Via Buys Remix: Mapping Startup Acquired for $100 Million

Remix Acquisition by Via: Expanding Transportation Solutions

Remix, the company specializing in mapping software for urban transportation planning and street design, originated from a hackathon during a Code for America fellowship. After almost seven years, this San Francisco-based startup is now being acquired by Via for a combined $100 million in cash and equity.

Maintaining Independence

Following the acquisition, Remix will operate as a subsidiary of Via, retaining its distinct brand identity. Crucially, all 65 Remix employees, including co-founders CEO Tiffany Chu and CTO Dan Getelman, will continue their roles within the organization.

Expanding Via’s Reach

This acquisition significantly broadens Via’s service offerings and expands its client network. Via will gain access to Remix’s existing customer base of over 350 local governments spanning 22 nations.

Synergies in Expertise

Remix excels in the area of transportation planning, while Via possesses considerable expertise in software development and operational management, as stated by Chu in a recent discussion.

“The combination of these complementary strengths will enable a more comprehensive, end-to-end solution – from the initial conceptualization of transportation plans to their practical implementation – a feat neither company could readily accomplish independently,” Chu explained.

Image Credits: Remix

Via’s Evolution

Via initially launched in 2012 as a provider of on-demand shuttle services. The company achieved a valuation of $2.25 billion last year after securing $400 million in Series E funding, demonstrating substantial growth.

Today, Via’s primary focus has shifted to its software and operations platform. This platform empowers cities and transportation agencies to efficiently plan, schedule, and manage various transit options, including on-demand services, fixed routes, paratransit, and school buses.

Global Partnerships

Via currently collaborates with 200 partners across 24 countries, solidifying its position as a key player in the transportation technology sector.

Investment Backing

Via’s financial strength is supported by a diverse group of investors, including:

• Exor (the Agnelli family holding company with stakes in PartnerRe, Ferrari, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
• Macquarie Capital
• Mori Building
• Shell 83North
• Broadscale Group
• Ervington Investments
• Hearst Ventures
• Planven Ventures
• Pitango
• RiverPark Ventures

The Serendipitous Beginnings of Remix

The story of Remix’s emergence mirrors many a Silicon Valley startup, yet its roots lie with a somewhat unconventional group of founders.

Chu’s background was in user experience design, honed during her time at Zipcar. A subsequent move to San Francisco led to a year-long fellowship with Code for America.

During this fellowship, Chu, alongside future co-founders Getelman, Sam Hashemi, and Danny Whalen, embarked on a hackathon project. Their aim was to facilitate San Francisco residents in proposing improved public transit routes to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

The resulting transportation planning tool was disseminated via Twitter and rapidly gained traction. Within a fortnight, a remarkable 30,000 maps were generated by users.

“The project evolved into an unexpectedly popular online platform for citizen-led transportation planning,” Chu noted. However, public interest wasn’t the sole response.

Approximately 200 urban planners contacted the team, requesting the addition of functionalities tailored for use by agencies in their own transportation planning endeavors.

“This realization – that a project intended as a grassroots civic initiative could address genuine needs and challenges within the transportation sector – was truly eye-opening,” Chu explained.

Following this insight, Remix was officially established. The founding team then successfully applied to, and were admitted into, the Y Combinator program.

The company subsequently secured $27 million in funding through investments originating from Y Combinator, Sequoia, and Energy Impact Partners.