The Business Model of Uber | Guide for Budding Entrepreneurs

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Uber, the taxi titan was founded by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp. With its headquarters located in California, United States, it has spread to over 65 countries and 600 cities worldwide. Its rise to fame was steady and calculated, bringing in success from every corner of the globe. The company is valued at over a whopping $70 Billion and it continues to grow exponentially.

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Uber has penetrated the lives of more than 50 Million individuals, most of whom avail taxi services every single day. It has transformed from being a luxury to becoming a lifestyle in a short period of time. It is no shocker that Uber has completed more than 10 billion trips worldwide. It focused not only On Providing Seamless Services to users but also in making the taxi industry a friendly environment for drivers.

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An average Uber driver takes home an income of $364 per month. There are 3.9 million Uber drivers globally. By creating a bridge for the two major stakeholders (riders and drivers) to meet, Uber made a complex and chaotic service extremely simple. This is the major reason for the huge figures attached to its name and why entrepreneurs are trying to imitate its framework using solutions like the Uber clone.

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Uber’s well-known opponent, Lyft has partnered with 1.4 million drivers that have served over 23 million passengers. It comes as a surprise that Uber’s key international rival is the initially localised Chinese company, Didi Chuxing, valued at $56 billion. The taxi giant has over 21 million drivers and offers an average of 30 million rides every day.

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Grab, Uber’s Asian competitor has claimed to transport 36 million riders with over 2.8 million drivers registered on the app worldwide. The reason why Grab has such a good standing is because its services cater to the needs of the local market and solves daily issues faced by the locals. Uber continues to keep up with new technology in order to hold its position and also comes up with new strategies to outsmart its competitors.

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Key Opportunities Leveraged

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Uber has exploited certain market needs to drive its business forward and also gratify its users. There are quite a few sectors that rely on the use of taxis heavily. The common ones are:

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Business professionals always on the move There are certain professions that require the individual to travel around often either for business meetings or conferences. A taxi service comes as a relief to this category as transportation can be arranged in less than a minute. reactions

Tourists and travellers A taxi driver can act as a tour guide for tourists who completely rely on locals to take them around the city. All they need to do is download the app to book taxis. Uber also provides car rentals that offer the users with flexibility and privacy. reactions

Transportation services during bad weather We all know that it is hard to find transportation in bad weather. But there are emergencies that require us to travel. For these unforeseen emergencies, a taxi service will be of great assistance. reactions

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The city comes alive at night and often, it is almost impossible to find a taxi around. Taxi services like Uber came in and provided a solution to this issue. Now, finding a cab at 2 a.m. is easier than ever. reactions Key Principles of Uber Improving accessibility Offering variety Meeting needs Ensuring reliability Maintaining transparency Key Sources of Revenue reactions Variety of taxi models to suit everyone reactions Uber has a wide variety of ride categories so that all needs are met efficiently. The following are the general vehicle types offered to the users. reactions UberX - This 4-seater is the most economical ride. reactions UberXL - 6-seater. Perfect for extra luggage or spacious travel. reactions UberSUV - Provides an SUV for taxi services. reactions UberPOOL - 4-seater. Ride-sharing with other users to reduce costs. Max 2 seats per booking. reactions UberBLACK - These provide premium cars like Mercedes or BMWs at reasonable prices. reactions UberASSIST - Door-to-door service usually used by old or disabled people. reactions Surge Pricing reactions Bad weather conditions, traffic, and public holidays are when users have to pay a hiked price for their taxi ride. The users are informed about the increased price in advance. reactions Promotional Partnerships reactions Uber has partnered with various big brands like BMW, Pepsi, and Spotify to market their products innovatively. Uber is paid for the publicity the brands receive. reactions In-app Advertising reactions Advertising that is displayed on the app also brings in revenue. This can disrupt the user’s experience so it has to be placed carefully. reactions Other Services UberKIDS - Vehicles are equipped with a child safety seat. reactions UberPETS - This service allows pets in the taxi. reactions UberWAV - It offers a wheelchair accessible vehicle. reactions UberEATS - Food delivery app that allows users order from various restaurants.

UberRUSH - It is a delivery service that offers door-to-door delivery. reactions UberMOTO - Transportation services are in the form of bike taxis. reactions UberBOAT - Basically allows passengers travel through water bodies. reactions The Business Model Key partners reactions Taxi drivers and vehicles



Investors



Lobbyists



Payment processors



Maps/GPS

Key Activities reactions Partnering with drivers



Linking drivers and users



Managing driver payouts



Marketing services



Expanding market



Customer support

Key Resources reactions Data collected



Professional drivers



Driver app, rider app, etc



Funding

Value proposition reactions Customers reactions Cost-effective taxi services when compared to normal taxis.



Waiting time is reduced to 2 to 5 minutes.



The estimated fare is provided before the ride is booked.



Secure services and SOS button in case of emergency.



Cashless payment through card or online wallets.



Feedback segment to review the services availed.

Drivers reactions A good source of income.



Flexible shift and freedom to work part time.



Easy to find customers with the app.



Added revenue from surge pricing due to weather/traffic conditions.



In-built maps for easy navigation to pick-up and drop locations.

Customer relationship reactions Social media channels



Feedback provided like review and rating



Customer support

Channels reactions Website



Android app



iOS app

Customer Segments reactions Users reactions Those who do not own a car



Users who do not want to drive



People who like the comfort and luxury of a taxi



Those who want taxi services on demand

Cost Structure reactions Marketing expenses



Salary to employees and partners



Technological infrastructure

Revenue Streams reactions Taxi rides based on distance travelled and rate/km.



Surge pricing



Variety of taxi models - UberX, UberSUV, UberPOOL, etc.



Other services - UberBOAT, UberEats, UberMOTO, etc. Building Your Own Business reactions Uber has become the go-to taxi service for a majority of the world’s population. The idea started small, but it saw steady growth over a period of time. reactions Therefore, there is hope for entrepreneurs who dream to Build their own business from scratch. reactions Hard work and determination can take you far but there are smarter moves you can make to get you there faster. reactions Ultimately, there is a great deal to learn from Uber’s evolution, its miscalculations and achievements. Tread cautiously and observe your audience. If you cater to a dire need in the market, there is nothing stopping you. reactions Bon chance! reactions

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