inDrive (previously known as inDriver), is an international ride-hailing service[2] with more than 360 million downloads operating in 982[3] cities in over 45 countries.[4][5][6] Headquartered in Mountain View, California. The company was officially launched in 2013.[7]
It is operating on the peer-to-peer pricing model.[8] In the inDrive app, all conditions of the trip are determined as a result of an agreement between passengers and drivers. Passengers make all payments for rides directly to drivers in cash or non-cash settlements.[9] inDrive takes 10 to 12.99% of the fare in commission.[10][11][12]
inDrive works both in small towns with a population of 10 thousand inhabitants, often with weak internet and without maps of the settlement, and in the largest cities with the highest level of competition.[citation needed]
History
inDriver was founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Arsen Tomsky[13] in Yakutsk, one of the coldest cities in the world. The service originated when a group of local students established a collective group of "independent drivers" (i.e. inDrivers) on social media in response to a sharp increase in taxi prices when outside temperatures dropped precipitously. Members of the group shared where they wanted to go and the prices they were willing to pay, allowing drivers to in turn contact these customers and negotiate prices. One year later, the group moved to the Sinet Company which created a peer-to-peer transportation-based system based on this concept.[14][15]
In 2013, inDriver was officially launched.[16][17]
inDrive subsequently launched other services, including intercity trips, delivery and fintech services.
International expansion
In December 2014, inDriver expanded internationally by launching in Astana, Kazakhstan.[19]
The company entered Latin America in April 2018,[20][21][22] when the service became available in Mexico and then later in Guatemala, Colombia, Peru, El Salvador, Chile, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia.[23][24][25][26][27][28] In Brazil, inDrive partnered with the finance platform Belvo to simplify the payment process.[29]
In November 2018, the service became available in Africa with the launch in Arusha, Tanzania.[30]
In November 2023, inDrive launched in the Philippine cities of Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo.[39] However, in January 2024, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) suspended inDrive operations in the country due to allegations of price bargaining, which violates the board's terms and conditions for accreditation as a transport company.[40] Operations resumed in June 2024 after inDrive agreed to comply with LTFRB regulations by aligning its fare system with the agency's prescribed pricing structure. The app also launched in Metro Manila.[41]
Corporate development
In February 2017 the service passed 100 million rides booked through the InDriver mobile app. There were more than 5 million registered users at the time.[42]
In April 2020, because of COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns,[43] the company suspended launches in new countries to focus on servicing its existing markets. Among other initiatives, inDriver launched its "Medical Worker On The Way" program to help healthcare workers around the world get to and from work.[44][45][46] Despite the lockdowns, however, inDriver managed to reach 50 million app-downloads in July 2020.[47]
In early 2021, inDriver achieved unicorn status after closing a $150m investment round with Insight Partners, General Catalyst, and Bond Capital, which valued the company at $1.23 billion.[48] It reached 1 billion trips in May 2021.[49]
By March 2022, inDriver had established regional operational hubs in the Americas, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the CIS to support its expanding business.[50]
In February 2024, inDrive launched inDrive Money, offering cash loans to drivers operating on its platform in Mexico, aiming to address the financial needs of drivers who are often excluded by traditional financial institutions.[51]
In October 2022, inDriver rebranded and became inDrive, transforming into a group of companies.[52]
In February 2023, inDrive raised $150m in an innovative hybrid instrument from General Catalyst for marketing and growth, expansion into new verticals.[2]
In 2023, inDrive assembled an in-house corporate venture capital arm focused on emerging markets – New Ventures.[53] Andries Smit was appointed Vice President of New Ventures.[54]
In May 2023, inDrive acquired the team and technology from Master Delivery, a last-mile delivery software platform, to strengthen its B2B unit.[55]
In March 2024, inDrive secured another $150m from General Catalyst to bolster its product and market expansion plans.[56]
App description
To request a ride, the user specifies the starting point and destination address, the price they are willing to pay, and any comments for the driver. Drivers can make a counter-offer to the price proposed by the passenger. Other options include adding additional destinations and indicating the need for a child seat, among others. The information about the car and driver confirmed for the service will appear on the passenger's phone screen. This includes the driver's rating and contact information, the car's approximate arrival time, and its real-time geolocation on the map.
According to Sensor Tower analytics, in 2024 inDrive remained the second most downloaded app in the ride-hailing category globally for the third consecutive year. inDrive also ranked fifth as the most downloaded travel app in 2024.[57]
Awards
inDriver was nominated for the GSMA Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO) 2019 in the 'Most Innovative Mobile App' category.[58]
The service was named Google Play's 2019 Best Everyday Essential app in Brazil.[59]
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