Putting Purpose into Practice: Big Industries Builds Bikes for Africa

At Big Industries, we believe that corporate success and social impact go hand-in-hand. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) isn’t just about making pledges — it’s about putting purpose into practice, empowering people, and strengthening communities both near and far.

This past quarter, as part of our ongoing Big Industries Academy, we did just that — bringing teams together for an experience that combined team-building, sustainability, and meaningful contribution to global development.

Partnering for Good: Tools To Work

For this session of the Big Industries Academy, we partnered with Tools To Work, a Dutch non-profit dedicated to refurbishing and redistributing tools (including bikes) to support vocational education and entrepreneurship in Africa. Their sustainable model empowers individuals through skills, mobility, and independence — values that closely align with ours.

Rolling Up Our Sleeves: Building Bikes for Africa

Rather than a typical off-site activity, we chose something with heart: a Build-a-Bike for Africa challenge. This team-building event invited colleagues to collaborate, communicate, and innovate — but with a twist: all the bikes built would directly contribute to Tools To Work’s efforts to support communities in Africa.

Here’s how it worked:

• Teams were formed, bringing together diverse talents and perspectives.

• Each team started with a bare bike frame and, through strategy, negotiation, and teamwork, worked to assemble fully functional bicycles.

• Along the way, fun puzzles and brain-teasers unlocked extra accessories and parts.

• At the end, teams tested their creations, shared stories of collaboration, and celebrated not just competition — but impact.

The result? A full set of bikes that will be donated via Tools To Work and help amplify access to education, independence, and mobility for individuals and communities in need.

Why This Matters

This activity was more than a CSR event — it reflected our values in action:

• Purposeful engagement: Employees experienced firsthand how teamwork can drive social impact.

• Cross-functional collaboration: Challenges required strategy, communication, and collective problem-solving.

• Global citizenship: Local teams connected with a global cause.

• Sustainability in action: Supporting reuse and refurbishment aligns with environmental stewardship.

Looking Ahead

At Big Industries, we don’t just build tech and solutions — we build culture, community, and meaningful connections. Our quarterly Big Industries Academy continues to evolve, creating spaces where learning, teamwork, and positive impact come together.

We’re proud of what our teams achieved — and even more excited about the difference these bikes will make. Together, we’re building not just bicycles — but brighter futures.