Blacklane, a global chauffeur service, has announced a partnership with international auto-service provider, SIXT. This collaboration not only signifies a partnership but also encompasses a considerable multi-million euro investment by SIXT, amounting to over €33.9 million, marking Blacklane’s second closing in its Series F funding round.
With this move, SIXT joins the roster of major Blacklane shareholders, alongside other significant names such as Mercedes-Benz Mobility and the Gargash Group. A primary goal of this alliance is to spearhead growth on a global scale, particularly targeting the North American market.
Blacklane has showcased impressive growth, with its revenue seeing a four-fold increase in 2022 compared to the prior year. Headquartered in Berlin and employing a team of 300, the firm’s primary objective is to provide top-notch and eco-friendly chauffeur services worldwide.
As part of the partnership, Blacklane’s services will be integrated into the SIXT app, aiming for availability in the US and other international territories by 2024. Both companies aim to leverage this partnership, with Blacklane gaining from SIXT’s vast vehicle fleet and connected services.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) at SIXT, Nico Gabriel said: “We at SIXT are committed to providing premium mobility solutions in car rental, carsharing, subscription, and ride-hailing services. We welcome Blacklane on board as an additional valued partner in our mobility ecosystem and are looking forward to jointly creating synergies for our business with this partnership.”
Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and Co-Founder of Blacklane, expressed: “We are thrilled to win SIXT as our partner and investor in this funding round. Their extensive experience in the ground transportation and travel industry, combined with our expertise in premium chauffeur services, creates a powerful bond. This partnership will drive both companies’ global growth and innovation, solidifying Blacklane’s position as an industry leader.”
This latest investment in Blacklane, now pegged at a value 50% higher than its 2020 valuation, followed a prior investment in its Series F round by Mercedes-Benz Mobility and Gargash Group.
Blacklane has ambitious plans for the near future. This includes investments in new service offerings and increasing its employee base both in Germany and internationally. Moreover, the firm is committed to sustainability, aiming to have 15% of its rides using electric vehicles by the end of 2023 and a significant 50% by 2025. It’s worth noting that Blacklane is offsetting the carbon footprint for all rides since its inception in 2011.
In this new phase, Blacklane has the support of several heavyweight investors, solidifying its growth trajectory in the global market.
