Money Buzz! Europa

Tag: bird

  • Bolt to invest over 100 million euros in the European e-scooters market

    Bolt to invest over 100 million euros in the European e-scooters market

    Bolt wants to become the largest micromobility operator in Europe within the next 12 months and will bring e-scooters to more than 100 cities across the continent in 2021.

    This year, the platform expanded its scooter operations to 45 cities in over 15 countries, including Sweden, Norway, and Portugal.

    In a recent survey of 1,800 UK Bolt riders, 50.38% of users said they’d choose a Bolt Scooter over a private-hire vehicle (PHV) for journeys under 5 km.

    Fierce competition on European e-scooter market

    Uber already announced that wants to bring 130,000 electric scooters to more than 100 European cities next year, expanding aggressively across the continent.

    This week, Berlin-based electric scooter start-up Tier Mobility raised $ 250 million from investors, to expand its operations beyond the 80 cities in 10 countries it now covers.

    In September, Swedish company Voi won Europe’s largest exclusive e-scooter contract in UK.

    In June, Enel X and Bird have consolidated their cooperation by adding to Enel X’s JuicePass app a section dedicated to the rental service of over 5,000 Bird electric scooters in different Italian cities.

    In February, Bird acquired Circ, an micromobility company with operations spanning across 43 cities in 12 countries.

  • Enel X customers will be able to rent Bird electric scooters in Italy

    Enel X customers will be able to rent Bird electric scooters in Italy

    Enel X and Bird have consolidated their cooperation by adding to Enel X’s JuicePass app a section dedicated to the rental service of over 5,000 Bird electric scooters in different Italian cities, such as Turin, Rome, Milan, Verona, Rimini, and Pesaro.

    The aim of this cooperation is to offer customers the option of a fully integrated mobility experience.

    Enel X JuicePass users will be redirected to the Bird app to book and use the scooters once the nearest ones have been identified on the map.

    EV drivers will now be able to park and refuel at the charging points accessible through JuicePass, and continue their journeys on Bird scooters, relieving city traffic and protecting the environment.

    At the end of the journey, the scooter must be parked in a safe place that does not interfere with pedestrians and vehicles.

    There is an initial charge for unlocking the vehicle and a fee per minute.

  • Bird acquires Circ, European micromobility leader

    Bird acquires Circ, European micromobility leader

    • The combined company will result in Bird adding more than 300 employees to its European operations;
    • Bird announced a $75 million extension to its Series D funding round, bringing the size of the round to $350 million. 

    Founded by serial entrepreneur and investor, Lukasz Gadowski, Circ is a leading shared e-scooter company in Europe and the Middle East.

    With operations spanning across 43 cities in 12 countries, Circ has brought world-class city-centric solutions and customer service to millions of riders.

    “I founded Bird nearly three years ago because we need to change the status quo and take a transformative stance to combat the traffic and pollution that affect our cities and endanger people globally,” said Travis VanderZanden, founder and CEO of Bird.

    “To further advance our mission, we’re excited to acquire Circ which is the clear European leader. We like their laser focus on treating cities as their number 1 customer and their mindset of prioritizing profitability over growth.” 

    “With deep city partnerships and leading technology, we have established ourselves as the micromobility leader in Europe,” said Lukasz Gadowski, founder and CEO, Circ.

    “As a combined company with Bird, we will be able to significantly accelerate our mission throughout Europe to provide safe, available, affordable, convenient, and sustainable rides.” 

    Bird increases Series D to meet investor demand

    Just three months after announcing an initial $275 million Series D investment led by CDPQ and Sequoia Capital, Bird is increasing the round to $350 million. Due to demand, the series remained open providing investors the opportunity to become part of Bird’s global micro-mobility mission.

    Capital from the investment will be used to make rapid progress on the company’s path to profitability, to increase its vehicle development and research initiatives, and to support European expansion plans.