Prominent Russian-American businessman Leonard Blavatnik has invested $9.5 million in Get Taxi, an Israeli-based mobile taxi-booking company, together with Get Taxi’s founders, which include Shahar Smirin, a former executive at Comverse in Russia.
Founded last year in Israel, Get Taxi launched its service earlier this month in London. The new round of investment will be used to expand the company’s operations to Russia, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Get Taxi is a ‘virtual taxi stand’ that operates via a mobile application. When a user calls for a cab, the user’s location is identified by the smartphone’s GPS locator and transmitted to Get Taxi’s call center. Get Taxi then informs the caller of the taxi driver’s name and estimated waiting time.
The service provides users with access to driver and vehicle information as well as real-time views of taxis they order. Users can rank drivers, view previous ride details, and earn miles points toward free rides.
Last March, Blavatnik’s fund Access Industries invested in Russian group buying site Vigoda.ru.
Sources: The Jerusalem Post, Get Taxi
