Aidaijia

About Aidaijia

Aidaijia, formally registered as Shanghai BiDa Information Technology Co., Ltd., operated as an on-demand designated driver platform within China's burgeoning O2O (Online-to-Offline) market. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Shanghai, the company developed a mobile application that connected car owners with professional drivers for hire. This service primarily targeted individuals who were unable to drive their own vehicles, most notably after consuming alcohol, but also catered to needs such as business travel and other personalized driving services. The business model centered on providing a convenient and safe alternative to leaving a car behind, a significant issue in a country with a high number of drunk driving incidents.

The platform's core functionality allowed users to request a nearby driver through a smartphone app, with options for advance booking via a 400 telephone number as well. A key operational feature was that drivers would often arrive on foldable e-bikes, which could be stored in the client's trunk, enabling the driver to leave after completing the journey. Aidaijia's revenue was generated from the fares charged for these driving services. The company expanded its presence to approximately 150 cities across China and claimed to have over 50,000 drivers on its platform at its peak.

From a financial perspective, Aidaijia successfully navigated multiple funding rounds to fuel its expansion in a competitive market. The company's first round was an Angel investment in January 2013, followed by a Series A in October 2013. It secured a significant Series B round of $10 million in December 2014 and a final Series C round in July 2015 for an undisclosed amount. Investors included notable firms such as Bitauto, Meridian Capital China, Shanghai Ivy Capital, and Artesian. Despite its initial growth and substantial backing, Aidaijia faced intense competition from rivals like eDaijia and Didi Chauffeur, the latter launched by the ride-hailing giant Didi Kuaidi. The market dynamics, characterized by aggressive promotional campaigns and subsidy wars, created a challenging operational environment. The company is now considered to be inactive.