Global professional driver service Blacklane has raised the largest investment in its history, securing a “two-digit million Euro” Series C round.
German car manufacturer Daimler, through subsidiary Daimler Mobility Services, led the round. This is the second time that Daimler is investing in Blacklane, having done it in 2013 when it became the ground transportation service’s first strategic partner.
Existing investors RI Digital Ventures, b-to-v and Alstin also joined the latest round.
The Berlin-based company, founded in 2011, provides a chauffeur portal connecting travellers to professional chauffeurs via their mobile app, website and hotline.
Travellers can book Blacklane directly on its website or app.
Blacklane said in a statement it would use the funding to:
- Accelerate global expansion especially in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions with the adding of dozens of new cities this year. It now serves over 200 cities and 400 airports in 50 countries.
- Continue to enhance passenger and driver apps, its API, and portals for corporations and driver partners.
- Integrate with more distribution partners in the travel industry.
- Develop additional services, including new vehicle classes.
- Grow the team at its Berlin headquarters and beyond to manage its global operation.
“In the past professional driver services were expensive, inconsistent and difficult to book. But Blacklane has made them affordable, accessible, and reliable worldwide, while upholding the industry’s safety and quality standards,” said Jens Wohltorf, CEO and co-founder of Blacklane.
“With the additional strategic and financial support in place, we will bring even more innovation to our global passengers and drivers in the months and years ahead.”
Klaus Entenmann, chairman of Daimler Financial Services, said the company’s investment in Blacklane was part of its strategy to offer flexible and innovative mobility services to its customers.
“In recent years, we at Daimler Financial Services continuously developed our mobility services and platforms, in which we invested close to €500 million. We are prepared to make additional strategic investments in our mobility ecosystem,” he added.
