Volvo Group invests in Optibus to speed up on bus electrification and digitalization

Volvo Group has announced a strategic investment in Optibus (entity has not been released). Goal? “To advance bus electrification and the digitalization of the public transportation industry”, Optibus says in a press note. The investment supports key software infrastructure for achieving sustainable, digital bus operations 

The investment highlights the companies’ shared commitment to sustainable bus fleets and more efficient transportation operations, and reinforces the scalability of Optibus, which last month became the first unicorn company dedicated to public transportation. The number of cities using Optibus has more than doubled in the past year, growing to 1,000 cities in 26 countries across North and South America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific.

Volvo invests in Optibus

The investment was made by Volvo Group Venture Capital, the Corporate venture capital of Volvo Group. The move has “the aim to drive transformation through venture investments and to support collaborations between start-ups and the Volvo Group”, the companies say.

The bus market is transforming due to digitalization, electrification, and changes in business models. Advanced software solutions are key for cities and bus operators to take advantage of market developments. Optibus and Volvo Group will collaborate to create mutual strategic learnings and growth opportunities. 

Using optimization algorithms, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, Optibus develops and provides an all-in-one software platform for digitalizing and optimizing the work processes involved in public transportation planning and management. The software streamlines business operations, improves passenger services, and supports a smooth transition to 100% electric bus fleets, the supplier says.

Volvo with Optibus for bus electrification

“Optibus offers a scalable SaaS solution and has doubled its revenue year over year. We are impressed by the founders, the team culture, and the company’s achievements. We believe the Volvo Group can add considerable strategic value to the continued development of the business,” says Christina Brinck, Investment Director, Volvo Group Venture Capital.

“The collaboration with Optibus will contribute to our efforts to support customers with more efficient and sustainable transport solutions,” says Anna Westerberg, President of Volvo Buses.

“We are honored to receive this strategic investment from Volvo to enable greener, more efficient public transportation operations through better software infrastructure. Between Volvo, as a global OEM with decades of auto industry expertise, and Optibus, as an agile, quickly scaling SaaS company, this relationship spurs the synergy needed to advance digitalization and more sustainable fleets,” said Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus. 

Volvo Group has announced a strategic investment in Optibus (entity has not been released). Goal? “To advance bus electrification and the digitalization of the public transportation industry”, Optibus says in a press note. The investment supports key software infrastructure for achieving sustainable, digital bus operations 

The investment highlights the companies’ shared commitment to sustainable bus fleets and more efficient transportation operations, and reinforces the scalability of Optibus, which last month became the first unicorn company dedicated to public transportation. The number of cities using Optibus has more than doubled in the past year, growing to 1,000 cities in 26 countries across North and South America, EMEA, and Asia Pacific.

Volvo invests in Optibus

Volvo Group Venture Capital is the Corporate venture capital of Volvo Group and has “the aim to drive transformation through venture investments and to support collaborations between start-ups and the Volvo Group”, the companies say.

The bus market is transforming due to digitalization, electrification, and changes in business models. Advanced software solutions are key for cities and bus operators to take advantage of market developments. Optibus and Volvo Group will collaborate to create mutual strategic learnings and growth opportunities. 

Using optimization algorithms, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, Optibus develops and provides an all-in-one software platform for digitalizing and optimizing the work processes involved in public transportation planning and management. The software streamlines business operations, improves passenger services, and supports a smooth transition to 100% electric bus fleets, the supplier says.

Volvo with Optibus for bus electrification

“Optibus offers a scalable SaaS solution and has doubled its revenue year over year. We are impressed by the founders, the team culture, and the company’s achievements. We believe the Volvo Group can add considerable strategic value to the continued development of the business,” says Christina Brinck, Investment Director, Volvo Group Venture Capital.

“The collaboration with Optibus will contribute to our efforts to support customers with more efficient and sustainable transport solutions,” says Anna Westerberg, President of Volvo Buses.

“We are honored to receive this strategic investment from Volvo to enable greener, more efficient public transportation operations through better software infrastructure. Between Volvo, as a global OEM with decades of auto industry expertise, and Optibus, as an agile, quickly scaling SaaS company, this relationship spurs the synergy needed to advance digitalization and more sustainable fleets,” said Amos Haggiag, CEO and co-founder of Optibus.