The ridesharing startup HERide, in Atlanta, Georgia, which was established by two female entrepreneurs, is transforming the transportation sector by putting safety, equity, and innovation for women and non-binary people first. In 2020, Jillian Anderson, a computer science engineer, and her co-founder, DeVynne Starks, vowed to be the first ridesharing firm that was favorable to women. The platform ushers in a new age in ridesharing by providing women-only driver options, larger fare payouts for drivers (80% of each fare), and innovative biometric safety measures.
“It is a major shift in an industry that has historically overlooked women’s safety and earning potential. Despite being a small player in a space dominated by giants, we’re proving that innovation and impact don’t require billion-dollar budgets,”” Starks said” Because Of Them We Can.
The business has already achieved a significant milestone in the five years since its founding. HERide became the only other rideshare company approved to operate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, where 80% of the U.S. population is accessible within a two-hour flight.
By remaining dedicated to safety and equity, the organization has achieved success. HERide has been offering women-only transport alternatives since its inception, highlighting the fundamental principle of its goal and values, whereas Uber and Lyft are only now beginning to do so.
Passenger security has been strengthened thanks to HERide’s strict 1:1 driver onboarding procedure, which guarantees drivers are thoroughly screened. Additionally, they have been implementing cutting-edge biometric safety measures since 2022, showcasing their progressive commitment to rider protection.
The business has a strong zero-tolerance policy against sexual assault, impersonation, and misconduct. They put this policy in place in the hopes that other major players in the industry would do the same. However, only 0.34% of total venture capital funding goes to founders, indicating that access to finance is still difficult. In spite of this, HERide has scaled creatively and independently by gaining important alliances, growing its market share, and using relational capital to increase awareness.
The business successfully secured $80K in a Family and Friends round in 2024, increasing its annual funding to $155K. In order to continue growing, HERide is currently seeking to raise $2.5 million in a pre-seed round in 2025. With over 300 drivers, 50,000 downloads, and 20,000 users, HERide has experienced exponential growth since its first live ride in March 2022. The goal for both Anderson and Starks is to help spark a movement toward safer, more equitable transportation for women and non-binary individuals.
