Just quoting this snip from the OP - I think it’s clear @Reply is looking at this as as a gesture of support than a practical profit-making investment. Which is good, because I agree the majority is that it has little to no chance of releasing an actual product, or even finding a market if they succeed. It reminds me a bit of a coworker back around 2014 who LOVED the idea of the Elio. While looking back today on what they’ve done over the last decade, I consider it _at best_ an overoptimistic dream that later involved into a vaporware scam. But at the beginning at least, I think they had a vaguely realistic, and even admirable goal, just one that overlooked so many engineering and regulatory requirements with an unthinking handwave of “it’ll totally work out!” Though all that had worked out, and the promised original price and fuel efficiency had panned out, I’d totally have bought one. So, if this is where Reply wants to throw a grand towards a dream, I don’t object, as long as it’s not money they can comfortable afford to loose. Still, I’d say that there are a lot more directly beneficial or helpful investments that could stand some additional funding with similar or less risk. It’s your money though! [Some](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elio-motors-can-they-do-it/678387) of our [multiple](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-thoughts-about-the-elio/720870) threads on [Elio](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anybody-know-anything-about-elio-motors-new-3-wheeled-car/728223) for any who care. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-a-terrible-idea-to-invest-in-this-micromobility-hybrid-electric-tricycle-equity-fundraiser/1025328)._