USA – Via, a NYC-based provider of digital infrastructure to power public mobility in cities around the world, raised a $200m Series E financing.
The round, led by EXOR, valued the company at $2.25 Billion. New investors Shell, Macquarie Capital, and Mori Building also participated in the round, as did existing investors Pitango, 83North, Hearst Ventures, Ervington Investments, Planven Ventures, Broadscale Group, and RiverPark Ventures. In conjunction with the funding, Noam Ohana — head of EXOR Seeds, the early stage investment arm of EXOR — will join Via’s Board of Directors. The company intends to use the funds to expand its business reach and advance its vision of efficient, accessible, and equitable public mobility. Co-founded by Oren Shoval and Daniel Ramot and launched in 2013, Via provides technology-enabled public mobility solutions that power public transportation, allowing cities to move beyond a system of rigid routes and schedules to a fully dynamic network. It does it by leveraging an algorithm that combines, in real time, multiple passengers or packages headed in the same direction, reducing urban congestion and emissions and by working closely with its more than 100 partners across municipalities, public transit agencies, transportation operators, major corporations, schools, and universities to optimize their transport systems. It is currently available in more than 70 cities in 20 countries (in Europe, the company is deployed as ViaVan). Commenting on the investment, John Elkann, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EXOR said: “At this uniquely challenging moment it is more important than ever to work determinedly for the innovative and sustainable future beyond these difficult days. Partnering with Daniel and Oren and their outstanding team to support the development of their powerful problem-solving technology confirms our strong and positive engagement with them and underlines EXOR’s continuing commitment to building great companies for a better tomorrow.” 01/04/2020
