Rocket Internet’s ‘Easy Taxi,’ a mobile taxi app, has today launched in the Middle East after raising $7 million from iMENA Holdings.
Starting with Saudi Arabia today, the funding, the largest funding to-date for a mobile application business in the region will help Easy Taxi to launch and steadily grow worldwide. the app has already rolled out in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Dr. Eyad Alkassar, Rocket Internet’s Managing Director and Co-Founder of Namshi commented: “Following our successful partnership for Hellofood, announced in September 2013, we are proud to be supported once again by iMENA. This collaboration will allow us to trigger Easy Taxi’s expansion in the Middle East. Due to iMENA’s great experience in backing businesses in the Middle East, they are the perfect partner for our global expansion plans and will help us to achieve our all-time goal: to connect taxi drivers and passengers in the best possible and easiest way worldwide.“
Launched by Rocket Internet in 2011, Easy Taxi is now one of the world’s leading mobile Taxi apps, connecting drivers and passengers in a smooth, easy and safe way. The app, available for iOS, Android and new Blackberry devices, confirms the customer’s pickup point and orders the closest cab in his vicinity, with the press of a button. In seconds, a confirmation of the driver’s name, photo, and car model and plate number are sent to the phone. From here on, customers can follow the vehicle’s location in real-time as it approaches, favorite addresses can be saved and the ride history checked. Since drivers are checked for compliance, before joining the network, passengers can be absolutely content about their safety and can simply enjoy their ride.
With over 2.000.000 downloads and over 60.000 taxi drivers in the network in 15 markets including Latin America, Africa and Asia, the app earlier this received fresh capital from Rocket Internet, the Latin America Internet Holding (LIH) and the African Internet Holding (AIH).
iMENA is thrilled to partner with Rocket Internet in Middle East.
“With our strong global partners AIH, LIH and Rocket Internet, as well as our regional partners, including Etisalat Group and their operating companies across the region, we believe, we can redefine the online business in the Middle East and set the path for a successful and profitable future”, said Khaldoon Tabaza, iMENA’s co-founder and Managing Director.