Uber is buying Berlin startup Blacklane to bolster its 'Elite' offering
Image: Primary Uber is buying Berlin-based startup Blacklane, which provides on-demand black-car chauffeur services. The deal comes as the ride-hail giant expands deeper into luxury and executive travel services.
Blacklane was founded in 2011. It has raised more than 100 million dollars to date from rental car company Sixt, Mercedes-Benz, and ALFAHIM, a conglomerate in the United Arab Emirates.
Uber said the acquisition still needs regulatory approvals. The company expects it to close by the end of this year. The two companies did not disclose financial terms of the deal.
The acquisition comes just a few weeks after Uber announced the launch of Uber Elite, which combines a chauffeur service with a number of luxury offerings like in-vehicle amenities, airport meet-and-greets, and 24/7 phone support. Uber Elite is starting small, in just Los Angeles and San Francisco, with New York City on the horizon. Blacklane operates in major cities across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, South America, and North America.
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