Insights and news from the ATOM Mobility team

Starting a ride-hailing or shared mobility venture can seem overwhelming, but with a clear plan, it's possible to launch in just 90 days. This guide outlines a three-phase process: laying the foundation, building your product and team, and launching - plus tips for growth beyond day 90. By following this roadmap, you’ll validate your idea, ensure legal compliance, create your brand and technology, recruit drivers, and hit the market ready.

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Day 0–30: Foundation

Finding a niche

Start with market validation and legal setup. Research your target area to identify unmet transport needs. Maybe large providers don’t serve certain areas, or there’s demand for eco-friendly, or premium segment or niche services like women-only rides.

Looking to stand out in the competitive ride-hail market? Check out these two insightful reads:

- Finding a niche in the competitive ride-hail market: https://www.atommobility.com/blog/how-to-find-your-niche-in-the-competitive-ride-hail-market-real-world-examples-of-businesses-that-resonate

- Discover how a local taxi union in Sweden supports a new platform to reshape industry standards and build a fairer ecosystem: https://www.atommobility.com/blog/driving-change-with-fair-how-a-small-platform-is-redefining-the-taxi-industry-in-sweden

This should help you define your niche, unique positioning or angle, and ultimately your unique selling proposition to stand out from other players in the market.

Legal compliance

Next step will be forming your business (e.g., LLC) to protect liability and later attract investors. Apply for the necessary permits, such as TNC licenses, and consult local regulations. Insurance is essential – you’ll need commercial liability coverage that also includes drivers. Run background checks to ensure safety and compliance.

Legal compliance checklist:

Business registration
Ride-hailing or taxi permits
Driver background checks
Commercial insurance
Local regulation compliance (e.g., vehicle checks)

Budgeting for MVP launch

Outline core costs: software, licenses, insurance, marketing, driver incentives, customer support, accounting services, and some reserve. Use a white-label software like ATOM Mobility to avoid costly custom builds. These platforms offer rider/driver apps and backend systems for a fraction of development costs.

Plan an initial marketing budget (e.g., €1,000–€5,000) and allocate driver sign-up bonuses (€100 for 20 rides, for example). Include small expenses like Apple developer accounts or a place in co-working to work from. Keep costs lean and prepare a detailed budget for the first 6-12 months.

Financing: Bootstrapping vs. investors

Once you have a 6-12 month budget prepared, you can choose between personal funding, angel investors, or crowdfunding. Bootstrapping (using your personal capital) offers control but limits scale. Local group of angel investors can contribute €50k–€500k in total and extra mentorship. Crowdfunding helps raise funds while building a local supporter base. For example, you can engage drivers to invest via crowdfunding in exchange for a small equity share in your company and free usage of the platform for a certain period.

Here’s a helpful resource on using crowdfunding to kickstart your venture and get inspired: https://www.atommobility.com/blog/crowdfunding-for-your-vehicle-sharing-business

If your budget analysis shows you need external funding, try at least to launch a small-scale, working prototype with personal funds or an FFF (friends, family, and fools funding) round before entering the investment process. Demonstrating even modest traction significantly boosts your chances of a successful raise.

Please note that securing your first round of funding - whether from crowdfunding or business angels - typically takes six or more months. To keep momentum going, launch an initial version of your product or service, then start the fundraising process.

Day 30–60: Build & integrate

Software

Choosing the right software partner can make or break your new ride-hail venture. From cost efficiency and faster time-to-market to reliability and specialized industry knowledge, the benefits of a white-label solution often outweigh the complexities and expense of building from scratch. Be sure to evaluate each provider’s platform features - rider and driver apps, dispatch system, and payment tools—alongside their proven track record of scaling and entering different markets. Confirm their customization capabilities, pricing transparency, and ability to expand into new service zones as your business grows. Ultimately, opt for a partner that delivers both the technology and the strategic support you need. For more insights on this decision-making process, explore white-label solutions vs. building from scratch and discover Why ATOM for a deeper dive into selecting the right tech partner.

Create a clear branding identity

Start by selecting a memorable name that reflects both your niche and city - AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can speed up brainstorming. Next, design a simple logo and choose core colors using user-friendly platforms such as Canva or Looka. Consistency is key, so use these design elements across your website and social channels.

When it’s time to launch your online presence, opt for no-code platforms like Squarespace, or Carrd to create a minimal landing page in minutes -no developers needed. Clearly present your core message (e.g., “Premium, all-black Mercedes rides in [City].”), include links to your rider/driver apps, and offer driver sign-up form. This straightforward approach helps potential users and drivers quickly understand and trust your brand.

Driver onboarding (first 50 drivers)

Your service can’t run without drivers, so make their onboarding experience as smooth and appealing as possible. Start by defining tangible benefits - like 0% commissions for the first three months, niche perks, or local partnerships—that set you apart. Reach out via social media, online communities, and direct messaging to recruit your initial loyal driver base. Host webinars or info sessions to keep them engaged and address any concerns.

Keep in mind, your first drivers are crucial for user satisfaction: they are the face of your service and heavily influence each ride’s quality. Consider providing branded merchandise and clear guidelines—such as offering free candies or bottled water, opening doors, or any other gesture aligned with your unique selling proposition (USP).

To streamline onboarding, create a simple website form for sign-ups, ensure fast document verification, run background checks, and offer concise training modules. Incentives like sign-up bonuses or a zero-commission period can help you recruit your first group of drivers quickly. You might also guarantee initial earnings (covering fixed fees from your budget) to build driver trust while you grow your user base.

Goal: By day 60, aim to have at least 50 drivers signed up and ready to serve your launch zone, setting a solid foundation for your platform’s success.

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Day 60–90: Test & launch

Closed beta testing

Before a full launch, invite a small group of friends, family, or early supporters to test your app and simulate real-world scenarios. Focus on the essentials: ride requests, payment processing, GPS accuracy, and cancellation flows -ideally at various times of day and on different devices. Take a few actual rides with real drivers to see how they follow outlined procedures and interact with riders. Gather feedback to uncover any usability issues or unexpected driver behaviors.

During this phase, refine your internal processes as well. Decide how you’ll handle customer inquiries - whether via a dedicated help email, chat support, or both - and respond promptly to build trust. If you have a team, ensure everyone is on the same page about responsibilities, communication guidelines, and how to address rider or driver concerns. This targeted approach helps you iron out potential issues, polish the user experience, and establish robust support protocols before going public.

Public launch

Decide whether to roll out quietly (a soft launch) to iron out any last-minute bugs or make a big announcement with a press release. If you choose the latter, pitch your story to local media outlets, emphasizing your community-first approach to mobility. Launch promotions - like 50% off first rides or a €5 sign-up credit - are a great way to attract early adopters and generate buzz.

Make sure your driver pool is ready to handle demand by coordinating schedules and availability. Consider offline tactics, too: distributing flyers in high-traffic areas, setting up campus booths, or sponsoring community events can help you gain local exposure. Once you’re live, keep a close eye on rider feedback (e.g., ride ratings, app store reviews) and address issues swiftly to maintain a positive user experience.

Marketing & growth to 1,000 rides

Partner with local influencers to promote your app, offering free rides or small payments in exchange for authentic social media posts. Focus on influencers your target audience trusts. Implement app referral programs - reward users and their friends with ride credits to spark word-of-mouth growth.

Keep engagement high by sharing milestones and user success stories online. Show up at local events, offering exclusive promo codes to attract new riders. Begin with small-scale digital advertising, reinvesting as you generate revenue and learn which channels work best. Track core metrics like sign-ups, ride volume, and wait times so you can make data-driven decisions and refine your strategy in real time.

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Post 90 days: Scaling

Customer support & operations
As your platform grows, consider outsourcing or automating aspects of customer support. Create a help center or FAQ to guide users to quick solutions, and keep daily operations under close watch so you can resolve any issues swiftly. To remain efficient, hire part-time help (e.g., marketers or fleet managers) who can handle specialized tasks without inflating your overhead.

Fundraising
With initial traction in place, you’re in a strong position to secure additional funding. Present clear data on ride volume, user retention, and revenue growth to potential angel investors or crowdfunding platforms. Government grants may also be available for sustainable transport initiatives, so explore those opportunities. Be specific about how the funds will be used - for instance, "We need €100 000 to expand into two new cities and reach 10,000 rides per month."

The 90-day timeline
Although launching a ride-hail platform in 90 days is ambitious, a focused strategy and lean tooling can make it possible. Stay agile, keep service quality at the forefront, and set tangible milestones for each stage. With strong local insights and consistent execution, you can carve out a lasting presence in the mobility space.

Growth & expansion
Before moving into new cities, solidify your position in your initial market. Continue recruiting drivers and reaching fresh rider segments through targeted partnerships and loyalty programs. If you decide to scale further, use your 90-day playbook again—tweaking it for each new region’s unique challenges and opportunities. Good luck!

Hardware overview for shared micro-mobility (2/3): IoT & GPS devices, connectivity

At ATOM Mobility, we know there is a lot to consider when starting a mobility company. To help make the process easier, we’ve put together a breakdown of some most frequently recommended manufacturers of IoT, GPS and connectivity on the market that are currently integrated with ATOM Mobility. Contact us in case you need a guidance or more information.

May 2, 2020

To remotely control and monitor kick scooter, e-bike, moped, car or any other vehicle you will need to install so called IoT device which allows to remotely send commands to the vehicle and execute them, as well as monitor real-time location and track possible errors. What IoT & GPS devices are the in the market?

Teltonika

Teltonika is used by the largest shared mobility operators in the world. The company has sold more than 10 million IoT devices during their 10+ years on the market and has more than 500 employees. IoT devices by Teltonika can be used for kick scooters, scooters/mopeds, e-bikes, cars, trucks and even forklifts. The list of supported vehicles is very long. Some examples:

EMB100

Teltonika EMB100 is an e-bike IoT with GNSS, GSM and Bluetooth connectivity. Integrated ECU data reading will expand your capabilities even more.

E-Scooter Tracker

Teltonika E-SCOOTER TRACKERPLUS is a small, professional and waterproof tracker for a variety of electric scooters. The device has internal high gain GNSS/GSM antennas, Bluetooth and high capacity internal Li-ion battery and 10-97 V power supply range for integration variety.

TST100 by Teltonika

TST100

Teltonika TST100 is a kick e-scooter tracking device with integrated GNSS, GSM and Bluetooth connectivity, designed for sharing applications. TST100 enables the possibility to read information from kick e-scooters ECU and control them remotely.

FMB130

FMB130 is tracker with internal GNSS, GSM antennas, configurable digital/analogue inputs/negative input/impulse inputs, three DOUT outputs, Bluetooth connectivity and backup battery.

Suitable for: kick scooters, scooters, mopeds (both gasoline and electric), e-bikes, cars, trucks and more.

Price: 60 USD - 120 USD / 50 € - 120 € depending on model and quantity. No monthly fees.

Omni

Company based in China and provides IoT devices mostly for kick scooters and bikes. It is widely used by vehicle manufacturers that use Omni IoT as a default built in option (like Segway, Acton and many others).

Suitable for: kick scooters, bikes and e-bikes.

Price: 45 USD- 85 USD / 40 € - 80 € per piece depending on model and quantity. In some cases manufacturers that use Omni IoT by default may charge some monthly fee for connectivity.

Comodule

Comodule is rapidly growing startup headquartered in Tallinn (Estonia), with business development offices in Berlin (Germany) and Taipei (Taiwan). They worked with many large companies including Jump and Bolt. Comodule provides both IoT device and cloud server with API. This is why they have additional monthly fees.

Suitable for: kick scooters and e-bikes.

Price: 80 USD - 150 USD / 80 € - 130 € depending on quantity + monthly fees.

Lightbug

We decided to add to the list also Lighbug device that is actually not an IoT device (not connected to the vehicle), but can be used in some cases just to monitor real-time location and trigger alarm sound if needed. Lightbug’s remote GPS solutions can be used in cases if you do not want to integrate to the vehicle. Model has battery that lasts 30-60 days if send location data every minute and up to 10-15 years if update regularity is lower. Great result! You can attach GPS basically everywhere, not only on a vehicle.

Lightbug Pro is industrial grade tracker, designed to have a battery life of up to 15 years

Suitable for: real-time location tracking of any asset or person

Price: 95 USD - 115 USD / 89.90 € - 104.00 €

Connectivity and data

Each IOT device will require a SIM card that has data capability in order to send and receive commands. While some manufacturers offer IoT devices together with SIM cards and data, other give you more flexibility to choose from. Data usage varies depending on IoT device you use and configurations, but in general every SIM card will consume around 5-30 MB/month. Local SIM card providers can offer you a price estimation which should be around 0,5 - 2 EUR/month per SIM card. Some global connectivity providers that focus on shared mobility market:

Twilio

Straightforward pay-as-you-go pricing in 180+ countries. In average around 2 USD/month per SIM card + data.

1ot

1oT has great coverage all over the world and flexible pricing without monthly fees (you pay only for data usage).

1nce

The 1NCE IoT Flat Rate is an all-inclusive price model for IoT connectivity. It is a pre-paid offering to connect IoT devices for up to 10 years at a price of 10 EUR, including all necessary features such as data allowance, SIM card cost, APN, OpenVPN and SMS (250 sms). For 10 EUR you will get sim card with 500 MB (most probably will be enough for 1,5 - 2 years). If you are ready to pay upfront 10 EUR/sim this is the best offer available.

Truphone

Truphone is another great alternative to take a look at. For 12 EUR per SIM you will get 250 MB to use within 3 years.

This is the second part of hardware overview. In next blog post we will cover list of popular smart locks. Contact ATOM Mobility for any additional questions or inquiries you may have about available products and suppliers.

ATOM Mobility - We empower entrepreneurs to launch vehicle sharing platforms.

Hardware overview for shared micro-mobility (1/3): scooters, e-bikes and mopeds

At ATOM Mobility, we know there is a lot to consider when starting a mobility company. To help make the process easier, we’ve put together a breakdown of some most frequently recommended manufacturers and vehicle models on the market that are currently integrated with ATOM Mobility. Contact us in case you need a guidance or more information.

April 12, 2020

At ATOM Mobility, we know there is a lot to consider when starting a mobility company. To help make the process easier, we’ve put together a breakdown of some most frequently recommended manufacturers and vehicle models on the market that are currently integrated with ATOM Mobility. Contact us in case you need a guidance or more information.

What are the most reliable vehicles that are available right now on the market?

Scooters

Acton

Acton specializes in electronic scooters specifically designed for fleet operations. The company currently offers two different e-scooter models, as well as one e-bike model.

The Acton M Pro robust design includes industry-leading strength ratings, heavy duty welds, and proprietary aluminum extrusions.

Top speed: 18.6 MPH / 30.9 KMPH

Range: 30 miles / 48 km

Charge: 6 hours

Price: Contact us or ACTON directly

The Acton Topswap is e-scooter designed to include a patented battery swap system (on the same Acton M Pro model basis)

Top speed: 18.6 MPH / 30.9 KMPH

Range: 30 miles / 48 km

Charge: 6 hours

Price: Contact us or ACTON directly

FitRider

Located in Hangzhou of China. Fitrider is an innovative high-tech company with variety of products: escooters, ebikes, swappable battery solutions, IoT/GPS, smart locks and docking/charging stations.

FitRider Scooter T2S with swappable battery design, 10’inch wheels, solid tyres and drum/disc brakes.

Top speed: 15.5MPH / 25 KMPH

Range: 20 miles / 35 km

Charge: 4-5 hours

Price: Contact us

Freego

Freego is the largest manufacturer and the first exporter of self balancing scooters from South China.

Top speed: 15.5MPH / 25 KMPH

Range: 30 miles / 48 km

Charge: 3-5 hours

Price: 600 USD / 556 EUR

Okai

Zhejiang Okai Vehicle Co., Ltd. produces professional high quality scooters, both electric and gasoline. Scooters of this company is widely used by largest scooter sharing companies in Europe.

The ES400 model is specifically designed for highly efficient sharing platforms. Swappable battery, very durable and fully hidden cables.

Top speed: 18.6 MPH / 29.9 KMPH

Range: 16Ah = approx. 32 miles / 51.5 km, 9.6Ah = approx. 24 miles / 39 km

Charge: 3-4 hours

Price: ES400 - 700 USD / 650 EUR, ES200 (non swappable battery) - 595 USD / 550 EUR

Segway

Segway Inc. is the worldwide leader in personal electric transportation. Almost all major sharing companies using or used scooter manufactured by Segway.

The Segway Ninebot ES4 model was the first model widely used for sharing. It comes with a dual-battery offering and solid design. However, the durability of this model is low comparing to other vehicles in this review.

Top speed: 18.6 MPH / 29.9 KMPH

Range: 28 miles / 45 km

Charge: 6-7 hours

Price: 300-400 USD / 250-350 EUR

The 10-inch pneumatic tires on the Kickscooter MAX can climb slopes that have a 20% incline. Special cable protection. Durable model with option to upgrade to PRO with swappable battery function.

Top speed: 18.6 MPH / 29.9 KMPH

Range: Approx. 23 miles / 37 km

Charge: 6-7 hours

Price: 480 - 580 USD / 440 - 540 EUR

Superpedestrian

Superpedestrian offers the first micro mobility platform built on intelligent electric vehicles and cloud tools.

The Superdestrian model by US based mobility company of the same name offers a 12+ months vehicle lifetime, real-time safety checks, active protection systems and a robust design offering.

Top speed: 15.5 MPH / 25 KMPH

Range: 56 miles / 90 km

Charge: 7 hours

Price: -

Electric Bikes / Mopeds

Acton Nexus E-Bike

Designed specifically for shared fleet services, this electronic bike model will launch in spring 2020 with fully integrated IoT.

Top speed: 21.75 MPH / 35 KMPH

Range: 35 miles / 56 km

Charge: 6 hours

Price: Contact us or ACTON directly

Niu

NIU delivers electric vehicle in the two-wheel class powered by a Bosch Electric Motor and Panasonic Lithium Battery.

Designed specifically for shared fleet services, this electronic bike model will launch in spring 2020 with fully integrated IoT.

Top speed: 28 MPH / 45 KMPH

Range: 35-45 miles / 50-70 km

Charge: 6 hours

Price: 2593 USD / 2400 EUR

Gonbike

The Gonbike Pab model is a fully integrated e-bike, with native IoT integration and high battery capacity up to 49.7 m / 80 km.

Top speed: 15.5 MPH / 25 KMPH

Range: 50 miles / 80 km

Charge: 6 hours

Price: 995 USD / 930 EUR

FitRider M2 ebike

Swappable battery design, 14 or 16 ’inch wheels, strong frame, drum brake and build-in IoT/GPS.

Top speed: 15.5 MPH / 25 KMPH

Range: 45 miles / 70 km

Charge: 3-5 hours

Price: Contact us

This is the first part of hardware overview. In next blog post we will cover IoT/GPS devices and then smart locks. Contact ATOM Mobility for any additional questions or inquiries you may have about available products and suppliers.

ATOM Mobility - We empower entrepreneurs to launch vehicle sharing platforms.

How profitable is scooter sharing business?

The mobile sharing industry is projected to grow at a rapid rate over the next several years. The economic shift towards micro mobility has shown that bike and scooter use is going to grow from USD $2.5 billion in 2019 to USD $10.1 billion by 2027. With an increasing demand for affordable mobility services, industry leaders are making adjustments to their financial models to accommodate changing regulations, as well as, growing production costs.

March 7, 2020

We put together a breakdown of the expenses that are currently going in to establishing a profitable MaaS company along with some other considerations to keep in mind.

What are the current pricing levels for leaders in Scooter and Bike Sharing?

The pricing levels for different services being offered around the world vary based upon initial upfront costs, cost per allotted time and total ride duration. These prices are also subject to change depending on the regulatory requirements of each location.

Scooter sharing:

Bike sharing:

At ATOM Mobility we have a specific calculation to determine the total income a scooter or bike sharing service makes based on ride time and pricing fees. This allows adjustments to be made for the different price levels each company offers.

Income Equation: (Unlock Fee + (Average Ride Time X Minutes)) = x

x = Average Price per Ride

How does vehicle ridership impact the financial model?

Ridership is impacted by a multitude of factors, including availability to travel lanes, density of charging/docking stations, level of integration within the overall transportation network, along with the extent of rider outreach and vendor education. Vehicle use rates tend to increase based on volume of available scooters/bikes and ease of access to stations. The systems with larger fleets, as well as wider spread sharing infrastructure tend to experience higher ridership.

According to research conducted by the National Association of City Transportation Officials, scooters are making up to two times more rides per vehicle per day compared to bikes. Bike services complete anywhere from 0.5 to 2.5 rides per day at an average of 1, with trends showing a shift away from traditional pedal bicycles as the interest in e-vehicles continues to grow.

Image source: nacto.org

The region where services are being offered can also influence ridership. Across our partners at ATOM Mobility for scooters, we are seeing from 1.8 to even 5 rides per vehicle per day, with even higher rates in colder regions where the proper infrastructure is in place.

Image source: City of Chicago, E-scooter Pilot Evaluation 

An evaluation of the City of Chicago’s E-scooter pilot program found that over time the number of trips per day decreased from an average of 3.7 to 2.5. This aligns with the seasonality of mobility vehicles, which has been proven to impact ridership. Our research found that there can be decreases between 30 to 50 percent during the off-season.

The average rides per day you can count on for bike sharing services is 0.5 to 2.5, and 1.8 to 5 for scooter sharing services.

What additional factors need to be taken into consideration?

Once we have determined how many rides are being taken and the average price, we can calculate the average income per vehicle per month and outline cost positions. To begin growing revenue, mobility companies need to determine ways to extend the lifespan of their vehicles or off-set the costs once the limit is met. These factors are a major component in developing a successful financial model. In addition, it’s important to review the other expenses that impact vehicle maintenance and usage when constructing an accurate forecast.

Seasonality

Seasonality refers to the time of year a service operates as a result of environmental or weather factors. For mobility services, the usage season usually begins when the average temperature in a month is +10 Celsius or more.

Rides Per Vehicle Per Day

The number of rides each vehicle is taking in a day will impact both revenue but also maintenance and lifespan costs.

Rides

The rate for each ride will need to be considered when developing an overall financial plan for a company.

Maintenance Costs (ex. 13 percent of cost per ride)

Maintenance of the vehicle fleets is required and may vary depending on usage, as well as vehicle model.

Charging Costs (ex. 21 percent of cost per ride)

Whether the fleet uses docking stations or offers free floating services, the cost of charging the vehicles is necessary for continued use.

Bank Commission (ex. 3 percent cost per ride)

This includes any of the banking fees that are acquired.

Marketing (ex. 4 percent cost per ride)

Promoting the services being offered is an essential expense for business growth and expansion within the market.

Customer Support (ex. 5 percent cost per ride)

Most mobility services are offered through mobile apps that require regular support from customer service representatives to resolve customer inquiries and help with reputation management for the company.

IT System Support (ex. 5 percent cost per ride)

These services include IoT systems, sim cards, data, software and other technological requirements needed for the vehicles to operate.

Additional Costs (ex. 3 percent cost per ride)

Mobility companies like any other vehicle service are subject to additional costs such as insurance, city permits and/or other resources.

Our Excel-based Model

To help determine the overall impact of fluctuating costs for scooter and bike services, we developed a financial model that breaks down costs based on a percentage. Through this Excel-based Model we are able to maintain a proportionate evaluation of the expenses for each service.

source: ATOM Mobility

To make calculations we assume an average ride time of 20 minutes then apply that to our Excel-based Model. Costs are shown as a percent from the ride price. Since cost and prices differ country by country, this model allows for the proportions to remain the same. For accurate forecast planning, we recommend using the average of two to four rides per vehicle per day on a period of wholesale. To learn more about our model, please email us.

Where do we go from here?

Mobility as a service is expected to continue growing as additional opportunities for expansion and profitability open in the market. At ATOM Mobility, we want to help your business thrive in the exciting new world of transportation services. There has not been a better time to join other industry leaders than right now. Reach out to us today so we can start building for the future, starting with our scooter sharing software.

Differences in car, bike and scooter sharing business models

The mobility industry is growing at a rapid rate, with innovations happening across cars, bikes and scooter sharing alike. This article explores the most recent advancements in the market and how industry leaders are finding new ways to compete. Learn about the different models for Mobility as a Service and what it means for the future of transportation.

February 25, 2020