Introducing Europe’s mobility & logistics unicorns

In Europe, there are currently 15 startups in mobility and logistics which have reached unicorn status, surpassing more than €1bn in company valuation. In this article, we will take a closer look exploring their unique approach and the impact they are having on the industry.

The world of mobility has been rapidly evolving over the past few years, with new technologies and business models transforming the way we move people and goods.

At Rethink Ventures we are excited about the rising number of break-through companies and look forward to partner of with the next generation of mobility & logistics startups in Europe in the coming years.

 

Northvolt – Lithium-ion batteries manufacturer

Northvolt is a battery manufacturing company that aims to produce the world’s greenest lithium-ion batteries. The company plans to use renewable energy sources in the production process and has a goal of making the European Union self-sufficient in battery production.

Founding year

2016

Founders

Peter Carlsson, Paolo Cerruti

HQ

Stockholm, 🇸🇪

Total Funding

7,1B USD

Website

northvolt.com

 

VOI – Micromobility Operator

Voi is a micro-mobility company that provides electric scooter rentals in cities across Europe. Its scooters can be unlocked with a smartphone app and are designed to offer a sustainable and convenient mode of transportation for short distances.

 

Founding year

2018

Founders

Fredrik Hjelm, Adam Jafer, Douglas Stark, Filip Lindvall

HQ

Stockholm, 🇸🇪

Total Funding

515,6M USD

Website

voi.com

 

 

Einride – Autonomous electric trucks

Einride is a transportation technology company that develops autonomous electric trucks. Its vehicles are designed to reduce emissions and increase efficiency in the transportation industry.

Founding year

2016

Founders

Filip Lilja, Linnéa Kornehed, Robert Falck

HQ

Stockholm, 🇸🇪

Total Funding

652,3M USD

Website

einride.tech

 

Transporeon – Transport mngt. platform 

Transporeon is a cloud-based logistics platform that connects shippers and carriers to streamline the transportation process. Its platform offers real-time tracking, automated order management, and freight rate benchmarking.

Founding year

2000

Founders

Leander Kling, Marc-Oliver Simon, Peter Forster

HQ

Ulm, 🇩🇪

Total Funding

Acquired for 1,88B EUR in 2022

Website

transporeon.com

 

BOLT – Ride-hailing platform

Bolt is a ride-hailing platform that operates in more than 40 countries across Europe and Africa. Its platform also includes e-scooters and electric bikes, and the company aims to offer sustainable transportation options.

Founding year

2013

Founders

Markus Villig

HQ

Tallinn, 🇪🇪

Total Funding

2B USD

Website

bolt.eu

 

Flix – Mobility provider 

Flix is mobility provider operating long-distance bus service and railway service in Europe and the United States. As a unique combination of a tech start-up, an e-commerce company, and a classic transport operator, Flix we has become the market leader in many different regions.

Founding year

2011

Founders

Andre Schwammlein, Daniel Krauss, Jochen Engert

HQ

Munich, 🇩🇪

Total Funding

1,2B USD

Website

flixbus.com

 

 

Sennder – Digital freight-forwarder

Sennder is a digital freight-forwarding company that connects shippers and carriers. Its platform uses machine learning algorithms to optimize routes and reduce empty mileage, with the goal of making the freight industry more efficient and sustainable.

Founding year

2015

Founders

David Nothacker, Christian Nothacker, Julius Koehler, Nicolas Stephan

HQ

Berlin, 🇩🇪

Total Funding

340M USD

Website

sennder.com

 

Forto – Digital freight-forwarder

Forto is a digital freight forwarder that provides end-to-end logistics services for businesses. Its platform offers real-time tracking, automated customs clearance, and online booking, with the goal of making international shipping more transparent and efficient.

Founding year

2016

Founders

Michael Wax, Erik Muttersbach

HQ

Berlin, 🇩🇪

Total Funding

593,4M USD

Website

forto.com

 

Auto1 – Automotive retail platform

Auto1 is a digital used-car marketplace that connects dealers and customers across Europe. Its platform offers a wide selection of cars and provides financing and warranty options, with the goal of making the car-buying process more transparent and convenient.

Founding year

2012

Founders

Christian Bertermann, Hakan Koç

HQ

Berlin, 🇩🇪

Total Funding

1,4B USD

Website

auto1-group.com

 

Tier – Micro-mobility Operator

Tier is a micro-mobility company that provides electric scooter and bike rentals in cities across Europe. Its vehicles are designed to offer a sustainable and convenient mode of transportation for short distances.

Founding year

2018

Founders

Lawrence Leuschner, Matthias Laug, Julian Blessin

HQ

Berlin, 🇩🇪

Total Funding

646,9M USD

Website

tier.app

 

Volocopter – eVTOL aircraft

Volocopter is a transportation technology company that develops electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Its vehicles are designed for urban air mobility and could offer a new mode of transportation for the future.

Founding year

2011

Founders

Alexander Zosel, Stephan Wolf

HQ

Bruchsal, 🇩🇪

Total Funding

780,6M USD

Website

volocopter.com

 

Exotec – Intralogistic robotics

Exotec is a robotics company that develops autonomous robots for warehouse and logistics operations. Its robots can navigate through narrow spaces and lift heavy objects, improving the efficiency and accuracy of order fulfillment.

Founding year

2015

Founders

Romain Moulin, Renaud Heitz

HQ

Lille, 🇫🇷

Total Funding

449,6M USD

Website

exotec.com

 

BlaBlaCar – Ride-sharing platform

BlaBlaCar is a ride-sharing platform that connects drivers with passengers traveling between cities. Its platform offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional transportation options.

Founding year

2006

Founders

Nicolas Brusson, Frederic Mazzella

HQ

Paris, 🇫🇷

Total Funding

578,5M USD

Website

blablacar.com

 

Cabify – Ride-hailing platform

Cabify is a ride-hailing platform that operates in Latin America, Spain, and Portugal. Its platform offers on-demand rides and a range of other transportation services, with the goal of providing safe and reliable mobility options.

Founding year

2001

Founders

Juan de Antonio

HQ

Madrid, 🇪🇸

Total Funding

519M USD

Website

cabify.com

 

Wayve – Autonomous driving

Wayve is an artificial intelligence (AI) startup that is developing autonomous driving technology. Its approach is focused on using deep learning algorithms to create a more flexible and adaptable self-driving system. The company is working to create a safer, more efficient and sustainable transportation system for the future.

Founding year

2017

Founders

Amar Shah, Alex Kendall

HQ

Cambridge, 🇬🇧

Total Funding

257,2M USD

Website

wayve.ai