Sodexo Ventures Acquires a Minority Stake in Klaxit

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, announced today that its strategic investment fund, Sodexo Ventures, has acquired a minority stake in Klaxit (formerly known as WayzUp), a start-up that is a pioneer in home-to-work carpooling.

Since its creation in November 2016, Sodexo Ventures has invested in start-ups with strong growth potential that add value to the company’s offer, as it pursues its vision of improving the quality of life of the 100 million people Sodexo serves around the world.

Klaxit, launched in 2014 by Julien Honnart and Cyrille Courtière, is the French leader in home-to-work carpooling. Drawing on a mobile application designed to meet the everyday needs of workers, and a roll-out strategy focusing on big business, Klaxit creates carpooling networks that allow more than 8 out of 10 members to meet up with fellow carpoolers traveling on their route at times that fit their schedule. For Klaxit, this investment supports its growth strategy through businesses and communities.

"Carpooling between home and work is an enormous market we can’t conquer on our own."

Julien HonnartCo-founder and CEO of Klaxit
"We’re building the best ecosystem of partners and shareholders around Klaxit in order to become the European market leader. Our four partners, who are experts in mobility and corporate services, have consolidated revenues of more than €30 billion and several million customers, and have considerable marketing, commercial and financial power that can propel us ahead of Blablacar and GAFA."

For Sodexo, enhancing its offer by providing clients with worker mobility services has become a strategic focus. In France, this fulfills the recent legal requirements of the government’s Mobility Plan: lowering transportation costs, fatigue and stress while building workers’ sense of community to improve their quality of life. This investment includes a partnership agreement that aims to phase this carpooling solution into its Quality of Life services offer.

The investment by Sodexo Ventures creates an alliance with a company that shares its values, while bringing together compatible shareholders: mobility experts (Via ID, RATP), insurance (MAIF), environmental and social start-up specialists (INCO).

"Our investment in Klaxit gives us an opportunity to expand our mobility services offer while joining us with shareholders who have complimentary expertise."

Belen Moscoso del PradoChief Digital and Innovation Officer at Sodexo
"Like every investment through Sodexo Ventures, this minority holding creates a partnership that combines the agility and creativity of start-ups with the Group’s investment capacity, expertise and footprint to continue to offer our customers ever more value."

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