The former TechFounders startup SPLT has been acquired by Bosch. The multinational technology and services company is thus entering the ride-sharing business.
SPLT operates a platform that allows companies, universities, and city administrations to implement carpooling services for their employees. The B2B approach specifically targets commuters: The startup uses an app to connect people who want to travel to the same place of work or study together. An algorithm finds the right carpool and calculates the fastest route.
Goal of SPLT: Less traffic jams and relaxed commuters
SPLT was founded in 2015 and is originally based in Detroit. Last year it participated in the TechFounders program in Munich. The service currently has around 140,000 users in the USA, Mexico, and Germany. The purchase price was not disclosed.
“With SPLT we are further expanding our offering in the growth area of mobility services,”
said Dr. Markus Heyn, Member of the Board of Management of Robert Bosch GmbH. Bosch is aiming for significant double-digit growth with connected mobility services.
The networking of road users and means of transport enables flexible, intermodal mobility: within seconds, everyone can decide how they want to travel and book with just a few clicks.
“With sustainable and affordable mobility, we want to fundamentally change the way people get from A to B,”
said Anya Babbitt, Co-founder and CEO of SPLT.
Commuting with colleagues
By the way, SPLT stands for sharing. Here's how it works: Companies, universities, or city administrations give their employees access to the SPLT platform. They download the app, register, and search for or offer rides. Bookings can be made spontaneously or in advance. Arrival times are displayed in real time, and costs are shared and billed online directly between colleagues. The B2B offering reaches users who travel the same routes every day. One advantage: Rides are shared among colleagues, and passengers don't have to get into cars with complete strangers. Company buses can also be integrated into the app, allowing them to be deployed more flexibly and utilized more effectively. This makes getting to and from work stress-free, affordable, and environmentally friendly. Companies also contribute to reducing traffic.
In the coming years, the number of SPLT users is expected to multiply – even beyond the regions already reached. Within Bosch itself, associates in Mexico are already using the app, and expansion throughout the company is planned. The startup will remain an independent unit within the Bosch Group and will be managed as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
