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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |