The Sharing Economy has revolutionized the way we do business, and Frédéric Mazzella, founder of the popular ridesharing platform, BlaBlaCar, is a pioneer of the movement. BlaBlaCar is now one of the leading companies in the Sharing Economy, connecting members who can share costs of long distance rides, and making travel more affordable and efficient.
Frédéric Mazzella was born in France in 1976, and graduated from the renowned École Polytechnique in 1997 with a Masters in engineering. Prior to his entrepreneurial career, Mazzella worked at various companies including Reuters, McKinsey & Company, and the French-Chinese Economic and Commerce Office. In 2006, he quit his job and set his sights on launching a carpooling business.
Although Mazzella was initially uncertain about how to develop his business concept, two years of research and strategy led him to the idea of BlaBlaCar, a website that linked drivers and passengers. BlaBlaCar’s mission was to offer an affordable, easy and safe way for people to travel long distances together. In essence, the company offered a mutualization of costs between them and its users.
Mazzella was living off his savings at the time, and he knew that he couldn’t launch his project without additional resources. He found seed money from the French government and raised $7.5 million from venture capitalists in 2011.
In 2015, BlaBlaCar reached a market valuation of $1.6 billion. BlaBlaCar also expanded to 29 countries, enabling millions of people to share the costs of long distance trips. The social enterprise business model not only lowers the cost of transportation but also helps create jobs in the transportation industry.
Message at its essence, Mazzella’s vision is to create a better and more sustainable world through the sharing of resources. The company has a no environmental emission policy, and its carpooling philosophy revolves around living in solidarity and thriving on human connections. The founder also stresses the importance of safety and security of users, setting the practice of personally verifying each member, and requiring a perfect balance between riders and drivers.
Mazzella has been recognized as a leader in the Sharing Economy and his success in developing BlaBlaCar has driven a new wave of interest in the concept of collaboration and sharing. His initiatives have been awarded Philanthropic and Business Awards, such as the most admired entrepreneur in the areas of energy and environment in Europe in 2013.
In the present day, Frédéric Mazzella is still the Chairman and CEO of BlaBlaCar and a strong voice in the Sharing Economy. He remains committed to his mission of making transportation affordable and accessible while reducing the environmental impact of cars and promoting more sustainable lifestyles.
Since the founding of BlaBlaCar in 2006, Mazzella’s efforts have been a source of inspiration for many entrepreneurs. His success with the business model has also opened doors to other companies in the Sharing Economy, bringing great benefits to individual and corporate customers.
As a pioneer of the Sharing Economy, Mazzella stands as an example of how powerful teamwork and a strong vision can be when it comes to achieving success. His entrepreneurial journey serves as a testament to the potential of collaboration and resource sharing, and, though his specific business model, demonstrates how we can reduce our environmental and economic footprints. His approach to business and life is an example to aspiring entrepreneurs around the world, and his positive contributions to the Sharing Economy are a testament to his commitment to a brighter future.
