Indian ride-hailing startup BluSmart has begun operations in Dubai, according to exclusive information confirmed by its executive. The long-rumored expansion to Dubai could position BluSmart to compete with ride-hailing giants like Careem, Uber, and Hala in the UAE’s most populous city.
Earlier this week, the Gurugram-based startup discreetly activated its Dubai service via its app, also establishing a separate Dubai-focused subdomain on its website. BluSmart co-founder Anmol Jaggi confirmed that the pilot program commenced on Tuesday with a fleet of 100 Audi E-Tron SUVs and 130 drivers in the city, with a formal launch anticipated for early June.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that BluSmart began planning its Dubai launch at the start of 2023. When approached in late March of last year, BluSmart CBO Tushar Garg denied the development. However, co-founder Punit Goyal later indicated in a local media interview that the startup was planning launches in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai between November and December.
While Anmol Jaggi did not disclose an exact date, he confirmed that the Abu Dhabi launch is slated for later this year.
Founded in 2019 by Anmol Jaggi, his brother Puneet Jaggi, and Punit Goyal, BluSmart aims to challenge the dominance of Uber and SoftBank-backed Ola. Initially launching with an EV fleet in Gurugram and Delhi, the startup expanded to Bengaluru in 2022.
In January, the startup secured $25 million from Switzerland-headquartered impact fund ResponsAbility to enhance its charging infrastructure.
Last month, BluSmart reported a 102% increase in its annual run rate to $60 million, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 300% over the past three years. The company, with a fleet of over 7,300 EVs covering nearly 286 million miles, aims to expand its fleet to 10,000 vehicles by the end of 2024.
