Bus Tracking App Chalo Raises $7 Mn To Expand Network To New Cities

Bus Tracking App Chalo Raises $7 Mn To Expand Network To New Cities

SUMMARY

Existing investors Raine Ventures, WhatsApp India chief Neeraj Arora and Google’s Amit Singhal participated in the round

Chalo had raised its Series A round in 2017 from WaterBridge Ventures and seed round in 2015-16

It offers live bus tracking showing live arrival times of the buses and a live passenger indicator across 30 cities

Transport tech startup Chalo has raised $7 Mn funding from existing investors Raine Ventures, WhatsApp’s former chief business officer Neeraj Arora, and former senior vice president and head of Google Search Amit Singhal. The family offices of Dabur’s Saket Burman and Tarun Sawhney of Triveni Group also participated in the round, along with other investors.

With this latest round of funding, Chalo has raised a total of $30 million till date. According to media reports, in 2019, Xiaomi’s Shunwei Capital was looking to acquire 10% stake in the company for INR 50 Cr ($6.8 Mn, at current conversion rate) at a valuation of INR 500 Cr ($68 Mn, at current conversion rate). This was expected to be part of the company’s Series B round.

The company, which was founded in 2014 by Vinayak Bhavnani and carwale.com’s cofounder Mohit Dubey, had raised its Series A round in 2017 from WaterBridge Ventures and seed round in 2015-16. The startup helps users navigate through the daily schedules of buses in 30 cities. The company also offers solutions for consumers and bus operators.

It offers live bus tracking showing live arrival times of the buses and a live passenger indicator that shows how crowded the bus is in real-time. The passengers can also use the Chalo app to buy mobile tickets and bus passes and pay digitally for their bus ticket using QR codes.

Chalo, previously known as Zophop, will use the latest funding to expand its network into multiple cities and increase the penetration of digital tickets technology in the already operational cities. The company says that it has noted an increased demand for digital ticket, live bus tracking and live passenger indicator as it has turned its focus towards safety and eliminating contact.

Besides this, it has also launched its near field communication (NFC) touch-to-pay smartcard, Chalo Card, in 12 cities across the country.

Talking about the funding, CEO Mohit Dubey, said “Buses are not just the most affordable means to commute, they are fundamental for the cities’ economy and revival. Chalo digitises these buses and makes them safe and reliable – with live tracking and contactless digital payment. We are building a unique company to improve experience in stage-carriage buses using a full tech stack.”

Last month, Mumbai-based app-based bus service Cityflo raised $7.7 Mn in Series A round led by Lightbox Ventures to expand its services on the current and new route. The company is looking to enhance its offerings beyond industry standards and strengthen its position as a daily commute brand for the city’s working professionals.

You have reached your limit of free stories
Become An Inc42 Plus Member

Become a Startup Insider in 2024 with Inc42 Plus. Join our exclusive community of 10,000+ founders, investors & operators and stay ahead in India’s startup & business economy.

2 YEAR PLAN
₹19999
₹7999
₹333/Month
Unlock 60% OFF
Cancel Anytime
1 YEAR PLAN
₹9999
₹4999
₹416/Month
Unlock 50% OFF
Cancel Anytime
Already A Member?
Discover Startups & Business Models

Unleash your potential by exploring unlimited articles, trackers, and playbooks. Identify the hottest startup deals, supercharge your innovation projects, and stay updated with expert curation.

Bus Tracking App Chalo Raises $7 Mn To Expand Network To New Cities-Inc42 Media
How-To’s on Starting & Scaling Up

Empower yourself with comprehensive playbooks, expert analysis, and invaluable insights. Learn to validate ideas, acquire customers, secure funding, and navigate the journey to startup success.

Bus Tracking App Chalo Raises $7 Mn To Expand Network To New Cities-Inc42 Media
Identify Trends & New Markets

Access 75+ in-depth reports on frontier industries. Gain exclusive market intelligence, understand market landscapes, and decode emerging trends to make informed decisions.

Bus Tracking App Chalo Raises $7 Mn To Expand Network To New Cities-Inc42 Media
Track & Decode the Investment Landscape

Stay ahead with startup and funding trackers. Analyse investment strategies, profile successful investors, and keep track of upcoming funds, accelerators, and more.

Bus Tracking App Chalo Raises $7 Mn To Expand Network To New Cities-Inc42 Media
Bus Tracking App Chalo Raises $7 Mn To Expand Network To New Cities-Inc42 Media
You’re in Good company