Rideshare Commerce Startup Cargo Reaches 1 Millionth Passenger

Techstars Mobility alumnus announces new milestone at theNorth American International Auto Show

DETROIT — January 15, 2018 — Cargo, the leading in-car commerce platform for the rideshare economy, today announced it has reached the one million passenger mark just seven months after its June 2017 launch. The Techstars Mobility accelerator alum is one of 57 startups showcasing innovative mobility technologies as part of AutoMobili-D, a dedicated startup expo at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Cargo helps drivers earn additional income by distributing snacks, electronics, beauty, and personal care items to passengers. Drivers earn up to $500 per month from commissions, referrals, and performance bonuses, while increasing their ratings.

Cargo provides on-demand, in-car access to the products passengers need most and is a discovery platform for new, buzzworthy items like hangover cures and trendy Korean face masks, during an otherwise idle ride. For brands, Cargo is the only scalable solution for reaching the elusive Millennial and Generation Z audiences in-car, who avidly use Uber and other rideshare services.

In 2018, Cargo will expand from test markets New York, Chicago, and Boston to the top 10 rideshare markets across the U.S. The startup will reach more than 25 million passengers across 20,000 vehicles by the end of the year.

“People will spend more than two billion hours in rideshare vehicles this year. In a few years, we will consider premium in-car services an obvious conclusion. We are developing the next-generation passenger experience now so the rideshare companies, fleet managers, and OEMs developing Autonomous Vehicles will partner with Cargo as the market leading service provider,” said Cargo CEO and Founder Jeff Cripe.

“Cargo was one of the first companies to recognize the value of owning this new class of in-car real estate. Their impressive growth, consumer reach, and impact on the in-car experience shows the power startups have to shape the future of mobility,” said Ted Serbinski, Managing Director of the Techstars Mobility Accelerator.

Techstars Mobility has partnered with NAIAS, for the second year in a row, to produce the startup expo at AutoMobili-D, the flagship technology destination at the North American International Auto Show. This partnership is part of Techstars Mobility’s ongoing mission to connect the automotive and startup worlds by breaking down silos and forming partnerships. Out of the 57 participating startups, 19 are Techstars alumni, including Cargo.

About Cargo

Cargo is the leading provider of in-car goods and services for the rideshare economy. With access to Uber’s API, Cargo’s in-car commerce platform enables passengers to use a smartphone browser to buy from a curated mix of snacks, gum, premium electronics, cosmetics, and personal care items while in transit. Press assets here.  www.getcargo.today

How to transact in-car:

  • A passenger visits www.cargo.menu on her phone and enters the unique code on her driver’s Cargo box
  • Passenger selects a product and checks out using her preferred mobile wallet or credit card
  • Driver receives notification for the order and passes product to passenger

About Techstars Mobility

Techstars helps entrepreneurs succeed. Through the Techstars Worldwide Entrepreneur Network, founders connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporations to grow their companies. Techstars operates four divisions: Techstars Startup Programs, Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships, and the Techstars Venture Capital Fund.

Techstars Mobility is a Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Program part of Techstars. Techstars Mobility is the first North American accelerator focused on the future of transportation and mobility. Headquartered in downtown Detroit but investing worldwide in startups, Techstars Mobility has invested in 33 mobility startups since June 2015.
www.techstars.com/mobility