In a landmark development, Moving Tech, the company behind India’s leading community-led mobility apps Namma Yatri, Yatri Sathi, Yatri, and Mana Yatri, has secured USD 11 million (INR 92 crore) in a pre-Series A funding round. This round was led by Blume Ventures and Antler, with significant participation from Google and other investors. This investment marks a pivotal moment in Moving Tech’s mission to enhance commuter convenience and empower drivers across the country.
Why Moving Tech Matters
Founded as a spin-off from Juspay in 2020, Moving Tech embarked on its mobility journey with the launch of Yatri, India’s first open mobility app built on the BECKN/ONDC protocol. The subsequent launch of Namma Yatri in Bengaluru in 2022 further cemented its commitment to creating a transparent, efficient, and sustainable transportation ecosystem. Moving Tech’s community-first model aims to elevate service quality for passengers, boost driver incomes, and reduce customer costs through its fully open-source apps, Namma Yatri, Yatri Sathi, Yatri, and Mana Yatri.
Driving Towards a Sustainable Future
The fresh infusion of funds will be channelled towards technological advancements, research and development, and product innovations. The objective is to develop an integrated, fully digitised public transportation system that matches the convenience and seamlessness of private cabs and autos. This vision aligns with Moving Tech’s broader goal of increasing public transport usage and promoting a sustainable future.
“Moving Tech is at the forefront of transforming mobility with a fresh and innovative model. We were amazed by the simplicity of what the tech and a robust product can do to solve mass mobility. We are glad to partner with an exceptional team and back their grand vision,” said Karthik Reddy, Partner at Blume Ventures.
Emphasis on Digital Public Infrastructure
Moving Tech’s focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is pioneering, as highlighted by Fady Abdel-Nour and Nitin Sharma, Partners at Antler. “Namma Yatri’s focus on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is pioneering. They are building the mobility of the future—one that is inclusive, efficient, and sustainable. We are thrilled to support them.”
The commitment to DPI ensures that the company’s apps, which are part of the ONDC Network, provide open data metrics and transparent operations. This approach aims to create a mobility solution akin to the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for the transportation sector.
Empowering Drivers and Enhancing Commuter Experience
Moving Tech’s direct-to-driver and multimodal transportation models aim to increase driver earnings while providing reliable, affordable, and seamless mobility solutions for all. Since its inception, the company has facilitated 46 million trips, generating ₹7 billion in driver earnings without taking any commissions. With a user base of 7 million and 400,000 drivers across 8 cities and towns, Moving Tech is on a rapid growth trajectory.
Co-founders Magizhan Selvan and Shan M S emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainable transportation. “With our people-first approach, our goal is to build empathetic products and tech that are 10x better. By collaborating with Samaaj (Community), Sarkar (Government), and Bazaar (Business), we aspire to create an impact similar to UPI in India and Linux worldwide. This funding will enable us to innovate and grow further.”
Looking Ahead
As Moving Tech continues to expand its footprint, the new funds will be crucial in enhancing the technological backbone of its operations. The focus will be on developing products that provide a seamless and integrated public transportation experience. This aligns with the company’s vision of promoting sustainable transportation solutions and setting a new benchmark in the Indian mobility landscape.
By addressing the core needs of commuters and drivers, Moving Tech aims to transform how urban India travels, making public transportation a preferred choice over private vehicles. The company’s community-led approach and commitment to open-source solutions are poised to revolutionise the mobility sector, creating a model that could be replicated globally.