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§ Private Profile · San Francisco, CA, USA
A peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace at airports, connecting vehicle owners with travelers for rentals and free parking.
FlightCar has raised $41.6M across 4 funding rounds.
Key people at FlightCar.
FlightCar was founded in 2012 by Shri Ganeshram (Founder/CTO).
FlightCar has raised $41.6M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Based in San Francisco, California, FlightCar operated a peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace at airports that allowed vehicle owners to park for free and rent their cars to incoming travelers. The platform offered renters a wide selection of vehicles at lower rates than traditional rental agencies, averaging $25 to $30 per day, while providing owners with mileage-based compensation and a $1 million liability insurance policy. Before ceasing its independent operations, the company scaled its workforce to 51 employees and raised over $40 million in total venture funding to support its nationwide expansion. Following its official shutdown in July 2016, the startup's technology platform and remaining assets were acquired by Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America to enhance their corporate mobility innovation initiatives. FlightCar was originally founded in 2013 by Rujul Zaparde, Kevin Petrovic, and Shri Ganeshram.
Key people at FlightCar.
FlightCar was a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform operating primarily at airports, often described as the "Airbnb of car rentals." It allowed travelers to park their cars for free at participating airports while renting them out to other travelers, providing cheaper rental options and passive income for car owners. The company aimed to optimize the use of idle vehicles, offering $1 million liability insurance, free cleaning services, and a streamlined rental process. Despite raising over $40 million from prominent investors, including Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky, FlightCar ceased operations in 2016 after facing regulatory challenges and operational difficulties. Its assets were acquired by Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, which integrated FlightCar’s technology into its mobility services[1][2][3].
FlightCar was founded in 2013 by Rujul Zaparde, Kevin Petrovic, and Shri Ganeshram, all young entrepreneurs who drew inspiration from Airbnb’s sharing economy model. The idea emerged when Zaparde, after reading about Airbnb, realized a similar concept could be applied to cars parked at airports, which often sit idle for days. The founders, all in their late teens or early twenties and Ivy League dropouts, launched FlightCar initially near San Francisco International Airport and expanded to 12 airports nationwide. Early traction included over 1,500 rentals and a listing of 1,400 cars within the first year, backed by seed and venture funding rounds totaling more than $40 million[1][2][4][6].
FlightCar was part of the broader sharing economy and mobility innovation wave, leveraging peer-to-peer technology to disrupt traditional car rental and airport parking industries. The timing coincided with growing consumer acceptance of sharing platforms and increasing demand for cost-effective, flexible transportation solutions. However, FlightCar’s challenges with airport regulations and scaling highlighted the complexities of integrating peer-to-peer services into highly regulated environments. Despite its shutdown, FlightCar contributed valuable lessons and technology to the mobility ecosystem, influencing how automakers like Mercedes-Benz approach new mobility services[1][3][7].
Though FlightCar ultimately failed as an independent startup due to regulatory hurdles and operational scaling issues, its acquisition by Mercedes-Benz indicates the lasting value of its technology and concept. The future of peer-to-peer car sharing at airports may depend on evolving regulatory frameworks and integration with larger mobility platforms. Trends such as autonomous vehicles, electric mobility, and seamless multi-modal transportation could shape how FlightCar’s original vision is realized in the coming years. The company’s story underscores the promise and challenges of applying sharing economy models to traditional industries like car rentals and airport services[1][3].
FlightCar has raised $41.6M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $21.0M Series B in October 2015.
FlightCar was founded in 2012 by Shri Ganeshram (Founder/CTO).
FlightCar has raised $41.6M in total across 4 funding rounds.
FlightCar's investors include Ballistic Ventures, Forgepoint Capital, Founders Circle Capital, Hoxton Ventures, IVP, Jackson Square Ventures, Lerer Hippeau, NextGen Venture Partners, Notable Capital, Rianta Capital, Booking Holdings, First Round Capital.
