Vogo

About Vogo

Vogo Automotive Pvt. Ltd. operates as an app-based, self-drive two-wheeler rental service focused on solving first and last-mile commute challenges in Indian cities. The company was founded in 2016 by Anand Ayyadurai, Padmanabhan Balakrishnan, and Sanchit Mittal. The founders, alumni of IITs and IIMs, experienced personal frustration with the inconvenience and expense of daily commutes in Bangalore, which inspired them to create a more reliable and accessible transportation solution.

Vogo provides an online platform and mobile app that enables users to locate, book, and unlock scooters on demand. A key feature is its proprietary IoT technology, which allows for keyless entry via an OTP system, automating the rental process and eliminating the need for human intervention. The platform's smart scooters are equipped with sensors that transmit data on vehicle health, location, and security in real-time. The business model initially included short, one-way trips charged by the kilometer (VOGO NOW) and later expanded to long-term rentals (VOGO KEEP), which allows users to rent a scooter for a day up to two months. This subscription model gained significant traction, especially post-COVID-19, and features services like home delivery of sanitized scooters.

In March 2022, Vogo was acquired by public transport technology company Chalo in a share-swap deal. This strategic acquisition was aimed at integrating Vogo's scooter network with Chalo's bus services to provide seamless first- and last-mile connectivity for bus commuters. Following the acquisition, Vogo began transitioning its entire fleet to electric vehicles (EVs) and planned to expand into other EV categories to meet market demands. The Vogo brand continues to operate under its own name, with co-founders Anand Ayyadurai and Padmanabhan Balakrishnan taking on new leadership roles within the Chalo group. Prior to the acquisition, Vogo had raised approximately $159 million in funding over 15 rounds from investors including Ola, Matrix Partners, Stellaris Venture Partners, and Kalaari Capital.