As I wrote yesterday in my chronicle about Uber, there is room for more than one chauffeur app in these markets, and drivers are dictating this by consistently using multiple apps while they drive. Rude Baguette has learned that Chauffeur Privé, arguably Uber’s top competitor in France, has recently closed a significant round of funding that will allow them to solidify their position in the French market.
Founded by Yan Hascoët, Othmane Bouhlal & Omar Benmoussa, Chauffeur Privé has already established itself, alongside players like Allocab, LeCab & SnapCar, as a ‘local’ version of Uber (in quotes, as they both use local drivers). Their website highly resembles that of Uber’s – save for the signature red ties – and they claim to have over 1,000 drivers & 100,000 downloads since their launch in 2012.
Neither the amount nor the investors have been made privy to us; however given the amount of new posts they’ve begun recruiting, it’s clear that business has been going well. The company grew more than 1000% from 2012 to 2013, having brought in over €5 Million in revenues via 250K rides in 2013 alone, Their apps are currently available on iOS, Android as well as a mobile version.