But, how does a startup, founded far from the advantages and resources of the world’s tech hubs, go on to reach unicorn status?

And more deeply, just how far can the drive for meaning and purpose ultimately take you?

The inDrive documentary sets out to answer these questions.

In an exclusive premier on Wednesday in Lagos, Nigeria, the inDrive documentary offered audiences a rare glimpse into the heart and soul of the company, with never-before-seen footage and candid stories from the individuals at inDrive’s roots, including Arsen Tomsky, the founder and CEO.

This special content dives deep into their initial vision and the philosophy fueling inDrive.

Viewers will be treated to insightful moments and pivotal turning points that have never been shared publicly, shedding light on the profound impact inDrive has had on communities.

Far from being a run-of-the-mill corporate film, this narrative delves deep into the butterfly effect of positive impact, illustrating how inDrive’s initiatives have rippled through communities, creating waves of change that extend far beyond their initial touchpoints.

In the frozen Yakutsk winter, a group of people band together against the unfair price collusion of taxi companies that leaves people stranded in the cold.

One of them starts a social media group where people can request and offer rides, negotiating prices on their own terms.

It’s a simple enough idea, but it carries the potential to be revolutionary. From this frozen seed, a collective stance against injustice, inDrive takes root.

Today, the company has grown to become the world’s second largest ride-hailing app, operating in over 700 cities in 46 countries, fuelled by deep-seated ideals and ambitions that extend far beyond profit.

inDrive wants to reimagine capitalism, no less: to put people back in control, restore their freedom to choose, and so make their lives better.

Among the heartwarming tales shared, the film follows the journey of Obadiah, a Nigerian boy once enveloped in the despair of his surroundings.

inDrive’s Beginit initiative is now paving the way for a brighter future for him and many others.

Reflecting on the film and its message, Arsen Tomsky, inDrive’s founder and CEO, said:

“We should focus on the path, on the journey. And if you do something important for you, that is very meaningful for you, and you develop an external environment during that journey, you are getting more and more with each step. And that is something which nobody can take from you. Even if you don’t reach a peak, you will have something available to you.”

The production is directed by Lagos/Nairobi-based, Emmy Award winner Dan McCain, and Greekproducer and editor Theo Papadoulakis, each renowned for their individual talents in portraying everyday individuals facing remarkable situations.

Dan is a prolific Pan African filmmaker who specializes in locally relevant and impactful storytelling, while Papadoulakis, recognized with over 70 international accolades, particularly excels in showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

“In making this film with inDrive, we hope to honour the resilience and determination of individuals whose dreams lead to something profound. It’s a privilege to be part of a multi-country international production, collaborating with other talented directors, where we weave together inspiring narratives that add to the epic tale of human potential,” said Dan McCain

Person by person, the documentary tells inDrive’s story. From the remarkable individuals in Nigeria, Indonesia, Mexico and beyond, who use the ride-hailing app to take control of their futures, to the communities who take their chance to move forward.

From Arsen Tomsky, the company’s visionary CEO, who overcomes challenges both personal and social to take an idea to the world, to the employees who come on board to help inDrive evolve and grow, fuelled by shared values and a common goal.

It’s an epic journey, told by connecting people around the world. And it’s far from over.

Watch the inDrive movie here.

inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform operating across 46 countries globally, including nine countries in Africa, has been named the world’s second most downloaded ride-hailing app in 2023, retaining this accolade for a second consecutive year, as revealed by data.ai.

According to the report from data.ai, total downloads of the inDrive app amounted to 66.6 million in 2023, based on Google Play and App Store (China is iOS only).

The report also disclosed that inDrive achieved a notable milestone by ranking as the fourth most downloaded application worldwide in the Travel Category.

Recall that in 2023, data.ai adjudged inDrive to be the most downloaded ride-hailing app in 13 countries with a combined population of over 559 million, including markets like Pakistan, Columbia, Egypt, Peru, and Morocco.

Speaking on the milestone, Arsen Tomsky, founder and chief executive officer, inDrive, explained that the company is excited about the feat, noting that the recognition attests to the hard work and dedication of the team as well as the confidence reposed on the platform by its esteemed users.

“We are delighted that inDrive has maintained its position as the second most downloaded ride-hailing app globally, a testament to the incredible efforts of our team and the trust our users place in us. At inDrive, our super mission is to challenge injustice, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing reliable mobility services at a fair price as we create meaningful earning opportunities for people across the communities where we operate. As we celebrate this milestone, we remember that we measure inDrive’s success not simply by the number of downloads but by the wider impact we make on our communities and the world at large,” Tomsky said.

InDrive continues to enjoy robust growth as it adds new services, including finance, freight, and courier delivery.

Beyond that, the company is also expanding its core ridesharing offering to new geographies. Over the past year, inDrive has launched in 9 African cities, with 7 in Nigeria, 2 in Zimbabwe, and two in the U.S.

In addition, the ride-hailing platform has agreed to start adding electric motorcycles to its fleet in the APAC region and has obtained the local regulator’s permission to offer its services there.

While scaling quickly, inDrive leverages its unique peer-to-peer pricing model to challenge the lack of affordable transportation options and limited earning opportunities, thereby addressing various types of injustice.

 inDrive will benefit from increased financial flexibility thanks to this new funding, which will also help the business to continue its rapid expansion. Earlier, in the year 2021, General Catalyst took part in inDrive’s $150 million Series C investment round, which was headed by Insight Partners.

Arsen Tomsky, inDrive founder and CEO, said: “We are pleased that General Catalyst has again invested in inDrive, enabling us to maintain our high double-digit growth rates, improve the quality of our offering, and develop new business verticals. inDrive is in a strong financial position and has a choice of financing instruments that best suit its requirements. I believe that this financing reflects General Catalyst’s conviction in our ability to continue to successfully expand into new communities and new business verticals in the coming years.”

General Catalyst said in a statement: “General Catalyst is optimistic inDrive is set for sustained growth, and we are excited to back a business that we believe has a strong mission and benefits so many communities around the world. It’s important to us that the investments we make have a positive impact, and inDrive is well placed to do so.”

inDrive continued its rapid growth in 2022, despite a challenging global macro environment, with an 88% year-on-year increase in gross revenue serving as solid evidence of the business’s resilience. 

The number of countries where the company operates reached 47, up from 37 in 2021. inDrive expanded its team to 2,700 employees spread across 17 offices worldwide, with 1,000 newcomers in 2022.

inDrive was the world’s fastest growing international ride-hailing app in 2022, according to data.ai (formerly App Annie).

The app saw a 45% increase in downloads year-on-year, climbing from 42.6 million in 2021 to 61.8 million in 2022 to become the 2nd most downloaded ride-hailing app worldwide based on Google Play and App Store data (China is App Store only).

In 2022, the company launched several new verticals, expanding its offering from passenger and cargo transportation, delivery, and handymen services to include job classifieds and group buying services.

The company recently rebranded from inDriver (Independent Drivers) to inDrive (Inner Drive) to reflect its ambitious mission of Challenging Injustice.