# Skurt: On-Demand Car Rental Technology
Skurt is an on-demand car rental service that delivers vehicles directly to customers' locations, disrupting the traditional car rental industry through a mobile-first approach[1]. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Culver City, California, the company operates a technology platform that connects customers with rental vehicles at competitive rates ($21 per day for a midsized sedan) while eliminating traditional friction points like deposits and underage fees[1].
The company addresses a fundamental shift in consumer behavior: the declining desire for car ownership in favor of on-demand access to vehicles[1]. By combining logistics, technology, and strategic partnerships with existing fleet operators, Skurt positions itself at the intersection of the sharing economy and automotive mobility[4]. The platform operates across multiple markets including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Miami, with plans for nationwide expansion[1].
Skurt was founded by Harry Hurst and two co-founders who identified an opportunity to modernize the "archaic, consolidated" car rental process[3]. Hurst emphasized that the company's success stemmed from a strong founding team with shared passion and execution capability rather than the idea alone[3].
The startup gained significant traction early on, closing a $10 million Series A funding round led by Upfront Ventures and supported by notable investors including Cross Culture Ventures, Expansion VC, Greycroft, Magic Johnson (shortly after his appointment as President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers), and BMW as a strategic investor[1]. This high-profile backing validated the business model and provided capital for geographic expansion[1].
The company's trajectory ultimately led to its acquisition by Fair.com in February 2018, marking a significant exit for the early-stage mobility venture[2].
Skurt emerged during a pivotal moment in the sharing economy and mobility sector, riding the wave of consumer preference for access over ownership[1]. The company exemplified how technology could disintermediate traditional industries—in this case, the consolidated car rental market dominated by legacy players like Hertz and Avis[2].
The timing was critical: as ride-sharing platforms (Uber, Lyft) gained dominance, the logical next step was enabling customers to rent vehicles directly for longer periods without the commitment of ownership[1]. Skurt's model influenced how the broader automotive and mobility sectors thought about customer experience, demonstrating that convenience and technology could reshape consumer expectations around vehicle access.
The company's acquisition by Fair.com—a platform focused on alternative car ownership and financing—suggests that the underlying thesis about changing consumer preferences proved durable, even if Skurt's independent path was shortened.
Skurt's journey reflects both the promise and challenges of disrupting entrenched industries. While the company was acquired rather than scaling to national dominance independently, its core insight—that customers value convenience and flexibility over traditional rental models—has proven prescient. The broader mobility ecosystem continues to evolve toward on-demand, technology-enabled access, with companies like Turo and Getaround validating the peer-to-peer rental model[2].
The integration into Fair.com suggests that the future of vehicle access likely combines multiple models: ownership alternatives, subscription services, and on-demand rental, all powered by technology platforms that prioritize user experience and eliminate legacy friction points.
Skurt has raised $11.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Skurt's investors include Cross Culture Ventures, CRV, Future Shape, Greycroft, Highbury Group, LDR Ventures, MaC Venture Capital, Scout Ventures, Silverton Partners, Tiger Global Management, Trust Ventures, Tusk Venture Partners.
Skurt has raised $11.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series A in February 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2017 | $10.0M Series A | Cross Culture Ventures, CRV, Future Shape, Greycroft, Highbury Group, LDR Ventures, MaC Venture Capital, Scout Ventures, Silverton Partners, Tiger Global Management, Trust Ventures, Tusk Venture Partners, Upfront Ventures, Clark Landry, John Legend, Kyle Widrick, Scott Belsky | |
| Oct 1, 2015 | $1.0M Seed | Accenture, CRV, First Round Capital, Future Shape, Highbury Group, Kain Capital, Quiet Capital, Silverton Partners, Tiger Global Management, Tusk Venture Partners, Upfront Ventures, Webb Investment Network, Winklevoss Capital, Dan Ciporin, Roger Ehrenberg, Todd Corenson |
