HomeFundingGerman company Blacklane nabs several million euros to expand its ground transportation...

German company Blacklane nabs several million euros to expand its ground transportation services

Blacklane, the company that provides professional ground transportation at some of the lowest rates around the globe, has just announced a mid-seven-digit round of funding, and a valuation in the nine-figure euro range, from Japan-based Recruit Holdings Co., through its investment subsidiary RSP Fund No.5, LLC.

Blacklane provides professional ground transportation around the world at transparent and competitive fixed rates, and this fresh round of funding will continue Blacklane’s momentum in the same direction. The company has already expanded to another five US cities in October, bringing the US total to 40, as well as doubled its number of staff over the last eight months. Business continues to grow at an average rate of 20% per month, with a footprint spanning 50 countries and more than 150 cities, including more than 100 added in the last 12 months.

Their new strategic resource, the company’s first from Asia, augments investments from ALSTIN, b-to-v Partners, RI Digital Ventures, and car4you Holding, as well as the partner moovel (Daimler Mercedes-Benz). In this way, the new capital will help increase Blacklane’s business in Japan and beyond.

Dr. Jens Wohltorf, co-founder and CEO of Blacklane said: “It’s a great pleasure to welcome Recruit to our team and to work together on projects in Japan and other Asian countries. Blacklane will profit from Recruit’s experience and existing services in the Asian travel sector enormously.”

Akihiko Okamoto, head of Recruit Institute of Technology said: “Recruit acts as an online travel service provider for Asian travelers who are searching for simple, secure and global mobility solutions. We are impressed at both the quality of Blacklane’s service and its rapid expansion around the world.”

Additionally, travel industry visionary and PhoCusWright founder Philip C. Wolf will be added as a new board director. He will help shape Blacklane’s strategic planning and global expansion on the company’s board of directors. Previously, Wolf founded travel, tourism and hospitality intelligence company PhoCusWright and was CEO until the company was sold in 2011. Wolf said: “Blacklane is the only global brand of professional, reliable drivers. The time has come to modernise this market, and I am convinced of Blacklane’s enormous potential.”

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Marko Srsan
Marko Srsan
founder @TimePrepCFA, blogger interested in startups and VC along with social media and project management, a drummer and a passionate FC Bayern Munchen fan :)
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