HopSkipDrive
HopSkipDrive , the ridesharing service for kids of busy parents, has raised $10.2 million in funding for its Series A. The round was led by FirstMark Capital and will be used to not only work on enhancing the product, but also bring the service to new neighborhoods in the United States. The company has also brought on board Uber’s former Los Angeles general manager, Eyal Gutentag , as its chief operating officer to provide guidance on how to scale the service and compete in the ridesharing space. Started by Joanna McFarland, Carolyn Yashari Becher, and Janelle McGlothlin, HopSkipDrive utilizes “CareDrivers” to shuttle children around between extracurricular activities and the home. It’s ideal for children ages 7 and up whose parents are busy at work, and the service deploys an Uber-style model: Families schedule rides in advance and can view details about the driver. Proper security procedures are put in place to ensure the children’s safety. To date, “tens of thousands of rides”...