London-based suburban platform Zeelo raises more than £ 8.5million to speed up electric bus shuttle service

Zeelo, one of Europe’s leading smart commuter mobility platforms for organizations, has raised just over £ 8.5million ($ 12million) to accelerate expansion in the US, Europe and Africa , invest in its SaaS technology offering and continue to deploy a fully electric bus shuttle. programs.

Zeelo has achieved 600% revenue growth in the past 18 months, achieving regional profitability, supporting companies in the logistics and manufacturing sectors, as well as post-pandemic hybrid workplaces and schools; enable people living in car-dependent areas to access work and education through sustainable transport.

The company works with employers, schools and fleet operators to deliver affordable and convenient bus programs that provide a viable alternative to driving, to support staff recruitment and reduce CO2 emissions related to driving. home-work journeys.

Using Zeelo’s mobile apps, customer workplace planning tools, route optimization software and light vehicle model, the company claims costs are reduced by up to 42% compared to using a traditional bus operator and that CO2 emissions are reduced by 78%. with 30 cars off the road for each trip.

The company claims to offer both “turnkey and SaaS solutions” to multinational customers such as Ocado, Amazon and Wincanton.

“Outside of urban centers, the vast majority of people need a car to access work and education. Among our shiftwork clients, 30% of candidates do not show up for the job interview because they cannot attend. . Zeelo plays an important role in improving social mobility and decarbonizing transport. In the past 18 months, employers have also understood the importance of this. Now is the time to bring this to the masses, ”said Sam Ryan, co-founder and CEO.

Zeelo will use the capital to accelerate its expansion in the United States and Europe, as well as to deploy its technology platform as a SaaS solution to fleet operator partners and encourage the transition to zero emission buses and coaches. The round was led by ETF Partners, with participation from InMotion Ventures and various angel investors, including Neil Smith, founder of Transit Systems.

“Zeelo’s focus on public transport deserts directly addresses the issues of car dependency, transport emissions and social mobility. The growth of the business during the pandemic has been extraordinary and we are delighted to continue to support the business. The world needs more affordable and sustainable public transport – Zeelo defines the category, ”added Patrick Sheehan, Managing Partner at ETF Partners.

Zeelo is a smart bus platform for organizations, whose mission is to enable access to safe and sustainable transport for daily journeys.

Headquartered in London with operations in the UK, US and South Africa, serving over 70 customers with over 75 employees and moving nearly 100,000 passengers each month.

Zeelo was founded by serial mobility entrepreneurs Sam Ryan and Barney Williams, who moved from JumpIn, a rideshare company, to Addison Lee in 2014.