How Much Did Zum Raise? Headquarters, Funding & Key Investors

Zum, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, has raised a total of $350 million across multiple funding rounds, reaching a $1.3 billion valuation in 2024. The company’s funding journey includes a $2.5M seed round (2016), $5.5M Series A (2017), $19M Series B (2018), $44M Series C (2019), $130M Series D (2021), and a $140M Series E (2024) led by GIC. Supported by investors like Sequoia Capital, SoftBank Vision Fund, BMW i Ventures, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Zum continues scaling its AI-powered, eco-friendly student transportation platform nationwide.

How Much Did Zum Raise? Funding & Key Investors

Zum is redefining student transportation with a tech-first, eco-conscious approach. Founded in 2015 by Ritu Narayan and Vivek Garg and headquartered in Redwood City, California, Zum combines AI-powered routing, real-time tracking, and a vetted driver network to ensure safe, efficient, and flexible rides for school districts and families. With a total funding of $350M, including a $140M Series E led by GIC that valued the company at $1.3B, Zum is expanding its electric vehicle fleet and scaling its platform nationwide, making school transportation smarter, greener, and more reliable.

What Is Zum and What Does It Do?

Zum, founded by Ritu Narayan and Vivek Garg in 2015, is a California-based company headquartered in Redwood City, California. The company provides safe and efficient child transportation services for school districts and busy families. Zum operates a technology platform offering route optimization, real-time tracking, and communication tools for parents, schools, and drivers, facilitating efficient and safe student transit. Its multi-size fleet includes electric vehicles, enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency.

With a workforce of 101–250 employees, Zum leverages AI-driven scheduling, routing, and fleet management technologies to provide flexible transportation solutions. The company’s focus on safety, reliability, and sustainability has positioned it as a leader in the student transportation space.

How Much Funding Has Zum Raised?

1. Seed Round

Amount Raised: $2.5M
Date: February 2016
Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
Motivation: To kickstart operations and develop the initial technology platform.

2. Series A

Amount Raised: $5.5M
Date: August 2017
Lead Investors: Sequoia Capital
Motivation: To expand service offerings and scale operations.

3. Series B

Amount Raised: $19M
Date: March 2018
Lead Investors: Spark Capital
Motivation: To enhance technology and increase market reach.

4. Series C

Amount Raised: $44M
Date: February 2019
Lead Investors: BMW i Ventures, Spark Capital
Motivation: To further develop the platform and expand into new regions.

5. Series D

Amount Raised: $130M
Date: October 2021
Lead Investors: SoftBank Vision Fund
Motivation: To scale operations and enhance AI capabilities.

6. Grant

Amount Raised: $26.6M
Date: January 2024
Lead Investors: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Motivation: To support sustainability initiatives and electric vehicle integration.

7. Series E

Amount Raised: $140M
Date: January 2024
Lead Investors: GIC
Motivation: To expand AI-driven technology and electric vehicle fleet.

8. Grant

Amount Raised: $32M
Date: June 2024
Lead Investors: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Motivation: To further sustainability efforts and electric vehicle deployment.

Total Funding Raised: $350 Million

Current Valuation: $1.3 Billion (as of Jan 2024)

Latest Funding Date: Mar 2024

Key Investors

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Details: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment. It provides grants and funding to support environmental initiatives and sustainability projects.
Investment Focus Areas: Environmental protection, sustainability, public health.
Notable Investments: Focuses on grants and funding for environmental projects rather than traditional investments.

2. Sequoia Capital

Details: Sequoia Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in early and growth-stage companies. It has a strong track record of backing successful technology startups.
Investment Focus Areas: Technology, healthcare, consumer services.
Notable Investments: Apple, Google, WhatsApp.

3. GIC

Details: GIC is a sovereign wealth fund established by the Government of Singapore. It focuses on long-term investments across various sectors globally.
Investment Focus Areas: Real estate, private equity, infrastructure.
Notable Investments: Alibaba, Airbnb, SpaceX.

4. SoftBank Vision Fund

Details: SoftBank Vision Fund is a venture capital fund that invests in technology-driven companies. It is known for making large-scale investments in innovative startups.
Investment Focus Areas: Technology, artificial intelligence, robotics.
Notable Investments: Uber, WeWork, ByteDance.

5. BMW i Ventures

Details: BMW i Ventures is the venture capital arm of BMW Group. It invests in high-potential startups in the mobility and transportation sectors.
Investment Focus Areas: Mobility, transportation, sustainability.
Notable Investments: ChargePoint, RideCell, Xometry.

Where Is Zum’s Headquarters?

Zum is headquartered in Redwood City, California, providing access to Silicon Valley’s technology ecosystem, talent pool, and investment opportunities.

What’s Next for Zum?

Zum is expanding its AI-powered platform to more U.S. school districts, increasing efficiency and sustainability. With a $1.3B valuation and growing electric vehicle fleet, the company is positioned to transform student transportation into a scalable, environmentally friendly solution. Future growth will focus on fleet expansion, technology enhancements, and increasing adoption of electric vehicles across its services.

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