TELO Trucks Secures $20M Series A Funding to Transform Urban Mobility with Mini Electric Pickup

TELO Trucks Secures $20M to Revolutionize Urban Pickup Trucks

TELO Trucks, a pioneering automotive company, has announced a significant milestone by securing $20 million in Series A funding, aimed at redefining urban transportation through its innovative electric mini truck. On September 23, 2025, the company revealed its oversubscribed funding round, which showcases the confidence of prominent investors, including legendary designer Yves Behar and Marc Tarpenning, co-founder of Tesla.

Meeting Urban Needs with Style

The TELO MT1 electric mini truck is engineered to cater to the demands of urban settings, combining compact size with ample functionality. Measuring just 152 inches in length—about the same as a two-door MINI Cooper—this mini truck offers features typical of larger work trucks. The MT1 accommodates five adults comfortably and offers a versatile bed that can extend from 5 to 8 feet, allowing it to transport plywood and other bulky items with ease.

Yves Behar emphasized, "I have great confidence in the TELO team as we build a future-proof vision for mobility. The MT1 proves that innovation can deliver smarter design, greater practicality, and uncompromised capability."

Impressive Investor Backing

The investment in TELO Trucks comes from a range of reputable sources, affirming the startup’s potential in the competitive automotive landscape. Other contributors to this funding round include TO VC, E12 Ventures, and the efforts of tech visionary Marc Benioff. The company has previously raised $6 million in a strategic Seed round and secured $2 million in Pre-Seed funding, indicating a robust trajectory of growth and investor confidence.

Joshua Phitoussi, Managing Partner at TO VC, added, "Disciplined scale-up is the name of the game in auto manufacturing. TELO has a liquid and well-understood bill-of-materials, and CAPEX-light manufacturing model that leans on blue-chip partners."

Capital Efficiency and Market Demand

One of the standout attributes of TELO Trucks is its commitment to capital efficiency. Having raised just $8 million over three years, TELO has successfully launched two pre-production prototypes while many competitors have exceeded $50 million to achieve similar milestones. The combination of a well-thought-out manufacturing strategy and a solid market demand has resulted in over 12,000 pre-orders for the MT1, equating to over $600 million in potential revenue.

This consumer response highlights a shift in preference towards more practical, right-sized vehicles, directly challenging the trend of oversized trucks that dominate the market today. As revealed, the TELO MT1 offers the capability to tow up to 6,600 pounds, ensuring it meets the practical needs of urban drivers.

Exciting Future Ahead

With the fresh influx of funds, TELO Trucks is poised to reach production readiness and fulfill necessary federal regulations to bring the MT1 to the roads. The expectation of having the truck in production signifies a promising future for the company within the burgeoning electric vehicle sector. “TELO is poised to make the next great transportation company,” remarked Tarpenning, affirming the strategic direction of this innovative startup.

For those interested in pre-ordering their own TELO Truck, which can be reserved for just $152—the length in inches of the vehicle—details are available on their official website, www.telotrucks.com.

Conclusion

TELO Trucks is carving a niche in urban mobility, offering a miniature truck that combines efficiency, utility, and innovative design. With their commitment to meeting consumer needs and strong backing from industry leaders, TELO Trucks is sure to make waves in the electric vehicle market.

For more information and the latest updates, follow TELO Trucks on LinkedIn and YouTube, and stay tuned as they prepare to take the next leap in defining a new era of urban transportation.