Hip

About Hip

Hip, a mobility technology company now operating as HQ, is positioned as a significant player in the corporate ground transportation sector. The firm was established to address the evolving daily commute, particularly for corporations navigating the post-pandemic, hybrid work model. The company is spearheaded by co-founders Amiad Solomon (CEO) and Itay Ovits (CTO). Solomon is a serial entrepreneur with a notable track record in founding and scaling technology startups, including Peer39 and Cognata, bringing extensive experience in adtech, AI, and transportation to the venture.

The core of the business is a comprehensive enterprise platform that provides companies with turn-key employee transportation and shuttle programs. This service is designed to be flexible, catering to the fluctuating nature of office attendance in modern workplaces. The business model is a commute-as-a-service offering, targeting organizations across the United States and in major cities globally. Revenue is generated by providing this managed service to corporate clients who wish to offer transportation as a key employee benefit. This approach helps companies manage employee commute challenges, enhance safety, and control transportation expenditures.

The platform's technology is a key differentiator. It utilizes dynamic route optimization algorithms to create the most efficient shuttle routes and vehicle deployments daily, thereby minimizing commute times and company costs. For employees, the service includes a highly-rated mobile application for booking tickets, reserving seats, and tracking their transport in real-time. For the enterprise client, the platform offers a robust analytics dashboard, route planning and management tools, and features like contact tracing and vehicle capacity controls to ensure safety and operational efficiency. Vehicles are often equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi and power outlets to enhance the commuter experience. In early 2021, the company announced it had secured $12 million in a funding round led by NFX and Magenta Venture Partners, with participation from former executives at Uber, Booking.com, and Google, to fuel the growth of its engineering, sales, and operations teams.