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Karshare, based in Bristol, UK, operates a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform that enables car owners to rent their vehicles to vetted local drivers through a smartphone application. This service aims to reduce the need for personal car ownership and supports net-zero objectives by optimizing resource utilization, functioning as a community-driven alternative to traditional car rental. During its initial launch phase, the platform facilitated over 5,500 days of free rentals from more than 240 owners in Bristol, primarily serving NHS staff, key workers, and charities like food banks. The company, which evolved from an earlier concept called Car & Away, has since secured millions of pounds in funding to support its expansion across various UK cities and transitioned to a paid model. Founder and CEO Andy Hibbert established the service, which officially launched in March 2020.
Karshare has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round.
Karshare has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Karshare was a UK-based peer-to-peer car-sharing platform that connected private car owners with local renters via a mobile app, positioning itself as an "Airbnb for cars."[1][2][3] It handled technology, insurance, breakdown cover, and keyless access, enabling owners to earn passive income (up to £550/month) while renters accessed affordable, nearby vehicles—addressing underutilized cars (unused 96% of the time) and promoting reduced car ownership for net-zero goals.[1][2][3][5] Launched amid the pandemic as a community service, it expanded to cities like Bristol, Manchester, London, and Coventry, completed over 20,000 journeys, grew to 30+ employees, and raised nearly £10m before closing in 2023 due to funding shortages.[1][3]
Karshare was founded in 2016 by Andy Hibbert, who pivoted from airport-based rentals (letting owners monetize cars while traveling) to city-focused peer-to-peer sharing.[1][2] The idea gained urgency during the 2020 pandemic: on March 16, Hibbert's team identified needs for key workers (e.g., NHS staff avoiding public transport), launching in Bristol just 10 days later as a COVID-response service for local transport like food bank deliveries.[2] Early traction came from contactless tech—facial recognition unlocking via app—expanding in September 2020 to broader community rentals, with a focus on greener cars and net-zero ambitions in cities like Bristol.[2][3]
Karshare rode the sharing economy wave in mobility, tapping underused private vehicles amid urbanization, air pollution concerns, and net-zero pushes—like Bristol's Green Capital status—where cars cause high NO2 levels and sit idle.[1][2][3] Timing aligned with pandemic-accelerated demand for contactless, local transport and post-COVID sustainability trends, proving appetite for app-driven P2P over fleet models (e.g., vs. centralized services).[1][2] It influenced UK ecosystems by pioneering EV community sharing, crowdfunding success (£1.4m+ from 676 investors), and £3m pre-Series A for expansion, though closure highlighted funding risks in capital-intensive mobility amid economic pressures.[1][3][4]
Karshare validated P2P car-sharing tech and demand in the UK but succumbed to post-pandemic funding droughts despite £10m raised and proven traction.[1] Its story underscores mobility's shift toward shared, electric, community fleets—trends amplified by net-zero mandates and urban density. While defunct since 2023, Karshare's model likely inspires successors in a maturing market, potentially evolving with AI-optimized matching or integrated micromobility, tying back to its core promise: unlocking idle cars for sustainable, profitable access.[1][2][3]
Karshare has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $4.0M Seed in August 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 1, 2021 | $4M Seed | — | 50 Partners, ALT Capital, Boldstart Ventures, Footwork, Insight Partners, Tectonic Capital, Y Combinator, Allison Pickens (Allison Pickens Ventures), BEN Porterfield, Justin Mateen, LIU Jiang, Scott Belsky, Sean RAD, Nigel Wray, Adjuvo, Fullbrook Thorpe Investments | Announced |
Karshare has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
Karshare's investors include 50 Partners, Alt Capital, Boldstart Ventures, Footwork, Insight Partners, Tectonic Capital, Y Combinator, Allison Pickens (Allison Pickens Ventures), Ben Porterfield, Justin Mateen, Liu Jiang, Scott Belsky.
