What is Via? Via Review

Mode Introduction

Via's technology connects passengers going in the same direction, allowing multiple passengers to share a luxury vehicle. Once someone requests a ride, the Via app directs the passenger to a nearby "virtual bus stop" within a short walking distance, making it easy for the passenger to get on and off.

Development History

In September 2017, Via received strategic financing led by Daimler, a well-known German automaker, in which Daimler's Mercedes-Benz will invest $50 million alone. The total amount of this round of financing has not yet been disclosed, but relevant sources indicate that the total amount of the transaction is $250 million. Via will use this financing to enter the European market.

ViaVan, a joint venture between Daimler's van division and U.S. startup Via, launched its on-demand ride-hailing service in London in April 2018. Initially, fares started at $3.00 (about $4.21) in Zones 1 and 2 in central London.

In October 2019, Hyundai partnered with Pony.ai and Via to launch BotRide, a shared, on-demand public transportation service using autonomous vehicles.

In March 2020, Via received a Series E financing led by EXOR, with a valuation of US$2.25 billion. After this round of financing, the company's valuation reached US$2.25 billion. Via's latest round of financing was led by Exor, an investment company controlled by the Italian Agnelli family, and acquired 9% of its shares; new investors Shell, Macquarie Capital, Mori Building and existing investors Israeli venture capital funds Pitango, 83North, Hearst Ventures, Ervington Investments, Planven Ventures, Broadscale Group and RiverPark Ventures participated in the investment. Noam Ohana, head of Exor's early investment department Exor Seeds, will join Via's board of directors.

In October 2020, Via, a New York-based car-sharing service platform, acquired Fleetonomy, a fleet management software service provider. Through this acquisition, Via expanded its business lines from transportation services to logistics and express delivery services.

References