MakeMyTrip in talks to acquire carpooling platform Quick Ride via redBus
MakeMyTrip is negotiating the acquisition of Bengaluru-based car and bike pooling platform Quick Ride through its subsidiary redBus. The deal, currently in due diligence, could strengthen MakeMyTrip’s position in India’s urban mobility sector, particularly for corporate commutes.
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30 SEC SUMMARY
- MakeMyTrip is in advanced talks to acquire car and bike pooling platform Quick Ride via its subsidiary redBus.
- The deal is in the due diligence stage and may involve a mix of cash and equity.
- Quick Ride, founded in 2015, focuses on urban mobility and corporate commute solutions.
- The acquisition aims to expand MakeMyTrip’s presence in the carpooling and urban mobility sectors.
- Investors like Naspers and Venture Highway have reduced or exited their stakes in Quick Ride.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- MakeMyTrip is in talks to acquire Quick Ride through its subsidiary redBus, with the deal currently in due diligence.
- Quick Ride is a car and bike pooling platform founded in 2015, catering to corporate employees and daily commuters.
- The acquisition could involve a mix of cash and equity, though the exact value remains unconfirmed.
- Quick Ride previously raised Rs 100.78 crore ($14.4 million) in a 2019 Series B round from investors including Sequoia Capital India, Naspers, and Venture Highway.
- Naspers’ stake in Quick Ride has significantly reduced from 20.81% in 2020 to around 0.10%, while Venture Highway is no longer a significant shareholder.
- Neither MakeMyTrip nor Quick Ride has responded to requests for comment.
MakeMyTrip’s acquisition plans for Quick Ride
According to Entrackr, MakeMyTrip is in advanced talks to acquire Quick Ride, a car and bike pooling platform based in Bengaluru. The acquisition is expected to be executed through redBus, MakeMyTrip’s subsidiary focused on bus ticketing and mobility solutions.
The deal is currently in the due diligence stage, and its completion timeline remains unclear. If finalized, the transaction is likely to involve a combination of cash and equity, though specific financial details have not been disclosed.
Quick Ride’s business and investor history
Quick Ride was founded in 2015 by KNM Rao to connect commuters traveling along similar routes for car and bike pooling. The platform primarily serves corporate employees and daily office commuters, addressing urban mobility challenges in cities like Bengaluru.
The company raised Rs 100.78 crore ($14.4 million) in a Series B funding round in 2019. Key investors included Sequoia Capital India, Naspers, and Venture Highway.
However, investor stakes have shifted significantly since then. Naspers’ shareholding in Quick Ride dropped from 20.81% in 2020 to approximately 0.10%, while Venture Highway is no longer listed as a significant shareholder. Sequoia Capital India exited the company through a secondary transaction, according to Entrackr.
Strategic rationale for the acquisition
The potential acquisition aligns with MakeMyTrip’s broader strategy to expand its urban mobility and corporate commute offerings. Quick Ride’s platform could complement redBus’s existing services, creating a more integrated suite of mobility solutions for users.
By integrating car and bike pooling into its ecosystem, MakeMyTrip could strengthen its position in India’s competitive urban mobility market, where demand for cost-effective and sustainable commuting options is growing.
Quick Ride’s role in India’s urban mobility landscape
Quick Ride emerged as a key player in India’s urban mobility sector by focusing on shared commuting solutions. Its platform enables users to find and join rides with others traveling similar routes, reducing traffic congestion and commuting costs.
The company’s emphasis on corporate commutes addressed a critical gap in India’s urban transportation infrastructure, particularly in tech hubs like Bengaluru, where daily office travel is a significant challenge for employees.
What this means
Lazyfounder analysis — our interpretation, not reported fact.
This potential acquisition reflects a broader trend among travel and mobility platforms to diversify beyond their core offerings. For MakeMyTrip, integrating Quick Ride’s car and bike pooling services could create new revenue streams while addressing the growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective urban transportation.
For founders and operators, this deal highlights the importance of strategic acquisitions in scaling mobility solutions. Startups in niche segments like carpooling or corporate commutes can gain access to larger user bases and resources by aligning with established players. However, the due diligence process and investor exits in Quick Ride’s history also underscore the challenges of sustaining independent operations in a competitive market.
Key takeaways
- Founders in niche mobility segments should evaluate strategic acquisitions as a pathway to scale, especially if standalone growth is challenging.
- Investor exits or reduced stakes can signal shifts in a startup’s financial health or market position, which acquirers may scrutinize during due diligence.
- Integrating carpooling or shared mobility services into broader platforms can enhance value for users, but execution risks—such as regulatory hurdles or user adoption—must be carefully managed.
- Corporate commute solutions remain a high-potential segment in urban mobility, particularly in markets like India where traffic congestion and transportation costs are persistent issues.
FAQ
Why is MakeMyTrip acquiring Quick Ride?
MakeMyTrip aims to expand its urban mobility and corporate commute offerings by integrating Quick Ride’s car and bike pooling platform into its ecosystem. This could enhance redBus’s services and provide users with a more comprehensive mobility solution.
What happens to Quick Ride’s existing investors after the acquisition?
Investor stakes in Quick Ride have already shifted significantly. Naspers’ shareholding reduced from 20.81% in 2020 to around 0.10%, and Venture Highway is no longer a significant shareholder. Sequoia Capital India exited through a secondary transaction prior to this deal.
How does Quick Ride’s platform benefit corporate employees?
Quick Ride connects commuters traveling similar routes, making it easier for corporate employees to find cost-effective and convenient daily office commutes. The platform focuses on reducing travel time and expenses for daily office goers.
Related on Lazyfounder
Sources
- Entrackr · 2026-10-19
Exclusive: MakeMyTrip in talks to acquire Quick Ride through redBus
This story is an original summary drafted with AI by Lazyfounder from the reporting listed above and checked by automated validation. Facts are attributed to their original publishers; sections marked as analysis are Lazyfounder's. Where a source is in another language, facts were machine-translated and quotations are reported, not reproduced. Read the original coverage via the links, and see our AI policy and corrections policy.
About the author
Editor, Lazyfounder
Tarun Mottlia edits LazyFounders, covering Indian startups, funding rounds, AI and product launches. Every story on the site is AI-assisted and checked against its cited sources before publication.
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