Scoop Technologies, a US-based carpooling service backed by carmaker BMW and enterprise software producer Workday, has closed a $20m series B round.
The round was led by G2VP, the green technology fund formed by venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. It was disclosed together with a previously unannounced series A round led by VC firm Index Ventures that brought in $11m.
Founded in 2015, Scoop has developed a mobile app that enables users to find fellow commuters with which to carpool. Trips are prescheduled and the app’s algorithm generates the most efficient carpools based on factors such as routes or detours.
Scoop forms partnerships with businesses to offer a commuting option for employees, and its current partners include LinkedIn, T-Mobile, Symantec and Workday.
The app is currently available in Seattle and the San Francisco Bay Area and has been utilised for nearly 2 million trips so far. Scoop will use the funding to expand into new markets in the US.
BMW’s innovation arm, BMW i Ventures, contributed to Scoop’s $5.1m seed round in May 2016 alongside Workday’s corporate venturing vehicle, Workday Ventures, Signia Venture Partners and Index Ventures.
Rob Sadow, co-founder and chief executive of Scoop, said: “Our vision is to enrich millions of people’s lives by helping them choose to make their commute a meaningful part of their day.
“From new employees who can make valuable co-worker connections to [human resources] leaders who can now reduce stress due to the commute, we are excited about the benefits carpooling can have on employees and the companies they work for.”
– Image courtesy of Scoop Technologies, Inc.