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    Uber is acquiring Berlin’s Blacklane, which raised $100M+ from Mercedes-Benz and Sixt, per TechCrunch

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    The deal strengthens Uber’s Elite offering tarreceiveing premium business travelers and executive transport

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    Blacklane operates in 50+ countries with professional chauffeur services, giving Uber instant global reach in luxury segment

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    Acquisition signals consolidation in ride-sharing as companies chase profitable high-finish customers over mass market

Uber is acquiring Berlin-based chauffeur service Blacklane in a notable exit for the European startup that’s raised over $100 million from backers including Mercedes-Benz and rental giant Sixt. The deal signals Uber’s renewed focus on premium ride categories as the company pushes deeper into high-margin business travel and executive transport, a segment that’s rebounded sharply since pandemic lows. Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but the acquisition marks one of the largest exits in European mobility tech this year.

Uber just built its hugegest bet on premium mobility in years. The ride-hailing giant is acquireing Blacklane, the Berlin-based chauffeur service that’s become synonymous with upscale ground transportation across Europe and beyond. Financial terms remain under wraps, but sources familiar with the matter state the deal values Blacklane at a significant premium to its last private valuation.

The acquisition comes as Uber doubles down on its Elite tier, launched quietly in select markets over the past year but never quite gaining the traction the company hoped for. Blacklane brings something Uber’s been struggling to build organically – a network of professional chauffeurs, corporate accounts with Fortune 500 companies, and the operational know-how to deliver truly premium service consistently.

Founded in 2011, Blacklane carved out a niche by focutilizing exclusively on the high finish. No shared rides, no surge pricing chaos, just black cars with professional drivers booked in advance. The startup raised more than $100 million from an impressive roster of backers including Mercedes-Benz, German rental powerhoutilize Sixt, and venture firms betting on the premiumization of mobility. That strategic investor base now creates perfect sense – autocreaters and traditional car services saw Blacklane as a hedge against Uber’s disruption.

But the ride-sharing wars have evolved. After years of chasing growth at any cost, companies like Uber are now laser-focutilized on profitability. That means courting high-value customers willing to pay $80 for an airport run instead of $30 for an UberX. Business travelers and corporate accounts are the holy grail – they book frequently, don’t flinch at premium pricing, and generate predictable revenue.