The common start of VOI microbialability lies on the hunt for acquisitions. And Managing Director Fredrik Hjelm’s Wishlist is Bolt, the European mobility of the over-implementation known for driving.
Not that Bolt’s micro -microtocoling business is necessarily for sale – despite the discussion of VOI by buying the company Bike scooter and bracket. Bolt refused to comment when TechCrunch arrived.
“Bolt is a big company, but it is mainly a hit company,” Hjelm told TechCrunch on stage at the Round Table of the Microbiotic Industry Industry in Brussels, where he joined Bird Michael Washinushi’s co-director and Dott/Tier Henri Moissinac CEO.
Hjelm said Bolt’s challenge is that it should be “extremely good in several verticals”. In addition to driving, Bolt offers a grocery and delivery of food, as well as car rentals.
“The germ is very difficult and has the aspect of the material. But there is no network result such as the way in which food delivery and ride route [can lead to] The grocery store also, Hjelm said.
He noted that most people who get an e-scooter or e-bike without a dock are locals who prioritize experience and financial access rather than the ability to use a “super app” like Bolt.
When it comes to an example of riders using microbial services because they recognize the brand – and may not want to download another application – stick to this dissertation. Hjelm said he does not believe that brand recognition is enough to compensate for a worse user experience.
Of course, there is no facts that prove that VOI offers a better user experience than Bolt. This did not stop the others in the table to join the bolt pile.
“Bolt uses the price as a loss leader,” said Bird’s Washinushi, referring to Bolt’s ability to rely on revenue from his other businesses to develop a loss -making operation. “They train the price, and so they acquire facilities.
Washinushi noted that Bird, as well as Dott and VOI, use a lot of vehicles to balance.
“You can throw away thousands of vehicles and hope that people take walks or you can … place half these vehicles in the right place and at the right time to optimize walks and optimize the price,” he said. ‘And that is [how] The business has really evolved over the last two or three years … that, for us, it makes it a very self -sustaining business. ”
In 2024, Bird said that he achieved $ 19 million tailored to EBITDA profitability – the achievement for a company that had separated from the stock market and deposited for bankruptcy two years ago. VOI also achieved its first profitable year last year with an EBITDA adjustable EBITDA of $ 17.9 million.
Bolt has not shared financial numbers for the microtonic business. In November 2024, the company stated that it had hit $ 2.11 billion in annual revenue In all his business units, but he did not share how much he lost. According to local reportsBolt recorded revenue of about $ 2 billion in 2023 for operational loss of $ 108 million.
TechCrunch tried to follow Hjelm on Wednesday about why he would like to get Bolt and if he has discussed with the company.
“I’m in Swedish House Mafia Reunion and I’ll think of Bolt tomorrow,” he replied.
TechCrunch will update this story if Hjelm has more to say about the subject.
