The Hit Forge is a San Francisco-based social media investment firm that helps build mass-market web properties.

The Hit Forge

Founded in November 1998 by entrepreneurs Laurent Drion and Gregory Hédo, E-Merge has invested, generally as lead investor, in more than 30 Technology Startups .   We focus on early stages of development (Seed and Series A).  Our three original target industries were: Telecom, E-Commerce Tools & Online Payment Systems.   In 2012 we also started paying attention to Commercial Space investment opportunities, including businesses built around the open-source CubeSat standard and made our first investment in this area.  The portfolio companies are carefully selected for their technological and commercial strengths. They have strong dedicated management teams with relevant expertise, a significant growth potential, strongly automatized processes, and recurring revenue.  Typical investments range between USD 50,000 and USD 1,500,000 per portfolio company.  In addition to capital, E-Merge shares its experience with its portfolio companies in a wide range of areas: strategy, development of the business plan, key-persons recruitment, technology choices, marketing & press relations, legal matters, fundraising, M&A etc...   Portfolio companies also get access to E-Merge's extended network in its target industries.  E-Merge distinguishes itself from other investors by the entrepreneurial profile of its founders and managers, for its rapid decision-making and for taking the risk of investing in very early stage companies.   Thanks to their entrepreneurial background E-Merge's partners have an excellent understanding of the challenges facing innovative startups and their founders.

E-Merge

Red Swan is a seed stage venture capital firm investing in entrepreneurs who delight customers, create culture, and disrupt industries.  If Black Swans are unforeseen calamitous events, Red Swans are great companies most of us never saw coming. They are built by entrepreneurs who create joy for their customers, provide meaning to their employees, and who scare their shareholders by passing on acquisition offers. They tend to be movements as much as businesses.

Red Swan Ventures

Winklevoss Capital Management partners with a select number of early stage companies to provide investment with a full service approach to driving growth.

Winklevoss Capital

Resolute Partners provides advanced network engineering expertise for effortless, robust, and secure network solutions. The company provides nationwide systems design, wired and wireless network engineering, advanced video security system installations, VSaaS and video monitoring solutions, and IoT integration services for commercial enterprises, and government agencies. Resolute Partners engineering, systems design, and network management services have helped hundreds of organizations across the U.S. spanning the education, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, military and defense, and multi-family residential industries.

Resolute Partners

TheVentureCity is a global early-stage venture fund, investing in product-centric startups across the US, Europe, and Latam. With more than $150M under management, the firm invests from pre-seed and seed with a ticket size from $100-500k to Series A with $1-4M.

TheVentureCity

Seaya is a leading European Venture Capital platform that invests in exceptional entrepreneurs who are building global technology companies. Seaya raised its first funding in 2013 and currently manages over €600 million across five early-stage venture funds. Seaya accelerates the growth of startups by leveraging the founder’s strategic vision, providing them with Seaya’s global platform, its extensive network of founders, investors and multinational corporations, as well as all its experience in the global expansion of companies such as Glovo, Cabify, Wallbox (NYSE:WBX), Spotahome, Clarity AI, Clicars, Alma and RatedPower. Learn more at seaya.vc.

Seaya

Marc Bell Ventures is a venture capital firm that offers early-stage and private equity investment services to firms in the finance, hospitality, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 2000 by Marc Bell and is based in Florida.

Marc Bell Ventures

M13 provides strategic counsel and operational expertise to help founders grow their companies. Through Fund II, M13 will expand its focus to emerging technologies driving change in consumer behavior over the next decade.   Founded in 2016 with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco.

Rakuten Capital is a corporate venture capital group that provides funding, sector experience and operational support to its portfolio companies across the world. Rakuten Capital is part of the Rakuten Group, one of the world’s leading internet service companies. Rakuten has built and invested in innovative internet businesses in e-commerce, financial services, digital content and advertising since 1997. Rakuten has ranked in the top 30 of Forbes Magazine‘s annual “World’s Most Innovative Companies” list, and operates in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The company is headquartered in Tokyo and is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Rakuten Capital

Cometa is an investment firm that invests in early stage technology companies. COMETA is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology companies targeting Spanish-speaking markets

Cometa

Partner Ventures is a 'secondary direct' venture capital fund. We provide liquidity to preferred stockholders of excellent companies, typically taking a seat on the company's Board of Directors. We work collaboratively with portfolio company management and board to help achieve its growth, profitability and liquidity objectives.

Partner Ventures

AngelList is a U.S. website for startups, angel investors, and job-seekers looking to work at startups. It is the parent company of AngelList Venture, AngelList Talent, and Product Hunt and has more than 20 unicorns in the portfolio. They support millions of job-seekers in their search and helped makers launch over 100,000 products that will define the future of tech.

AngelList

Western Technology Investment is a venture capital firm that specializes in offering acquisition financing to revenue-generating firms. The firm provides debt and lease financing to venture capital backed technology companies.

Western Technology Investment

Endeavor Catalyst is the rules-based, co-investment fund of Endeavor, set up to invest exclusively in Endeavor Entrepreneur-led companies and to sustain Endeavor’s long-term operations in a mission-aligned way. Launched in 2012, Endeavor Catalyst has ~$500M+ AUM across four funds and has made 260+ investments to date in 35+ different markets. Today The Endeavor Catalyst portfolio has 53 companies valued at $1B+. Investments include Globant (NYSE:GLOB), Rappi, and Creditas in Latin America; Yemeksepeti.com and Careem in MENA; and Bukalapak and Carro in Indonesia.

Endeavor Catalyst

BossaNova is the number one Brazilian Micro Venture Capital. We are the most active investor in the pre-seed stage in Latin America with more than 1200 investments in over 1000 Startups. We also invest in global companies, directly or through co-investment syndicates on AngelList.

Bossanova Investimentos

GAT Investments

Liil works with early-stage companies focused on smart city and new mobility. The company focuses on brave, smart teams, and ideas that look to make a difference towards the future of cities. Liil provides more than just capital, strategic support and transportation intelligence to help them build their ventures faster, broader and more successful.

Liil Ventures

Cabify

Lana is a technology company that through its App connects people in LATAM (México, Chile and Perú) that have been traditionally excluded or underserved by incumbent banks with payments and other financial services more adapted to their needs.

Cabify is a ride-sharing company that connects private users and companies with the forms of transport that suit their needs. At Cabify, they make sure their customers - passengers and drivers - enjoy the ride. Charging a fair price, improving your door-to-door journey, and making transport accessible to all are just some of the things they think are important. Why? Because they believe that by making transport better, they can make their cities and communities better. Founded in 2011, the company is headquartered in Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Cabify is a multi-mobility platform that provides ride-hailing services primarily in Spain and Latin America. The company offers a user-friendly mobile app that allows customers to request rides, with features such as upfront pricing, real-time tracking, and various vehicle options. Cabify emphasizes quality and customer service, ensuring thorough background checks for drivers and promoting sustainability by integrating eco-friendly vehicles into its fleet. In Spain, Cabify has made significant strides toward its goal of achieving a fully decarbonized fleet by 2025, with a notable increase in the number of electric vehicles and kilometers traveled using electric vehicles in 2022. The company reported a 32% global revenue growth in 2022, reaching EUR 626 million, and aims to triple its turnover in the next three years. Cabify's technology platform employed 1,009 employees globally in 2022.

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Lana

Base10 Partners

Cathay Innovation

Cabify is a multi-mobility platform that provides ride-hailing services primarily in Spain and Latin America. The company offers a user-friendly mobile app that allows customers to request rides, with features such as upfront pricing, real-time tracking, and various vehicle options. Cabify emphasizes quality and customer service, ensuring thorough background checks for drivers and promoting sustainability by integrating eco-friendly vehicles into its fleet. In Spain, Cabify has made significant strides toward its goal of achieving a fully decarbonized fleet by 2025, with a notable increase in the number of electric vehicles and kilometers traveled using electric vehicles in 2022. The company reported a 32% global revenue growth in 2022, reaching EUR 626 million, and aims to triple its turnover in the next three years. Cabify's technology platform employed 1,009 employees globally in 2022.

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 Lyft is a technology company that provides an on-demand ride-hailing platform connecting passengers with drivers. The company operates a mobile app that allows users to request rides from nearby drivers using their personal vehicles. Lyft's primary offering is private rides, enabling passengers to book individual trips for transportation. In addition to rides, the company expanded into food and package delivery services in recent years.
 
 
 
 
 Lyft's business model relies on leveraging its network of independent contractor drivers who utilize the platform to accept ride requests. The company charges a commission on each completed trip, with the remaining fare going to the driver. Lyft has implemented various features within its app to streamline the ride experience, such as upfront pricing for passengers and in-app tipping for drivers.
 
 
 
 
 Lyft's technology facilitates the ride-hailing process by matching nearby available drivers with passenger requests, optimizing for factors like proximity and demand. The app leverages GPS tracking to provide real-time updates on driver locations and estimated arrival times. Passengers can rate drivers after each trip, contributing to the platform's safety measures.
 
 
 
 
 In terms of market presence, Lyft operates primarily in the US and Canada. As of March 2024, the company held a 24% market share in the US rideshare industry, trailing behind its larger competitor, Uber. Lyft's observed sales saw a 3% year-over-year increase in March 2024, though they have yet to surpass pre-pandemic levels.
 
 
 
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Lyft

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 Swvl is a global technology provider offering enterprise and government mobility solutions. The company's platform serves as an alternative to public transportation, enabling individuals who cannot access or afford private options to conveniently book rides on private buses and vans through a proprietary app. Swvl's parallel mass transit systems empower users to commute safely, efficiently, and in an environmentally friendly manner, with varied payment options available.
 
 
 
 
 As of July 2024, Swvl secured a significant 5-year contract worth up to USD 6.3 million with e&amp; Egypt, a leading telecom operator in the country. This partnership reinforces Swvl's presence in the Egyptian market and solidifies its position as a frontrunner in the mobility industry. Additionally, Swvl acquired Volt Lines in March 2024, marking its fourth acquisition since August 2023, following the acquisitions of Door2door, ViaPool, and Shotl in previous months.
 
 
 
 
 In May 2022, Swvl announced plans to reduce its headcount by 32%, focusing on roles that had been automated through investments in engineering, product development, and support functions. This restructuring effort aimed to achieve cash flow positivity by 2023. Swvl made its debut on the Nasdaq Stock Market on April 1, 2022, after merging with the blank-check company Queen's Gambit Growth Capital.
 
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SWVL

Lime is a micromobility company offering shared electric bikes and scooters for short-term rentals in over 280 cities across nearly 30 countries. The company has been at the forefront of the micromobility revolution, providing a sustainable and emission-free transportation alternative for short-distance travel within urban areas. Its proprietary electric vehicles are designed and built in-house, ensuring longevity, safety, and operational efficiency.
In the first half of 2023, Lime reported gross bookings of USD 250 million, a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The company achieved an adjusted EBITDA profitability of USD 27 million and an unadjusted profitability of USD 20.6 million during this period, reflecting a 45% margin improvement over the previous year. With its improved vehicle lifespans averaging five years and reduced operational costs, Lime has successfully optimized its unit economics.
Lime's strategic acquisition of Uber's Jump bikes and scooters in May 2020 solidified its position as the largest micromobility company globally. This move not only expanded Lime's operational reach but also provided a financial lifeline during the Covid-19 pandemic, enabling the company to weather the crisis and emerge stronger.

Lime

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 Getaround is a peer-to-peer car sharing platform that connects car owners with individuals seeking rental vehicles. It operates a digital marketplace where owners can list their personal vehicles for rent on an hourly or daily basis. Renters have the convenience of accessing nearby cars through Getaround's mobile app, unlocking the vehicle using their smartphone without the need for a key exchange.
 
 
 
 
 Getaround's innovative technology includes the patented Getaround Connect device installed in listed cars. This device allows for contactless access, enabling renters to unlock the car directly from the app. It also provides insights into the vehicle's location, trip details, fuel levels, and security. The company's business model does not involve purchasing or maintaining a dedicated fleet of rental cars.
 
 
 
 
 Getaround allows car owners to monetize their underutilized personal vehicles, earning hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month by renting them out when not in use. The platform offers a diverse range of vehicle types, including sedans, SUVs, trucks, and specialty cars like Teslas. Rental costs can vary widely, starting from as low as USD five per hour for basic models to over USD 400 per day for luxury vehicles.
 
 
 
 
 Getaround provides comprehensive insurance coverage for both owners and renters during active trips. While the company takes a 40% commission from rental revenue, it handles various operational aspects, such as identity verification, damage protection, and customer support.
 
 
 
 
 Key customers and partnerships
 
 
 
 
 
 In March 2023, Getaround announced an expanded partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish over 100 dedicated car share locations across the city. This initiative aims to enhance mobility options, reduce traffic congestion, and promote sustainability by encouraging car sharing, particularly in underserved neighborhoods.
 
 
 
 
 Getaround has also collaborated with the City of Las Vegas, introducing dedicated parking spaces for its shared vehicles near transit hubs, downtown areas, and the Las Vegas Strip. Such partnerships with municipal authorities demonstrate the company's efforts to integrate seamlessly into urban transportation ecosystems.
 
 
 
 
 Additionally, Getaround offers a &quot;Drive with Uber&quot; program in select cities like Boston, San Francisco, and Atlanta. This partnership allows individuals without personal vehicles to book eligible cars from Getaround's platform and use them for rideshare services like Uber, providing a supplemental income opportunity.
 
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Getaround

Bird is a micromobility company that operates shared electric scooter and bicycle services across cities worldwide. Its core offering involves deploying fleets of e-scooters and e-bikes that customers can rent through a mobile app for short urban trips as an alternative to driving or public transit. Bird's scooters are equipped with electric motors and can be unlocked and paid for via the company's app.
In its early years, Bird rapidly expanded into hundreds of cities by leveraging a dockless model where scooters could be parked anywhere. However, the company faced challenges with unit economics, as the relatively inexpensive scooter models had short lifespans and were prone to damage from heavy usage. Bird later transitioned to a model utilizing more durable, purpose-built scooters designed for longer lifecycles.
Despite being a pioneer in the shared micromobility space, Bird consistently struggled with profitability. In November 2022, the company admitted overstating its shared scooter revenue for at least two years due to improperly recording uncollected balances, requiring restatements of its 2020 and 2021 financials. Bird's cash crunch ultimately led to layoffs, market exits, and a bankruptcy filing in December 2023 to facilitate a sale of its US assets while its Canadian and European operations continued normally.
Prior to its bankruptcy, Bird reported having facilitated over 300 million trips globally as of December 2023, offsetting an estimated 90 million pounds of carbon emissions. In September 2022, Bird acquired rival Spin for USD 19 million, collectively operating across 350 cities at that time.

Bird

Short-term car rental platforms, often in the form of a marketplace, that allow users to rent a car by the hour, on-demand.

Platforms that facilitate carpooling on-demand, allowing drivers and passengers to organize shared rides with one another. Also includes those that offer pre-arranged car pooling services but excludes van and bus sharing services.

Platforms that connect passengers with personal drivers on-demand, for dedicated rides.

Platforms that gives commuters access to transportation options such as bikes, scooters, segways, etc. that are designed for short distances, typically under 5 miles. The segment includes bike and scooter sharing services excluding hailing services.

Platforms that offer multi-passenger/pooled shuttle buses or vans on-demand or a fixed schedule, including van and bus sharing

Solutions such as ride and car sharing promote efficient use of resources

Technological innovations into urban mobility systems such as micromobility

IoT provides apps with real-time information to facilitate ride hailing and other shared transport methods

Cabify

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