Uber is buying Berlin-based startup Blacklane, which offers on-demand, black-car driver services, as the ride-hailing giant expands deeper into luxury and executive travel services.
This is a notable exit for Blacklane, which was founded in 2011. raised More instead $100 million to date Rental Car Company Sixt, mercedes benzand Alfahim, a group in the United Arab Emirates.
Uber said the acquisition still requires regulatory approval, but expects it to be completed by the end of this year. The two companies did not disclose financial terms of the deal.
The acquisition comes just weeks after Uber announced the launch of Uber Elite, which combines driver service with a host of luxury offerings like in-vehicle amenities, airport meet-and-greets, and 24/7 phone support. Uber Elite is starting small, only in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and also New York City. Blacklane operates in major cities across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America and North America.
