Lime
Unicorn Β· $1.1BSan Francisco, US Β· Founded 2017 Β· 2,782 employees on LinkedIn Β· 40 known investors
Lime operates a shared micromobility service offering short-term rentals of electric bikes and scooters. It serves urban riders across more than 230 cities in nearly 30 countries.
Also known as Lime Micromobility Β· Lime-E Β· Lime-S Β· LimeBike Β· Neutron Holdings, Inc.
Founders & leadership
Investors Β· 40
Also in the syndicate Β· 4
Valuation Β· disclosed
Disclosed eventsSource: SEC prospectus filings, and round valuations the company or its investors disclosed β follow each entry's link for the claim.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed β not independently audited.
Founder mafia
5 people who came through Lime went on to found or lead other companies.
Competitors Β· 7
by search overlap
Companies competing with Lime for the same Google search keywords, organic and paid, via search-intersection analysis.
Timeline Β· 40
launches, deals, and filingsLime announced Hannah McClellan as Chief Operating Officer.
Filed an S-1 registration statement with the SEC for a proposed initial public offering on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol LIME, with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan as lead underwriters.
Lime filed an S-1 registration statement with the SEC for a proposed IPO on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker LIME, with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan as lead underwriters.
Company blog post announcing Lime reached 1 billion rides worldwide.
Received the Red Dot 'Best of the Best' award for vehicle design and was named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies.
Rolled out its Gen5 scooter fleet at scale across core markets, focused on hardware durability and operational efficiency.
Lime received a Red Dot 'Best of the Best' award for vehicle design and was named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Companies.
Closed $523 million in convertible debt and term loan financing: $418 million of convertible debt led by Abu Dhabi Growth Fund with Fidelity Management & Research Company, Uber and funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, plus a $105 million senior secured term loan from UBS O'Connor. Lime stated the round secured its path to going public in 2022.
$523M source β
Lime closed a $523 million oversubscribed financing: $418 million of convertible debt led by Abu Dhabi Growth Fund with Fidelity Management & Research, Uber and funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, plus a $105 million senior secured term loan from UBS O'Connor. $20 million was earmarked for decarbonization, and the company stated an intention to go public in 2022.
$523M source β
Lime's company-wide net zero by 2030 carbon target covering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions was approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative; $20 million of the November 2021 round was allocated to decarbonization efforts, including a goal that 80% of its supply chain set emissions targets.
Lime's carbon targets were validated by the Science-Based Targets Initiative; the company stated it is working toward Paris Climate Accord consistency and net-zero by 2030.
A London e-scooter trial operated by Dott, Lime and TIER Mobility commenced; Lime had begun UK e-scooter operations from mid-2020 under UK Department for Transport trials, which also included Greater Manchester and Milton Keynes.
Named one of the 2021 Time100 Most Influential Companies by Time magazine.
Lime reported its first profitable quarter and predicted full-year profitability for 2021.
Lime acquired the Jump e-bike and scooter business from Uber together with a $170 million funding round led by Uber, with Bain Capital Ventures and GV participating; the deal valued Lime at $510 million, down 79% from a $2.4 billion valuation in April 2019.
$170M source β
Brad Bao stepped down as CEO and was replaced by Wayne Ting at the time of the Jump acquisition and $170 million round.
Lime acquired the Jump e-bike and scooter business from Uber alongside a $170 million round led by Uber with Bain Capital Ventures and GV; the deal valued Lime at $510 million, down 79% from its $2.4 billion April 2019 valuation.
$170M source β
Lime was reported to have acquired the assets of electric skateboard startup Boosted.
Lime was reported to have acquired assets of electric skateboard startup Boosted.
Due to reduced demand during COVID-19 lockdowns, Lime suspended services in nearly two dozen countries; the CEO said operations were paused in 99% of markets worldwide.
Reduced demand during COVID-19 lockdowns led Lime to suspend services in nearly two dozen countries; the CEO said operations were paused in 99% of markets worldwide.
Laid off approximately 100 employees (about 14% of the workforce) and ended scooter rental service in a dozen markets including Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego and San Antonio.
Lime laid off about 100 employees (roughly 14% of its workforce) and ended scooter rental service in about a dozen markets including Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego and San Antonio.
Ranked No. 12 on LinkedIn's list of 50 Top Startups for 2019, its first appearance on the list.
Co-founder and CEO Toby Sun stepped down, reportedly to focus on R&D, and co-founder Brad Bao took his place as CEO.
Co-founder and CEO Toby Sun stepped down, reportedly to focus on R&D, and co-founder Brad Bao became CEO.
After applying for car-sharing permits in Seattle in October 2018, Lime launched a service with a fleet of Fiat 500 Lounge cars branded LimePod.
After applying for car-sharing permits in October 2018, Lime launched a Seattle service with a fleet of Fiat 500 Lounge cars branded LimePod.
Announced a new e-scooter model with larger wheels, built-in suspension and an aluminum frame intended to resist vandalism and extend vehicle life.
Lime announced an e-scooter with larger wheels, built-in suspension and an aluminum frame to combat vandalism and extend vehicle life.
Signed a deal with Uber to provide electric bikes for the expansion of the Uber Bikes service.
Lime signed a deal with Uber to provide electric bikes for the expansion of Uber's Uber Bikes service.
A $335 million funding round valued the company at $1.1 billion; the Series C included a strategic tie-up with Uber and funded expansion into Paris and Berlin.
$335M source β
Announced a trial of electric bikes branded Lime-E in San Francisco; Lime-S electric scooters were announced the following month.
A $335 million funding round led by GV with participation from Uber valued Lime at $1.1 billion, making it a unicorn.
$335M source β
Closed a Series B round of venture funding, announcing a valuation of $225 million.
Lime closed a Series B round and announced a valuation of $225 million.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
βΈResearch sources Β· 12
primary sources listed
- Find Lime Cities and Region | Lime Micromobilityli.me Β· web
12 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Lime do?
- Lime operates a shared micromobility service offering short-term rentals of electric bikes and scooters. It serves urban riders across more than 230 cities in nearly 30 countries.
- Who are Lime's investors?
- Lime's investors include Acurio Ventures, Akkadian Ventures, Amity Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Bling Capital, BMW i Ventures, Coatue Management, Craft Ventures and 28 more.
- Where is Lime headquartered?
- Lime is headquartered in San Francisco, US.