Germany

When the German Government announced it was going to deregulate the bus market, three friends started brainstorming on how they could capitalize on this once in a lifetime opportunity. By 2013, André Schwämmlein, Jochen Engert and Daniel Krauss were ready to launch FlixBus, a digitized “reliable, affordable, green” bus service that has quickly become Europe’s largest intercity bus network, helping over 100 million people reach their destination.

The trio’s first decision was to design a completely unique business model. FlixBus would run the entire operation — scheduling, network planning, branding, marketing, IT, ticketing and customer service — but partnerships with established bus networks would provide the buses and the drivers. The founders also ensured the business had the latest technology such as an e-ticketing system, a FlixBus app, free Wi-Fi on board and GPS live tracking.

Their fresh approach has resulted in radical growth. The workforce has grown to over 1,200 employees, as well as the 7,000 bus drivers employed by partner bus companies. They now offer over 350,000 daily connections in 29 countries, and in 2018 they launched FlixTrain to expand their FlixMobility service into the rail industry.