India, with its burgeoning urban population and rapidly expanding infrastructure, is a fertile ground for innovation in mobility. Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is revolutionizing the way people move by integrating various forms of transport services into a single accessible on-demand service. This comprehensive approach to mobility promises to reduce congestion, enhance convenience, and promote sustainability. Here, we explore the top 10 MaaS startups in India that are pioneering this transformation.
In a country where traffic congestion and pollution are major challenges, these startups are pioneering efforts to provide smarter, greener, and more convenient alternatives to traditional modes of transport. From ride-hailing and bike-sharing to carpooling and shuttle services, MaaS startups in India are catering to the diverse needs of urban commuters.
1. Ola Cabs:
Founded in 2010 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola Cabs is one of India’s largest ride-hailing companies. It operates a network of services including cabs, auto-rickshaws, and bikes across more than 250 cities in India.
Ola Cabs
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Bhavish Aggarwal, Ankit Bhati |
| Key Services | Ride-hailing (cabs, auto-rickshaws, bike taxis) |
| Unique Features | Ola Play (in-cab entertainment), Ola Electric |
| Achievements | Over 1.5 million drivers, significant investments in EV infrastructure |
| Cities Operated | 250+ |
| Location | Bangalore |
| Website | Ola Cabs |
Summary: Founded in 2010 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola Cabs is a leading ride-hailing service in India, operating in over 250 cities.
Description: Ola offers a diverse range of services including cabs, auto-rickshaws, and bike taxis. Known for its in-cab entertainment system, Ola Play, and its focus on electric vehicles through Ola Electric, the company has over 1.5 million drivers on its platform. Ola’s significant investments in EV infrastructure underline its commitment to sustainable transportation.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-biotech-startups-in-india/
2. Rapido:
Rapido, launched in 2015 by Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR, is a bike taxi aggregator that aims to provide a quick, affordable, and convenient mode of transport for short-distance travel.
Rapido
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, Rishikesh SR |
| Key Services | Bike taxis, auto-rickshaws |
| Unique Features | Comprehensive safety protocols |
| Achievements | Operates in 100+ cities, millions of rides annually |
| Cities Operated | 100+ |
| Location | Bangalore |
| Website | Rapido |
Summary: Rapido, launched in 2015, is India’s largest bike taxi service, operating in over 100 cities.
Description: Co-founded by Aravind Sanka, Pavan Guntupalli, and Rishikesh SR, Rapido provides quick, affordable, and convenient bike taxi services for short-distance travel. Recently, it has expanded into auto-rickshaws and implemented comprehensive safety measures for riders and passengers.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-renewable-energy-startups-in-india/
3. Bounce:
Bounce, founded by Vivekananda Hallekere, Anil G, and Varun Agni in 2014, offers dockless scooter sharing services. Users can pick up a scooter from any location and drop it off at their destination.
Bounce
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Vivekananda Hallekere, Anil G, Varun Agni |
| Key Services | Dockless scooter sharing |
| Unique Features | Flexible pick-up/drop-off, electric scooters, subscription plans |
| Achievements | 2 million+ rides, significant presence in Bangalore |
| Cities Operated | Major cities including Bangalore |
| Location | Bangalore |
| Website | Bounce |
Summary: Bounce, founded in 2014, offers dockless scooter sharing services, primarily in Bangalore.
Description: Founders Vivekananda Hallekere, Anil G, and Varun Agni have developed a system where users can pick up and drop off scooters at any location. Bounce is transitioning to an electric fleet and offers subscription plans for regular users.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-watertech-startups-in-india/
4. Yulu:
Yulu, co-founded by Amit Gupta, RK Misra, and Naveen Dachuri in 2017, focuses on providing micro-mobility solutions through electric bikes and scooters. Hemant Gupta, focuses on micro-mobility solutions through its fleet of electric bikes and bicycles. Yulu aims to address short-distance commuting needs while reducing the carbon footprint. The bikes are dockless and can be rented via a mobile app. Yulu operates in several major cities and is popular for last-mile connectivity.
Yulu
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Amit Gupta, RK Misra, Naveen Dachuri |
| Key Services | Electric bike sharing |
| Unique Features | Yulu Miracle, smart docking stations, integration with public transport |
| Achievements | Collaboration with Bangalore Metro, extensive network in major cities |
| Cities Operated | Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai |
| Location | Bangalore |
| Website | Yulu |
Summary: Yulu, founded in 2017, provides electric bike sharing services in major cities like Bangalore, Pune, and Mumbai.
Description: Co-founders Amit Gupta, RK Misra, and Naveen Dachuri focus on micro-mobility solutions. Yulu Miracle, their electric bike, is designed for urban commutes. They also offer smart docking stations and integration with public transport.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-waste-management-startups-in-india/
5. Vogo:
Vogo, established by Anand Ayyadurai, Padmanabhan Balakrishnan, and Sanchit Mittal in 2016, is a scooter rental service that provides self-ride two-wheelers on a pay-per-use basis. The company provides self-driving scooters for intra-city travel, enabling users to rent and drop off scooters at various docking stations. Vogo aims to provide affordable, convenient, and reliable transportation solutions. They operate in multiple cities and focus on reducing traffic congestion through shared mobility.
Vogo
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | Anand Ayyadurai, Padmanabhan Balakrishnan, Sanchit Mittal |
| Key Services | Scooter rentals |
| Unique Features | Docked scooter rentals, long-term rentals, smart lock system |
| Achievements | 2 million+ rides, partnership with Ola |
| Cities Operated | Major cities across India |
| Location | Bangalore |
| Website | Vogo |
Summary: Vogo, established in 2016, offers scooter rental services across major Indian cities.
Description: Founders Anand Ayyadurai, Padmanabhan Balakrishnan, and Sanchit Mittal provide self-ride two-wheelers on a pay-per-use basis. Vogo features docked scooter rentals with a smart lock system and offers long-term rental options for daily commuters.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-greentech-startups-in-india/
6. Shuttl:
Shuttl, founded in 2015 by Amit Singh and Deepanshu Malviya, offers app-based office shuttle services aimed at providing comfortable and reliable daily commutes for professionals. Shuttl operates in multiple cities and focuses on solving the problem of daily commute for professionals by offering scheduled, shared rides in air-conditioned buses.
Shuttl
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Amit Singh, Deepanshu Malviya |
| Key Services | Office shuttle services |
| Unique Features | Fixed routes, comfortable seating, subscription plans |
| Achievements | 100,000+ rides daily, extensive network in Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Kolkata |
| Cities Operated | Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Kolkata |
| Location | Gurgaon |
| Website | Shuttl |
Summary: Shuttl, founded in 2015, provides app-based office shuttle services, operating in Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, and Kolkata.
Description: Founders Amit Singh and Deepanshu Malviya designed Shuttl to offer comfortable and reliable daily commutes for professionals. Shuttl features air-conditioned buses with guaranteed seating and subscription plans for regular commuters.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-watertech-startups-in-india/
7. Quick Ride:
Quick Ride
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | KNM Rao, Srinath Karumuri |
| Key Services | Carpooling |
| Unique Features | Safe and reliable carpooling, corporate tie-ups, eco-friendly initiative |
| Achievements | 4 million+ registered users, collaborations with major corporates |
| Cities Operated | Major cities across India |
| Location | Bangalore |
| Website | Quick Ride |
Summary: Quick Ride, founded in 2014, is a carpooling platform with over 4 million registered users.
Description: Founders KNM Rao and Srinath Karumuri offer a platform that connects drivers and passengers traveling on the same route, promoting ride-sharing. Quick Ride collaborates with major corporations for employee transportation and focuses on reducing the carbon footprint.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-biotech-startups-in-india/
8. Drivezy:
Drivezy, founded in 2015 by Ashwarya Singh, Abhishek Mahajan, and Amit Sahu, is a self-drive car and bike rental platform. The company aims to make vehicle ownership redundant by providing affordable, accessible, and convenient rental services. Users can rent cars and bikes on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis. Drivezy operates in several Indian cities and offers a wide range of vehicles, including electric scooters.
Drivezy
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Ashwarya Singh, Abhishek Mahajan, Amit Sahu |
| Headquarters | Bangaluru, India |
| Key Services | Car rentals, Bike rentals |
| Markets | India |
| App Downloads | 1 million+ |
| Revenue | $20 million (FY 2020) |
| Employees | 400+ |
| Website | drivezy.com |
| Notable Investors | Yamaha, IT-Farm, Axan Ventures |
Summary:
Drivezy, founded in 2015, is India’s largest vehicle-sharing platform, offering a wide range of self-drive car and bike rental services.
Description:
Drivezy, formerly known as JustRide, was founded by Ashwarya Pratap Singh, Hemant Kumar Sah, Vasant Verma, Abhishek Mahajan, and Amit Sahu. The platform allows users to rent vehicles on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis, providing flexibility and convenience.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-renewable-energy-startups-in-india/
9. Whizzy:
Whizzy, founded in 2017 by Krishnakumar Suresh, focuses on urban last-mile delivery services using electric vehicles. The company provides a platform for on-demand delivery of various items, including food, groceries, and packages. Whizzy aims to provide fast, eco-friendly, and reliable delivery solutions in urban areas, leveraging electric bikes to reduce the environmental impact.
Whizzy
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founders | Krishnakumar Suresh |
| Headquarters | Hyderabad, India |
| Key Services | Last-mile delivery |
| Markets | India |
| App Downloads | 100,000+ |
| Revenue | $2 million (FY 2020) |
| Employees | 100+ |
| Website | whizzy.in |
| Notable Investors | N/A |
Summary:
Whizzy is a futuristic urban mobility solution aimed at providing convenient, on-demand electric scooter rental services for short-distance travel.
Description:
Whizzy is revolutionizing urban transportation with its innovative electric scooter rental platform. Founded in [year], Whizzy aims to offer eco-friendly, convenient, and affordable mobility solutions for urban commuters.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-waste-management-startups-in-india/
10. BluSmart:
BluSmart, founded in 2019 by Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh Jaggi, is India’s first all-electric ride-hailing platform. The company aims to provide a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional ride-hailing services by using electric vehicles (EVs). BluSmart focuses on reducing urban pollution and offering reliable, zero-emission transportation. The platform also ensures driver-partner welfare with fixed salaries and benefits, promoting a fair and eco-friendly mobility solution.
BluSmart
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | Anmol Singh Jaggi, Puneet Singh Jaggi |
| Headquarters | Gurgaon, India |
| Key Services | Electric ride-hailing |
| Markets | India |
| App Downloads | 500,000+ |
| Revenue | $3 million (FY 2020) |
| Employees | 200+ |
| Website | blu-smart.com |
| Notable Investors | BP Ventures, Mayfield Fund, 9Unicorns Accelerator Fund |
Summary:
BluSmart is India’s leading all-electric ride-hailing platform, offering zero-emission transportation solutions for urban commuters.
Description:
BluSmart, established in 2019, is revolutionizing urban mobility with its fleet of electric vehicles (EVs) and a commitment to sustainable transportation. Co-founded by Anmol Singh Jaggi and Puneet Singh, BluSmart aims to provide eco-friendly and affordable ride-hailing services.
Also Read: https://economicedge.in/top-10-greentech-startups-in-india/
FAQs on Mobility as a Service (MaaS) Startups in India
1. What is Mobility as a Service (MaaS)?
- Answer: Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is a digital platform that integrates various forms of transportation services into a single accessible interface, allowing users to plan, book, and pay for different types of mobility services, including public transit, ride-hailing, bike-sharing, and car rentals, all in one place.
2. How do MaaS startups help reduce traffic congestion?
- Answer: MaaS startups promote shared mobility solutions such as ride-hailing, carpooling, and bike-sharing, which reduce the number of vehicles on the road. By optimizing transportation resources and encouraging the use of public and shared transit options, these startups help alleviate traffic congestion.
3. What are the environmental benefits of using MaaS solutions?
- Answer: MaaS solutions often include electric vehicles, bike-sharing, and carpooling, which contribute to lower carbon emissions and reduced air pollution. By promoting more efficient use of transportation resources and reducing reliance on private car ownership, MaaS solutions support a cleaner and greener urban environment.
4. Are MaaS services affordable?
- Answer: Yes, MaaS services are generally designed to be cost-effective. By offering a range of options such as carpooling, bike-sharing, and public transit integration, MaaS platforms can provide more affordable transportation choices compared to owning and maintaining a personal vehicle.
5. How do I use a MaaS platform?
- Answer: To use a MaaS platform, download the app from the respective startup, create an account, and then you can plan your journey. The platform will provide various transportation options, allowing you to book and pay for your chosen service through the app.
6. Which cities in India have MaaS services available?
- Answer: MaaS services are available in most major Indian cities, including Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune. Each startup has its own operational regions, which you can check on their respective websites or apps.
7. Is it safe to use MaaS services?
- Answer: Yes, MaaS services prioritize safety through various measures such as verified drivers, real-time tracking, customer support, and safety features within their apps. Additionally, bike and scooter sharing services often include safety gear recommendations.
8. Can I use MaaS platforms for long-distance travel?
- Answer: MaaS platforms are primarily designed for urban and short-distance travel. While some services might offer inter-city options, the focus is mainly on providing efficient, convenient, and affordable transportation within cities.
9. What types of vehicles are available on MaaS platforms?
- Answer: MaaS platforms offer a variety of vehicles including cars, bikes, scooters, auto-rickshaws, and sometimes even electric vehicles. The availability of specific types of vehicles depends on the particular startup and the city of operation.
10. How do MaaS startups integrate with public transportation?
- Answer: Many MaaS platforms integrate with public transportation systems by offering information on public transit schedules, routes, and ticketing. Users can plan multi-modal journeys that combine public transit with other forms of shared mobility, providing a seamless travel experience.
Conclusion
The rise of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) startups in India marks a significant shift in the country’s urban transportation landscape. These innovative companies are addressing some of the most pressing challenges in urban mobility, including traffic congestion, pollution, and the need for more efficient and accessible transportation options. By offering a range of services from ride-hailing and bike-sharing to car rentals and shuttle services, MaaS startups are making it easier and more affordable for people to navigate city life.
The top 10 MaaS startups highlighted in this list are leading the charge in creating smarter, greener, and more connected urban environments. Their innovative solutions not only enhance the convenience of daily commuting but also contribute to a more sustainable future by reducing the reliance on private vehicles and promoting shared mobility. As these startups continue to grow and expand, they are set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of urban transportation in India.
Embracing MaaS can transform how cities function, making them more livable and environmentally friendly. By integrating various forms of transportation into a single platform, these startups provide a cohesive and user-friendly experience that can significantly improve the quality of urban life. As more people adopt these services, the collective impact on reducing traffic congestion and emissions will be substantial, paving the way for a cleaner and more efficient urban mobility ecosystem.
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https://economicedge.in/top-10-biotech-startups-in-india/
https://economicedge.in/top-10-renewable-energy-startups-in-india/
https://economicedge.in/top-10-watertech-startups-in-india/
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