Berlin Startup Blacklane Sold to Uber for Global Expansion
Headquartered in Berlin, Blacklane works with independent local chauffeur partners to deliver first-class service. © Uber
Uber is set to acquire Blacklane, the Berlin-based global chauffeur service, marking a major move into the premium and executive travel market.
According to a press release from Uber, the two companies announced the agreement on March 30, 2026. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals.
Blacklane was founded in Berlin in 2011 with a clear mission: bring quality and consistency to travel. Today, the platform connects travelers and corporate clients with independent local chauffeur services in more than 500 cities across 60+ countries. That's quite a journey from a Berlin startup to a global luxury mobility leader.
For Uber, the timing makes sense. Executive travel is one of the fastest-growing segments of its business. Its pre-booked Uber Reserve service has seen particularly strong demand, and the company recently launched Uber Elite, targeting the high-end chauffeur market. Blacklane fits right into that strategy.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company wants to offer riders every option, from daily commutes to luxury rides, and sees Blacklane as a way to deliver exceptional service to more cities worldwide.
Blacklane founder and CEO Dr. Jens Wohltorf sees the deal as the next chapter for the company: combining Blacklane's luxury hospitality expertise with Uber's global scale and technology platform.
For Berlin, this is a reminder of what the city's startup ecosystem can produce: a homegrown company that scaled globally and attracted one of the world's biggest tech platforms.
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