Uber is shopping for Berlin-based startup Blacklane, which offers on-demand, black-car chauffeur companies, because the ride-hail big expands deeper into luxurious and govt journey companies.
It’s a notable exit for Blacklane, which was based in 2011 and has raised more than $100 million thus far from rental car company Sixt, Mercedes-Benz, and ALFAHIM, a conglomerate within the UAE.
Uber mentioned the acquisition nonetheless wants regulatory approvals, however expects it to shut by the tip of this 12 months. The 2 firms didn’t disclose monetary phrases of the deal.
The acquisition comes only a few weeks after Uber introduced the launch of Uber Elite, which mixes a chauffeur service with quite a few luxurious choices like in-vehicle facilities, airport meet-and-greets, and 24/7 cellphone assist. Uber Elite is beginning small, in simply Los Angeles and San Francisco, with New York Metropolis on the horizon. Blacklane operates in main cities throughout Europe, the Center East, Asia, South America, and North America.
