Swoop is a Los Angeles-based startup that just raised $3.2 million in seed funding from Signia Venture Partners, South Park Commons, and other investors.
Swoop is a technology marketplace that matches passengers to the best-fit group transportation provider. Passengers can log in to the website, enter the date, time, destination and group size and then select from hundreds of different transportation options.
The goal is to build a tech solution for group mobility owners to be able to book, dispatch, track and manage their rides.
Independent limo and bus operators are able to grow their business and expand their customer base through the use of Swoop while receiving back-end support via the app.
This announcement means the fragmented industry of vehicle owners for large group rides will now able to use Swoop’s tool to book, dispatch, track and manage all their rides.
How Swoop Came to Be
CEO and Co-Founder of Swoop Amir Ghorbani saw a need for this kind of technology while helping his parents with their limousine business while he was in high school and college.
Small business owners that run limo and bus services have a lot to keep track of and a lot to do. Swoop helps keep things organized and allows for a one-stop spot for payments, freeing up small business owners to focus on providing the level of service they want to provide and giving them tools they need all in one convenient app.
Swoop, through their software tool, hopes to save businesses time, money and increase their efficiencies. This is greatly needed in the chauffeured group transportation business that serves approximately 400 million people annually, spending more than $40 billion on the services. Swoop’s software tool allows businesses to put down the pen and paper and instead do their business digitally.
Swoop is different because it’s something that hasn’t really existed in this portion of the market. Sure, there’s Uber, Bird, Lime, Wheels, Lyft and taxis for individuals and small groups, but what if you have a wedding party, or a corporate event, or need to get a high school marching band to the airport?
According to Swoop’s FAQ section: “No more calling sketchy companies with limited customer service or waiting for quotes that always include hidden fees.
Simply go to Swoopapp.com, enter in your trip details, and discover a plethora of awesome vehicles that are suited to accommodate your trip. Once you select a Swoop vehicle that fits your needs, continue to the checkout and request your vehicle!
Pricing is instant. If you find a better price for a comparable vehicle, we’ll match it.
We source our vehicles through reliable transportation operators that go through an extensive review process and meet certain requirements – from driver training to commercial insurance.
Our mobile application is going under a remodel with some exciting changes to come.”
These are just a few of the reasons why investors are taking note of Swoop. Also, companies such as Google, Nike and Airbnb have already utilized Swoop.
Swoop has now served over 100,000 passengers and is ready to continue gaining momentum. With this news, we can expect to see Swoop’s technology continue to help the large group rides sector grow.
-Paula @ RSG
