Bolt (company)

Bolt (company)

Bolt (company) is a transportation network company that provides ride-hailing, micromobility, and food delivery services. The company was founded by Markus Villig in 2013 in Tallinn, Estonia and operates in over 40 countries and more than 200 cities worldwide.

History

Bolt was initially launched under the name mTakso in 2013. In 2014, the company rebranded as Taxify and began expanding internationally. In 2019, the company rebranded again as Bolt to reflect its broadening transportation services beyond taxi rides.

Services

Bolt offers several services, including:

• Ride-hailing: Bolt's primary service is a platform that connects riders with drivers for hire. This service is similar to other ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft.

• Micromobility: Bolt also offers scooter and bike rentals in select cities. This service is part of the company's commitment to reducing urban congestion and pollution.

• Food delivery: In 2020, Bolt launched its food delivery service, Bolt Food, to compete with other food delivery platforms like Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Funding and valuation

Bolt has raised several rounds of funding from investors, including Didi Chuxing, Tencent, and Daimler. As of 2021, the company is valued at over $2 billion.

Criticism and controversy

Bolt has faced criticism and controversy over issues such as driver pay, passenger safety, and regulatory compliance. The company has taken steps to address these issues, including implementing new safety features and improving driver support.

See also

• Transportation network company
• Ride-hailing
• Micromobility
• Food delivery