Juno

Juno, a ride-hailing service, was established in 2016 by founder Talmon Marco, who was also a co-founder of the instant messaging app Viber. The company's strategy centered on creating a more driver-friendly platform to compete with established players like Uber and Lyft. This was to be achieved by offering drivers a higher percentage of the fare and providing equity in the company.

Operating primarily in New York City, Juno aimed to attract and retain drivers by taking a smaller commission, initially 10%, compared to the higher rates charged by its rivals. This approach was designed to foster a more loyal and satisfied driver base, which in turn was expected to lead to a superior service for passengers. The business model was predicated on the belief that happier drivers would translate into better rider experiences, thus creating a competitive advantage in the crowded ride-sharing market.

The service functioned similarly to other ride-hailing applications, allowing users to book rides through a mobile app. It offered different service tiers, including 'Bliss' for standard trips, 'Lux' for premium rides, and 'SUV' for larger groups. Despite its driver-centric positioning, Juno found it challenging to gain significant market share. In 2017, the Israeli-based mobility company Gett acquired Juno for a reported $200 million. However, the platform ceased operations in November 2019, with Gett redirecting its focus to a corporate transportation partnership with Lyft.

Keywords: ride-sharing, driver equity, New York City, Gett, Talmon Marco, mobile app, transportation service, ride-hailing, commission model, passenger service