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§ Private Profile · San Francisco, CA, USA
Lime is a technology company.
Lime operates a global shared micromobility platform, providing on-demand rentals of electric scooters and bikes. The company offers convenient and accessible short-distance urban transportation. Integrating electric two-wheelers into city infrastructure, Lime delivers scalable mobility solutions for daily commute and travel needs across metropolitan areas.
Founded in January 2017 by Toby Sun and Brad Bao, Lime began with the insight into enhanced urban accessibility. The co-founders saw an opportunity for smart, affordable, and available personal mobility in dense environments. This led to a system offering flexible electric vehicle alternatives, addressing gaps in traditional transport.
Lime serves urban residents and visitors seeking flexible, eco-friendly travel for short distances. Its offerings appeal to those desiring practical, cost-effective alternatives. The company's mission is to build a future where urban transportation is shared, affordable, and carbon-free, promoting sustainable mobility and reshaping city navigation.
Lime has raised $2.1B across 11 funding rounds.
Key people at Lime.
Lime was founded in 2017 by Brad Bao (Co-Founder and Exec. Chairman).
Lime has raised $2.1B in total across 11 funding rounds.
Lime has raised $2.1B across 11 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $523.0M Debt / Other Equity in November 2021.
Key people at Lime.
Lime is a micromobility company that builds and operates fleets of shared electric scooters and e-bikes for short-distance urban travel.[1][2][3] It serves city dwellers seeking affordable, eco-friendly alternatives to cars for "last-mile" transportation, solving problems like traffic congestion, pollution, and over-reliance on personal vehicles through an app-based system for seamless access.[1][2][5] Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Lime has scaled rapidly since 2017, operating in over 280 markets worldwide, surpassing 500 million rides, and raising over $750 million in funding, with a strong emphasis on sustainability.[3][6]
Lime was founded in January 2017 as LimeBike by Toby Sun and Brad Bao, UC Berkeley alumni who grew up in China and shared a vision for sustainable urban transport.[1][2][3] Sun, with an MBA from Berkeley and entrepreneurial experience, and Bao, with a background at Tencent and expertise in business strategy, launched with dockless pedal bikes amid a bike-sharing boom.[2][3][6] They quickly pivoted to electric scooters by June 2018, rebranding to Lime to reflect a broader micromobility focus, driven by demand for efficient, green short-trip solutions.[1][4]
Andrew Savage joined early as a founding member, contributing to market expansion, government relations, and operations, helping build the core team of 7-8 people that emphasized collaboration over solo heroism.[4][6] Pivotal moments included navigating intense competition, custom hardware development, and city partnerships to address urban mobility challenges.[4][7]
Lime rides the micromobility trend, capitalizing on the shift from car-centric to people-centric urban transport amid rising congestion, pollution, and demand for shared, electric solutions.[2][3][5] Timing was ideal post-2017 dockless bike boom, evolving into scooters as cities sought last-mile fixes for public transit.[1][4][6] Favorable forces include smartphone ubiquity, sustainability mandates, and investor interest in green tech, enabling Lime to pioneer scalable fleets and influence policy for integrated mobility.[3][6] It shapes the ecosystem by cutting emissions, fostering multimodal transport, and setting standards for hardware innovation in a competitive field.[7]
Lime's long-game strategy—custom tech, sustainability, and city partnerships—positions it as a micromobility leader, with potential for seated scooters and further emission reductions.[7] Trends like electrification mandates, urban densification, and AI-optimized fleets will propel growth, possibly expanding into e-bikes or autonomous options. Its influence may evolve by driving industry consolidation and policy shifts toward greener cities, fulfilling founders' vision of livable urban spaces.[2][5] From zesty green scooters alleviating daily commutes, Lime exemplifies how smart mobility injects vibrancy into city life.[1]
Lime was founded in 2017 by Brad Bao (Co-Founder and Exec. Chairman).
Lime has raised $2.1B in total across 11 funding rounds.
Lime's investors include Abu Dhabi Growth Fund, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Highbridge Capital Management, Dara Khosrowshahi, UBS, Bain Capital Ventures, Google Ventures, Uber, Founder Collective, Leawood Venture Capital, Sarah Smith Fund, Sinai Ventures.
