The advantage of being small. The story of Qick.
September 18, 2020
min. read
“The company that provides the software and the company that uses the software are on the same boat. Both can move forward only with the same understanding,” says Milad Mahmoudyan. Last autumn he launched his e-scooter sharing business Qick in two mid-sized cities in Sweden. Milad recalls that he nearly missed the opportunity to be the first to enter the market due to an unsuccessful collaboration with another software provider, but then he found Atom Mobility.
Launch date: November 2019
Country: Sweden, four cities
App downloads: More than 100 000
App rating: 4.7/5
Fleet: few hundreds of Segway Max scooters and few hundreds of ACTON scooters
Web page: https://www.qickscooters.com
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/qick-scooters/id1480390337?l=fr
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=qickscooters.app&hl=en_US
When everything was nearly set up, problems with the trackers started to appear. “Luckily, we started to have issues before the launch – we could not integrate the hardware with the software. We had a setting in the configuration that caused a lot of headaches. It was not working as it should. We knew that we had competitors coming in, so we had to be the first in the city. With the help from Atom Mobility, we managed to launch before them,” explains Milad. “It took us three days of onboarding. We are probably still the fastest launch that Atom Mobility has had so far.”
A Strong Belief in Shared Mobility Drives the Business
Milad also has another business, but he always believed in shared mobility, so he decided to create the Qick platform: “Originally, we thought of establishing a cab company, but we knew that the electric scooter sharing service will eventually come to the city which would affect our business. It is just a better way of transportation than a standard taxi. So, we started to look at how we could be in front of this movement instead of being affected by it.”
Milad invested money from his existing business and took out a loan. He was not afraid as he considered it to be a safe investment. Milad says that among younger people the demand to have their own car or even use a cab is decreasing significantly. They require other means of transportation. They are looking for solutions that are super easy and fun. And now it is hard to find better transportation than the electric scooter. “Especially downtown, an electric scooter is faster and more fun to drive. Otherwise, people must drive a car, pay for parking, and sit in traffic jams. You can avoid all of that by using an electric scooter. People get this and are increasingly using scooters,” observes Milad.
Even during the pandemic, there was a proper demand for electric scooters in the city. Qick felt the decline in rides for the first two weeks after everything started to go into lockdown. They kept scooters outside as there were people that preferred to use them: “People always had disinfection liquids with them. We also paid special attention to the disinfection of handlebars. In a few weeks, everything proceeded as usual. Mainly because people saw e-scooters as a better option than riding on public transport,” concludes Milad.
The Advantage of Being Small
Quick is currently a team of six people operating in four mid-sized Swedish cities. They have one big competitor, but Milad says that sometimes being small is a competitive advantage: “The main difference between Qick and the big player in the market is that we are a local company here in the city. Big companies do not necessarily value day to day work. A small company like us puts a lot of effort into solving everyday issues. By that, I mean relocating and keeping track of electric scooters. We are constantly able to deploy at hotspots because we are familiar with the city. Also, Qick focuses a lot on customer support, service, and helping out when something is not working but it should.”
Milad’s advice for other electric scooter service providers who are willing to start their own businesses is to pay attention to the quality of vehicles. This is important as they should be able to serve long term. And customers appreciate the comfort and quality that reflects the service provider’s attitude towards them.
All Sharing Options on One Platform
What about expansion plans? Milad is willing to continue what he has started and even come back to the idea of cabs. The only difference is that he would like to exclusively work with electric vehicles in his fleet. Atom Mobility software will also allow him to integrate other means of transportation into an app, so in terms of the software, he will not require any additional investments.
“Another important aspect regarding Atom Mobility is their understanding of the business. If they help their partners grow, this will be also their opportunity to develop and grow. I saw this immediately after the first few minutes of talking to the company’s CEO Artur Burnins. They really value their customers and see potential in every cooperation. Atom Mobility is constantly working on new functions and features. We have not even mentioned that we need them, but they develop solutions. It is also good that we can ask them for additional functions and features that we would like to offer to our end users,” says Milad.
Together, Qick and Atom Mobility have built a strong business partnership. Both companies plan to continue expanding and developing their services by providing even more convenient ways in which people can enjoy shared mobility.
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Case study
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Driving change with Fair: How a small platform is redefining the taxi industry in Sweden
The story of the ride-hailing service Fair, which focuses on driver empowerment, begins with a series of driver-led protests in Sweden a few years ago. Fast forward to now, the company operates in several cities and hundreds of drivers.
January 2, 2025
min. read
The ride-hailing industry has revolutionized urban mobility, but not without its challenges. While consumers enjoy affordable rides and seamless booking experiences, drivers often shoulder the challenges of the trade-off. In Sweden, where the cost of living is high, many drivers working for major ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Bolt have faced increasingly difficult conditions, from lower earnings per trip to rigid and punitive policies. We got in touch with Samual Nygren, Co-Founder of Fair, to discuss how a driver-first ride-hailing platform has emerged as a beacon of change.
Launch date: June 2023
Country: Sweden
App downloads: More than 20 000
App rating: 4.9/5
Web page: https://fairtaxi.se
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/se/app/fair-taxi/id6450279161
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fair.app
The origins of Fair: A movement born from protests
Fair’s story begins with a series of driver-led protests in Sweden a few years ago. Disillusioned by shrinking incomes and unfair practices, drivers took to the streets of Stockholm, blocking traffic with their cars and holding up signs to demand change. Among them was a group seeking to create a nonprofit organization to advocate for better conditions. The founders of Fair became involved through a personal connection, seeing the drivers' struggles firsthand and recognizing an opportunity to support their cause.
Initially approached to help develop a website for the organization, Fair’s founders quickly saw an opportunity to go beyond advocacy and create something actionable: a competitive, driver-focused ride-hailing service. This marked the birth of Fair, a platform designed not just to offer rides but to redefine what fairness looks like in the gig economy.
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A fairer model: Drivers in the driver’s seat
At its core, Fair operates on the principle of empowerment. Unlike traditional platforms where drivers often feel like disposable assets, Fair positions drivers as majority stakeholders in the company. This means they have a say in how the platform operates and directly benefit from its success. Key features of Fair’s model include:
- Lower platform fees: By keeping fees as low as possible, Fair ensures drivers retain a larger share of their earnings.
- Generous terms: Unlike major platforms where declining too many ride requests can result in penalties or even bans, Fair’s policies are designed to accommodate the realities of drivers’ lives.
- Nonprofit principles: Fair’s nonprofit orientation underscores its commitment to prioritizing drivers over profits.
This model has resonated deeply with drivers in Stockholm, where Fair first launched. With the success of its pilot, the company is now expanding into smaller cities across Sweden, taking its mission of fairness to a broader audience.
Beyond rides: Advocating for labor rights
Fair’s mission extends beyond providing a ride-hailing service. It aims to shine a spotlight on the working conditions that gig economy workers face – not just in ride-hailing but also in food delivery and other sectors. Historically, Sweden has been a stronghold for labor rights and fair pay, but the gig economy’s precarious working conditions have exposed gaps in this framework.
By raising awareness and leading by example, Fair seeks to spark a broader conversation about fairness in the gig economy. Its success could pave the way for similar initiatives in other industries and countries.
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Partnering with ATOM Mobility: A platform built for change
Fair’s innovative approach is supported by its partnership with ATOM Mobility, a technology platform that powers mobility businesses around the globe. Through this collaboration, Fair has been able to focus on what matters most – supporting drivers and redefining fairness – while leveraging ATOM Mobility’s expertise to handle the technical complexities of running a ride-hailing service.
ATOM Mobility provides the infrastructure that allows Fair to offer seamless booking experiences for users and operational efficiency for drivers. This partnership ensures that Fair’s resources are directed toward growth and advocacy, rather than reinventing the wheel technologically. By working together, Fair and ATOM Mobility demonstrate how technology and purpose-driven businesses can create lasting impact in the gig economy.
Looking ahead: Building a fairer future
While Fair is still growing, its impact is already evident. By putting drivers first and demonstrating that fairness and profitability can coexist, Fair is challenging the status quo of the gig economy. The platform’s expansion into smaller cities and its growing driver community are testaments to the demand for a more equitable alternative.
As Fair continues to scale, it stands as a powerful example of how even small players can drive meaningful change. With its driver-first principles and commitment to fairness, Fair isn’t just a ride-hailing platform – it’s a movement.
Case study
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Making corporate travel cool again: the story of MOBEO
In big cities, employees often want to avoid traffic and parking hassles, preferring an easier way to commute. Luckily, there are people ready to take on the challenge. Meet MOBEO – an innovative Spanish company that is not only transforming how we get around but also making corporate travel more exciting.
August 13, 2024
min. read
In big cities, employees often want to avoid traffic and parking hassles, preferring an easier way to commute. Luckily, there are people ready to take on the challenge. Meet MOBEO – an innovative Spanish company that is not only transforming how we get around but also making corporate travel more exciting.
We caught up with Álvaro Ventura, CEO of MOBEO, to get the inside scoop on how his company is creating corporate fleets and shaking up the world of business travel with a help from Atom Mobility.
Launch date: November 2023
Country: Spain
Web page: https://mobeosharing.com
App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mobeoshare/id6469049276
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobeoshare.app&hl=en_AU
Fleet: bicycles (incl. conventional, hybrid, mountain, electric bikes), pedal karts, and bicycles
for people with reduced mobility.
From two wheels to many
With 12 years of experience in the tourism industry, the MOBEO team identified an opportunity to expand their business by leveraging resources from their existing projects. This vision led to the creation of MOBEOsharing.com, a platform designed to meet the growing demand for employee transportation services. Their ambitious goal? To become the leading provider of shared private fleets for European businesses within five years.
MOBEO’s journey began with a self-funded investment of 70,000 euros, which laid a strong foundation for their operations. However, the team quickly recognized that additional capital would be essential for rapid expansion. They are now actively seeking investments to accelerate their entry into the European market and to help achieve their bold vision.
What makes MOBEO special
MOBEO’s mission goes beyond simply providing vehicles; they aim to transform how companies approach transportation. MOBEO works closely with clients to run campaigns that encourage employees to adopt greener travel options instead of relying on cars. Their comprehensive services include digital awareness campaigns, personalized commuting routes, and team-building events focused on sustainable transportation.
As Ventura, a key figure in MOBEO, explains, “Some clients go all-in with our full package, while others might just want us to handle the wheels. It’s like a buffet—take what you need!”. This flexibility allows MOBEO to cater to companies of all sizes and budgets, making them a preferred choice for businesses looking to modernize their transportation strategies.
On the software side, MOBEO relies on ATOM Mobility's digital rental solution, which provides MOBEO users (employees of companies that MOBEO partners with) the opportunity to create an account in the MOBEO app, upload their employee ID card (allowing the MOBEO team to verify that the individual is indeed employed by the specific company), and, once verified, gain access and pre-book vehicles for upcoming rides. The MOBEO app also features a calendar function, enabling users to schedule future bookings as needed. At the end of the month, MOBEO bills partners based on the usage of vehicles by their employees. All vehicle monitoring, unlocking, and locking are automatically managed by the ATOM Mobility platform. It’s that simple.
Targeting clients
MOBEO is strategically expanding its presence by focusing on large companies with offices in major Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valencia, and Seville. These cities are particularly well-suited for introducing shared mobility solutions due to their large employee bases and the strong demand for sustainable transport options. On average, an employee takes a vehicle for 1-2 days and rides 10-40 km per booking.
Partnering with ATOM Mobility
In 2019, MOBEO began with a small software provider that met their initial needs but lacked the capacity for growth. Recognizing the need for a more robust solution, MOBEO partnered with ATOM Mobility—a decision that proved pivotal for scaling their operations.
ATOM Mobility, a leader in shared mobility software solutions, is known for its comprehensive platform and exceptional customer service. Their software empowers businesses like MOBEO to manage fleets efficiently, offer seamless user experiences, and scale operations smoothly. MOBEO frequently encountered positive feedback about ATOM Mobility during hardware discussions, prompting them to explore and eventually adopt ATOM Mobility's services.
This partnership has been instrumental in MOBEO’s success, providing them with the tools and support necessary to expand and innovate in the competitive European market.
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Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: Be ready!
For those looking to enter the shared mobility sector, Ventura offers sage advice: “This industry is going places, but it’s not a walk in the park. Good financial planning is key because regulatory changes are like a rollercoaster ride—you’ve got to hang on and adapt quickly.”
The future of success
MOBEO is setting new standards for corporate mobility, thanks to their innovative approach and strategic partnership with ATOM Mobility. Together, they are on track to revolutionize how businesses manage transportation in Spain.
As MOBEO continues to pioneer advancements in corporate mobility, their collaboration with ATOM Mobility remains a cornerstone of their success. With shared values and a commitment to innovation, MOBEO and ATOM Mobility are poised to lead the transformation of business transportation across Europe.
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
