Google Chooses ‘JustRide’ For Its Launchpad Programme

Google has opted ‘JustRide’ as one of the companies for its startup accelerator programme, ‘Google Launchpad’. The programme aims at connecting selected startups with strong business models from India, Brazil and Indonesia. The startups that are selected will get an intensive two week mentorship programme, $50,000 as starting investment and no equity. There will also be a $250,000 assistance which includes access to Google’s products which include maps and assitance to take up office space.

JustRide, a self-drive car rental company started operations in Mumbai this year. It was co-founded by five IITians and has a backing of angel funding. It has expanded its operations to Bangalore, Pune, Noida and Gurgaon.

In contrast to rent-a-car firms who buy their cars outright, JustRide, at the moment is raising Series A round of funding that will be used to scale services across 12 cities through India with a fleet of 9000 cars by end of 2016. JustRide functions on an aggregator model obtaining its vehicles from inddependent vendors. The customers can book for the vehicle via the company’s website or through their mobile App. In order to ease service facilitation, JustRide has launched home delivery services. The company has a clientele of 20000 customer within six months of its commecement date. They serve about 200 customers daily.

JustRide cars come with the company’s flagship technology- SmartVehicle Technology (SVT) that taps into the vehicle’s electronic system offering real time access to the location and performance parameters of the vehicle.