JULY 2021
SOLD TO
Peer to peer wheelchair-accessible car (“WAC”) rental platform, Wheeliz announces its acquisition by APF France handicap.
Founded in 2015 by Rémi Janot and Charlotte de Vilmorin, Wheeliz tackled the lack of mobility solutions for wheelchair users in France. The startup was supported from inception by MAIF, Keolis as well as Francis Nappez, co-founder of BlaBlaCar. Thanks to their combined expertise and support, Wheeliz quickly became a reference in the adapted transport market, offering a uniquely collaborative and intuitive peer-to-peer WAC platform with 1 500 vehicles and a community of 15 000-people.
By joining APF France handicap, Wheeliz will be able to deploy its service to a far greater number of disabled people thanks to the addition of 600 additional vehicles on the platform.
APF France handicap, through its network of companies, aims to back startups supporting and promoting innovation and inclusion for people with disabilities.
“Having access to an adapted vehicle when you are in a wheelchair is essential for getting around given the lack of accessible public transportation or adapted taxi/VTC services. Our mission is critical because it makes mobility accessible to those who are most deprived of it. We are very proud that APF France handicap is supporting our development to enable us to go further, to increase the number of vehicles offered on the platform and to give more visibility to our service” says Charlotte de Vilmorin.
Alexandre Joulié, Principal VC at MAIF Avenir said: “The MAIF Avenir team is proud of the progress made by Wheeliz since its inception and to have been able to contribute to the development of its service. We are delighted of this alliance with APF France handicap which will allow Wheeliz to structure and accelerate the growth of the business and strengthen the scope of its societal impact”
“Thanks to the support of Madame Sophie Cluzel, Secretary of State for Disabled People to the Prime Minister and Bpifrance, Wheeliz has established itself as an innovative solution to meet the needs of people with disabilities. In collaboration with APF Entreprises‘ TPMR activity, our association already has strong expertise in the field of transport. With the support of our historical and emblematic partners Keolis, MAIF and Francis Nappez, co-founder of BlaBlaCar, who will contribute their expertise to a steering committee, we are confident that we will be able to develop a high-quality adapted transport offer for all beneficiaries” explains Prosper Teboul, Director General of APF France handicap.