Nikos Drandakis – From the success of taxibeat, which sold for 45 million, to the new success story of Airbnb for cars
Entrepreneur Nikos Drandakis transitions from his successful ride-hailing app taxibeat to a new venture in the car rental market.
Nikos Drandakis, known for founding the successful ride-hailing application taxibeat, has entered the car rental market with a new platform that allows car owners to rent out their unused vehicles, providing them with supplemental income. This business model reflects a growing trend in peer-to-peer rental services and aims to tap into the underutilized car market. Drandakis's previous success with taxibeat, which was sold for 45 million euros to daimler and rebranded to Beat and Freenow, has established him as a notable figure in the tech and entrepreneurship scene in Greece.
After parting ways with Beat in 2020, Drandakis shifted his focus towards investing in both private and public companies, with a strong emphasis on technology. His entrepreneurial spirit and innovative ideas illustrate how Greek entrepreneurs are looking to expand beyond traditional business models, showcasing the potential for growth and success in various sectors. The new rental platform not only serves car owners looking to earn money but also caters to those in need of affordable transportation options, highlighting the dual benefits of the service.
This venture could signify a shift in consumer behavior towards more sustainable and sharing-based economies, aligning with global trends such as the rise of Uber and Airbnb. Drandakis’s ability to identify gaps in the market and create solutions supports a narrative of resilience and adaptation in the face of economic challenges, suggesting that the entrepreneurial landscape in Greece is ripe with opportunities for innovative business ideas that meet the changing needs of consumers.