Google has invested $11 million in Namma Yatri, an Indian open-source ridesharing app that connects customers with auto-rickshaws and cab drivers without charging commission fees. The investment is part of a broader commitment by Google to invest $10 billion in India, as reported by TechCrunch. Namma Yatri, developed by the Bengaluru-based startup Moving Tech, raised the funds in a pre-Series A funding round.
Namma Yatri operates under the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a government-backed initiative. Unlike Uber and Ola, which charge drivers 25-30% of the ride cost, Namma Yatri charges a small monthly fee from its driver partners and does not take a commission from each ride. This fee structure provides a more affordable option for both drivers and customers.
Launched in 2022, Namma Yatri has completed over 46 million rides across various Indian cities, rapidly growing its user base and challenging the established market players, Uber and Ola, who have not joined the ONDC network.
