Story of Heetch: A ride-sharing app designed for late-night travel as a taxi alternative
Story of Heetch:
Birth of a New Idea (2013)
In 2013, three young entrepreneurs—Teddy Pellerin, Mathieu Jacob, and Aylic
Petit—launched a new kind of ride-sharing app in Paris. They noticed that
people who went out late at night often struggled to find affordable and safe
rides home. Traditional taxis were costly, and public transport was limited.
This gap in the market sparked the creation of Heetch, a service
designed specifically for late-night travelers.
A Fresh Take on Ride-Sharing
Unlike global giants like Uber, Heetch focused on the nighttime
crowd—party-goers, students, and workers who finished their jobs after
midnight. The app offered cheaper rides than taxis and provided transparency in
pricing and destinations. By keeping commission fees low, it also attracted
drivers who wanted to earn extra income without high charges cutting into their
pay.
The First Growth Phase (2014–2016)
Within a few years of launching, Heetch grew rapidly in Paris. Young people
began to rely on the app for their late-night commutes, and word-of-mouth
helped expand its user base. Heetch became known as the “friendly night-time
ride,” creating a strong community of both riders and drivers. Its model stood
out as different from larger, mainstream ride-sharing platforms.
Story of Heetch: A ride-sharing app designed for late-night travel as a taxi alternative#startup#age#net worth#investor#Heetch#AI startup#entrepreneur
Facing Challenges and Pivoting (2017)
In 2017, Heetch faced legal and regulatory challenges as authorities questioned
its peer-to-peer ride-sharing model. To adapt and survive, the company made a
major shift: it pivoted from being a P2P service to a professional taxi-hailing
platform. This move allowed Heetch to comply with transport laws, while still
keeping its identity as a low-cost, late-night alternative.
Expanding Beyond France (2018–2019)
After stabilizing in Paris, Heetch began expanding internationally. It launched
operations in Belgium and Morocco, bringing its unique night-focused service to
new markets. By this time, Heetch was no longer just a local startup—it was
growing into a European and African ride-hailing brand. Thousands of rides were
being completed daily across these regions.
Securing Strong Backing (2019–2021)
To fuel its expansion, Heetch raised significant funding. Over time, the
company secured around $74 million through Series B rounds, with support from
investors such as Felix Capital, Total, Kima Ventures, Aster Capital, Idinvest
Partners, and Via ID. This financial backing helped Heetch strengthen its
technology, improve driver onboarding, and expand its late-night customer base.
Competing with Global Giants (2021–2023)
Despite being smaller than Uber or Bolt, Heetch carved out a strong niche by
targeting underserved times of the day. With about 80 competitors in the
mobility market, Heetch positioned itself as a friendlier, community-driven
option. By offering real-time tracking, simple app-based payments, and
transparent fares, it won customer trust and loyalty.
The Road Ahead (2024 and Beyond)
Today, Heetch continues to grow steadily, with thousands of daily rides in
France, Belgium, and Morocco. Its mobile app, available on both iOS and
Android, connects riders with pre-screened taxi operators. What started in 2013
as a small idea for late-night rides has now become a recognized mobility
brand, competing with some of the biggest names in the industry. The company’s
journey reflects resilience, adaptability, and the power of solving one simple
but important problem—helping people get home safely at night.
Timeline of Heetch
- 2013
– Heetch is founded in Paris, France by Teddy Pellerin, Mathieu Jacob,
and Aylic Petit as a peer-to-peer late-night ride-sharing app
targeting party-goers and night travelers.
- 2013–2016
– The app gains popularity in Paris, offering low commissions,
transparent pricing, and affordable rides as an alternative to taxis.
- 2017
– Due to regulatory challenges, Heetch pivots from peer-to-peer
ride-sharing to a taxi-hailing model, partnering with licensed taxi
operators for safer and legal operations.
- 2018
– Heetch expands its reach beyond France into Belgium and Morocco,
serving thousands of nightly users.
- 2019
– The company raises significant funding from investors like Felix
Capital, Total, and Via ID, strengthening its growth.
- 2020
– Heetch continues its expansion in Europe and Africa while positioning
itself as a specialist in late-night transport.
- 2021
– Funding rounds, including Series B, raise around $64.2M–$74M from
investors such as Kima Ventures, Idinvest Partners, and Aster Capital,
giving it resources to scale further.
- 2022
– Heetch faces increasing competition with global ride-hailing giants like
Uber, Hype, and Caocao Mobility Paris, but carves a niche in night-time
mobility.
- 2023
– Heetch marks 10 years since launch, celebrating a decade of
growth, thousands of rides daily, and a reputation as a trusted
alternative to traditional taxis at night.
- 2024–Present
– Headquartered in Paris, Heetch continues to operate actively in France,
Belgium, and Morocco, with further ambitions to expand its late-night
ride-hailing network globally.
