Indian vehicle-rental startups focused on urban transportation needs are getting funding by US venture capitalists. With one of the world’s lowest car-ownership rates–18 out of 1,000 people, according to the World Bank — India has a large pent-up demand for vehicles.
Sequoia Capital has invested $8 million in Zoomcar, an Indian vehicle-rental startup, along with Empire Angels, FundersClub, Basset Investment Group, and funds advised by Triangle Growth Partners, who have increased their stake in the company. Zoomcar counts Larry Summers, the former U.S. Treasury Secretary, as well as Professor Ed George, chairman of the Statistics Department at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, as its early investors. It had previously raised about $3 million. The Bangalore-based firm says it has grown to 250 cars at more than 40 locations, from seven cars when it launched. The company says it plans to use the funds to expand operations to other cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Goa.
San-Francisco-based Uber Technologies Inc., which counts Google Ventures and Goldman Sachs among its investors, has made a big bet on India since launching there in September 2013, operating in 10 Indian cities, more than in any country except the United States.
SoftBank Corp. this week said it will invest $210 million into ANI Technologies Pvt. Ltd.’s Ola Cabs, which operates a digital taxi-hailing service in 19 Indian cities, and competes with Uber Technologies.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
