Who we are
OTTER is a Swiss watercraft company creating electric-assisted waterbikes.
Our products combine active cycling with lots of social comfort on the water.
Developed in Switzerland, OTTER watercrafts are built for an outstanding riding experience, ease of use and a long service life.
Why OTTER exists
The idea for OTTER emerged from a simple observation:
While cycling is one of the most natural and enjoyable ways to move, on water it quickly becomes strenuous and limiting.
OTTER was created to experience a natural, effortless cycling experience on water.
Starting from a blank sheet, we developped a drivetrain that lets people pedal smoothly and intuitively while the system handles everything else.
The result is a watercraft that feels simple to ride, yet is technically sophisticated beneath the surface.
The OTTER journey
2023 - Drivetrain concept development
A one-seater test rig validated that a generator-based, software-controlled drivetrain could deliver a smooth and natural cycling experience on water.
Early 2024 - Shift to shared experiences
Feedback drove a fundamental shift: OTTER evolved into a stable side-by-side platform designed for longer, shared rides.
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Aug '24 - First customer delivery
The first pre-series OTTER entered daily operation with a paying customer - a boat rental on Lake Zurich.
Jan '25 - OTTERs international debut
OTTER was presented internationally for the first time at boot Düsseldorf, marking its public debut to a global marine audience.
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Jun '25 - Pre-ordered batch 1 delivered
OTTER delivered the first production batch of Explorer units to customers, marking the transition from pre-series and pre-orders to regular deliveries.
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Oct '25 - US launch with Nautical Ventures
OTTER launched in the United States through a partnership with Nautical Ventures, establishing a presence in a key growth market.
The founding team
OTTER is built by a small, focused team:
The company is led by Gian Zimmermann (Founder & CEO) together with Tjas Cvek (Co-Founder & CTO), working closely with partners to bring OTTER to the world.
