Meet InDriver
By: Tshepiso Mokate
Tags: Uber, Indriver, Venture Capital, Transportation, E Hailing

InDriver. Tech Point Africa.

Every decade the world sees companies that come

in and change not only how the world of customers

change, but also the business world. It changes how

other businesses view their business models, how they

view customers, show the potential of certain markets

and so on. But most importantly, these businesses are

the birth stones of other businesses that will take from

its model and just make it better. Capitalism allows

that, to a certain degree. You don’t have to always have

to be the first to think of an idea, you can just be the

person who makes an idea better.

The first business that starts and thrives can also be

seen as the red indian that is sent over the mountain.

A business that is fitting to all of this is global e-hailing

giant Uber.Uber has gotten so big and influential, companies are

no longer afraid to even describe themselves as “the

Uber of trucks” or whatever. The explosion of Uber

into over 200 markets globally has inspired the birth

of competitors such as Bolt (Used to be called Taxify),

Lyft and, more recently InDriver.

InDriver is a Russian founded e-hailling company

now headquartered in New York, USA. The mobile

app allows passengers to name their own price for

nearby drivers to accept, decline or counter. The

Russian startup, which launched recently in four

African countries, operates in 200 cities globally and

is used by over 26 million people. The one thing that

tech companies made famous is the ability to raise

financing to fund expansions of a business. You

don’t always have to use your own money to grow

your business, Uber Technologies has raised over

$26billion in funding in 25 rounds, with Softbank

having contributed over $9billion in that sum as the

biggest investor. InDriver has been no exception and

has raised $15 million in two rounds from Leta Capital.

There is much debate all over the world on whether

we need more e-hailing services. If you live in most

major cities across the world you have over 5 options

that can take you anywhere. Perhaps the drivers of

the platforms may disagree with the notion though. All

across the world drivers from Uber, Bolt and Lyft have

complained about a broad range of issues from the

low-wages, lack of support from the companies, lack

of medical cover and even their own personal safety.

It is only smarter for an incumbent in the game to try

solve these issues.

As stated above, the model for InDriver is one that

focuses on giving customers the opportunity to

forward prices that they are willing to pay. This is great

for customers. However, it leaves drivers having to

‘fight ‘ for customers, and this might be a problem. In

the chase of food in the capital market, the one who

wins will not always be the smartest, but rather the one

who can charge the least for customers looking for

that. This simply means that drivers will be underpaid,

underserviced and left begging.

It is time that the world of transport relook its role in

shaping society, as it has and continues to play such

a great and valuable role. Companies that focus on

the growth of both its clients and workers may receive

more favour and future sustainability.