Skip

High-Level Overview

Skip is a San Francisco-based company that operated shared electric scooters designed for reliable last-mile transportation in urban areas. Their product combined sturdy, safety-focused scooters with a software-defined fleet management system and operational services including safety education and vehicle recharging. Skip served urban commuters and city residents seeking convenient, eco-friendly transportation options for short trips, addressing the problem of last-mile connectivity and urban congestion. The company showed growth momentum by securing significant funding rounds and obtaining permits to operate in major cities, including being one of the first permitted scooter-sharing systems in the U.S.[1][2][3][6]

Origin Story

Founded in December 2017 by Matt Tran, Mike Wadhera, and Sanjay Dastoor—who had prior experience co-founding Boosted Boards—Skip (initially named Waybots) emerged from the founders’ vision to create a higher-end, safer scooter-sharing alternative. The idea grew from their background in electric vehicle design and a desire to improve urban mobility. Early traction included launching a pilot program in Washington, D.C. in early 2018 and quickly raising $6M in seed funding followed by $25M in Series A. Skip’s approach emphasized working closely with city authorities and communities to ensure regulatory compliance and safety, which was pivotal in gaining operational permissions.[1][2][4]

Core Differentiators

• Product Differentiators: Skip’s scooters were built sturdier with larger batteries compared to competitors, focusing heavily on rider safety and reliability.
• Developer Experience: The company developed its scooter firmware entirely in-house, enabling tight integration between hardware and software.
• Safety and Education: Skip provided instructional classes and safety training for riders, setting it apart in community engagement.
• City Collaboration: Skip prioritized working with city transportation departments and community groups before launching, ensuring regulatory alignment.
• Fleet Management: Their software-defined fleet management system optimized operations, including safety monitoring and vehicle recharging.
• Support: They offered world-class rider support and operational services to maintain fleet health and user satisfaction.[1][2][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Skip rode the wave of the micromobility trend, which addresses urban transportation challenges such as congestion, pollution, and the need for efficient last-mile solutions. The timing was critical as cities worldwide sought sustainable, shared mobility options to reduce car dependency. Skip’s emphasis on safety, regulatory cooperation, and robust hardware positioned it as a responsible player influencing how scooter-sharing systems integrate with urban infrastructure. Their approach helped shape industry standards for scooter durability, safety education, and city partnerships, contributing to the maturation of the micromobility ecosystem.[2][3][6]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Although Skip was acquired by Helbiz in 2020 and later filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2021, its legacy in pushing for safer, city-aligned scooter-sharing models remains influential. Future trends shaping this space include tighter regulatory frameworks, advances in battery technology, and integration with broader urban mobility platforms. Companies inspired by Skip’s model may continue to innovate in fleet safety, operational efficiency, and community engagement to sustain growth. The last-mile transportation sector will likely evolve with more emphasis on sustainability and multimodal connectivity, areas where Skip’s foundational work has set important precedents.[1][6]

Skip’s story underscores the challenges and opportunities in scaling reliable, safe micromobility solutions within complex urban environments, highlighting the critical balance between innovation, regulation, and user experience.