Hiyacar

Graeme Risby, with a background in peer-to-peer marketplaces, and Rob Larmour established the company to offer a more efficient and community-focused model for car usage. Their vision was to address the high costs and inefficiencies of car ownership in urban areas by allowing people to share their vehicles.

The company operates on a peer-to-peer business model, connecting car owners with individuals who need to rent a vehicle. Hiyacar facilitates the entire process through its platform, taking a commission from each transaction. The service is aimed at city residents who require occasional car access and car owners seeking to generate income from their underused vehicles.

A core component of Hiyacar's service is its proprietary "QuickStart" technology. This feature enables keyless entry, allowing renters to unlock the car they have booked directly from their smartphone. This removes the need for a physical key exchange between the owner and the renter, streamlining the rental process.

Recently, Hiyacar was acquired by the 5 Villages Group (5VG), integrating it into a broader portfolio of mobility services.