France-based chauffeur service Heetch has raised €10m ($11.8m) in funding from investors including Via-ID, the investment fund of auto repair centre operator and car equipment retailer Mobivia, according to Les Echos.
The round also featured venture capital firms Félix Capital and Alven, and follows a $500,000 seed investment by Via-ID in 2014.
Founded in 2013, Heetch initially operated a ride sharing app primarily aimed at a younger audience, before moving to a more Uber-like business model with a network of regular drivers. It focuses on night and weekend travel.
The latest round follows a Parisian court ruling six months ago that decalared the company was operating an illegal taxi service.
The funding will enable Heetch to relaunch as a chauffeur service in an effort to continue operations while respecting the judgement. The company will also offer a carpooling service, but will limit it to a single return journey per driver, per night, that has to be agreed in advance.
Heetch also hopes to continue its international expansion efforts, setting its sights on cities such as London. The company has already entered the Swedish, Italian and Belgian markets.