The European car leasing industry is slow, complex, and costly, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses seeking flexible, hassle-free options. That’s the gap LIZY set out to fill. Founded in Brussels in 2019 by Sam Heymans and Vincent Castus, the startup is reimagining car leasing as a simple, fully digital, and sustainable service.
Last week, LIZY announced a €75 million funding round, combining debt and equity, led by investors including D’Ieteren, Alychlo (Marc Coucke’s investment vehicle), and NewAlpha Asset Management. The fresh capital will fuel the company’s expansion beyond Belgium and France, scaling its circular electric vehicle (EV) leasing model across Europe.
LIZY’s approach is straightforward yet disruptive: make leasing as easy as ordering consumer electronics online. By leveraging strong IT expertise instead of traditional leasing systems, the company has eliminated many of the long waits and administrative headaches typically associated with leasing a car.
Sam Heymans, CEO of LIZY, says, “Electrification is central to our approach. Electric vehicles have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance. Additionally, the environmental benefits increase as the vehicles are used for longer periods.”
Their focus on used electric vehicles is what really sets LIZY apart. These vehicles can be leased multiple times, cutting costs and reducing environmental impact. Leases on used EVs from LIZY can be up to 20% cheaper than new car leases, making sustainable mobility more accessible for businesses that are conscious of both budget and carbon footprints.
Behind its success lies a smooth, fully digital platform that enables customers to configure, order, and manage leases quickly. That means delivery times shrink to around three weeks, compared to the up to six months typically required with traditional providers.
Marc Coucke, founder of Alychlo, adds, “The company is now seeing its efforts rewarded with strong growth and can ride the wave of electrification. All this is the result of its ambitious vision and determination. For Alychlo, investing in LIZY is perfectly in line with our objectives: it is Belgian, sustainable, ambitious and innovative.”
The result is rapid growth and customer satisfaction, with LIZY currently employing about 60 people and operating in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. Plans for Germany, Spain, and Italy are on the horizon.
