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Uber in deal with Shadowfax to integrate two-wheeler fleet

Economic TimesEconomic Times · 9m ago
Uber in deal with Shadowfax to integrate two-wheeler fleet
Medial

- Uber has partnered with hyperlocal logistics provider Shadowfax. - Shadowfax's two-wheeler fleet will be integrated with Uber's UberMoto bike-taxi service. - Two-wheeler riders working with Shadowfax can switch to UberMoto during lean hours to offer bike-taxi services. - This partnership allows Uber to strengthen its bike-taxi operations and expand to towns where Shadowfax operates. - Uber plans to create third-party integrations with existing two-wheeler service providers to double its supply pool. - This is part of Uber's strategy to become the operating system for multiple form factors. - Shadowfax aims to diversify offerings to its two-wheeler driver partners and become the most diversified third-party logistics player in India. - When riders request UberMoto, they may be matched with Shadowfax drivers, but the rider experience will remain unchanged. - There is a revenue-sharing arrangement between Uber and Shadowfax for rides booked on UberMoto serviced by Shadowfax drivers.

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Shadowfax posts Rs 1,885 Cr revenue in FY24, turns EBITDA profitable

EntrackrEntrackr · 7m ago
Shadowfax posts Rs 1,885 Cr revenue in FY24, turns EBITDA profitable
Medial

Shadowfax, one of India's leading new-age logistics and delivery platforms, delivered a strong financial performance in FY24, reducing its losses by 90%. Simultaneously, the company recorded over 33% year-on-year growth in operating revenue, and turned EBITDA positive with Rs 23 crore for the fiscal year ending March 2024. The Flipkart-backed firm’s revenue from operations spiked to Rs 1,884.8 crore in the last fiscal year, from Rs 1,415 crore in FY23, as per its annual financial statements filed with the Registrar of Companies. Shadowfax claims to provide 3PL logistics (third party logistics) to e-commerce and D2C firms across 2,500 cities and 18,000 pin codes in the country. The sale of logistics and delivery services are the only source of revenue for Shadowfax. Co-founder and chief executive Abhishek Bansal attributed the company’s sustainable growth in FY24 to its focus on value-added services, including reverse logistics, same-day delivery, and quick commerce offered through its Flash service. “While most logistics companies have chosen to focus on a single service and transition into B2B, Shadowfax has remained in the B2C space. Quick commerce gives us an edge, as we are the only 3PL offering these services,” said Abhishek Bansal, co-founder and CEO of Shadowfax, in a telephonic conversation with Entrackr. The company also generated Rs 11.6 crore from non-operating activities, contributing to a total income of Rs 1,896.4 crore in FY24. On the expense side, transportation and distribution (delivery partners) expenses accounted for the bulk of costs, surging 24.7% to Rs 966.2 crore in FY24. This cost represents 50.63% of total expenses during the last fiscal year. Vehicle running costs increased by 35.8% to Rs 394.5 crore, while costs related to lost shipments rose by 39.7% to Rs 94.6 crore. Employee benefit expenses marginally declined to Rs 211.5 crore, constituting 11.08% of total expenses, whereas other costs added another Rs 241.5 crore. Overall, the Bengaluru-based firm’s total expenses rose by 21.9% to Rs 1,908.3 crore in FY24. By the end of FY24, the company's net loss declined by 92% to Rs 11.8 crore, compared to Rs 142.6 crore in FY23. Shadowfax also achieved a positive EBITDA of Rs 23 crore in the last fiscal. Its ROCE and EBITDA margin stood at -1.06% and 1.21%, respectively. On a unit basis, Shadowfax spent Rs 1.01 to earn a rupee of operating income in the last fiscal year. The company’s assets nearly doubled, rising to Rs 619.5 crore in FY24 from Rs 320.8 crore in FY23. Its cash and bank balance at the end of FY24 stood at Rs 102.8 crore. Just before FY24 ended, Shadowfax scooped up $100 million Series E round led by TPG NewQuest. Recently, Uber has partnered with Shadowfax to integrate its two-wheeler fleet with UberMoto, allowing Shadowfax to offer bike-taxi services during lean hours. Reports indicate that the Bansal-led company is gearing up to launch its initial public offering (IPO). It will join industry peers like Delhivery and Blackbuck, which are already listed on the stock exchange, while another player, Ecom Express, has also secured SEBI approval for its IPO. Shadowfax has emerged as the fastest-growing logistics company in India, evident from its performance relative to competitors. Ecom Express recorded a modest 2.3% growth, reporting flat revenue of Rs 2,607 crore in FY24. Meanwhile, listed competitor Delhivery posted 12.7% year-on-year revenue growth in the last fiscal year.

Why Ola’s Path To Green Mobility Is Full Of Twists And Turns

Inc42Inc42 · 1y ago
Why Ola’s Path To Green Mobility Is Full Of Twists And Turns
Medial

Ola Cabs, a major ride-hailing company in India, has been slow to make progress in transitioning to electric mobility and has faced increased competition in the EV segment. While Ola Electric, a subsidiary of Ola Cabs, was established in 2017, the company has yet to achieve any significant milestones in its quest for an electric fleet. In contrast, competitors like Uber India and other emerging players such as BluSmart and Evera Cabs have already deployed thousands of electric vehicles. Ola's past initiatives, such as "Mission: Electric," have not come to fruition, and the company's current CEO, Hemant Bakshi, has offered limited clarity on its green mobility plans. Nevertheless, Ola aims to expand its electric vehicle offerings beyond two-wheelers to include three-wheelers, cars, and e-buses. However, Ola Electric's timeline for new products may not align with Ola Cabs' ambitions. Ola Electric plans to launch electric auto-rickshaws in the coming months, which could be integrated into Ola Cabs' fleet. The company also intends to enter the electric car market eventually but may need to partner with fleet operators and other original equipment manufacturers in the meantime. Ola's focus on scaling up its electric two-wheeler ride-hailing vertical is driven by the belief that state governments are more likely to favor two-wheelers over traditional internal combustion engines. However, Ola faces competition from established players such as Yulu and Rapido, as well as Uber's emphasis on Uber Moto. Ola still has to overcome challenges such as unit economics and profitability while catching up with existing rivals.

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