The News category in the Press Section of the eCabs website

Here one can find informative and interesting articles which the tech mobility company publishes from time to time.

Please click on the photo above each item to access the original article.

eCabs completes €18m white-label ride-hailing platform

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Local cab company eCabs has completed an €18 million development programme for a white-label version of its ride-hailing platform that is set to be used in Romania, the UK and Germany.

The upcoming overseas launches follow an expansion into the Greek market in 2023, when the Maltese company saw its cab app technology rolled out by Athens-based company taxi.gr.

The €18 million development programme is among the largest ever locally funded tech development cycles and was funded by equity provided by eCab’s founders with co-lending support from the Malta Development Bank and BOV, the company said in a statement.

The development cycle saw artificial intelligence (AI) employed to “maximise efficiency and profitability” of fleets using the platform while enabling “seamless” ride hailing and journeys and those dispatched by operators, it said.

The company said the platform was “scalable [and] regulation-adaptive” for use in different markets and provided “real-time data-driven insights” to support decisions taken by businesses operating the technology.

eCabs Technologies CEO and founder Matthew Bezzina called the end of the development cycle a “major step” for the firm and said it would help companies using the platform to scale up their operations and stay competitive.

“Launching in multiple European cities before even completing the full product development cycle shows that there is a need for this solution, and we are now thrilled to be taking our platform to market,” he said.

Announcing the milestone, eCabs said that, with the European ride-hailing market expected to grow from €85 billion to over €140 billion in the next seven years, local operators were under increasing pressure to compete with global platforms.

“With ride-hailing giants under increasing pressure to operate on commercially viable terms, competition is shifting back to reliability, efficiency and brand trust,” said Bezzina.

“This is where traditional operators have an edge, and our platform gives them the technology to make that edge count.”

In November, Bezzina told a United Nations-organised Global Innovation Forum that, while Malta was an ideal location to test out tech start-ups, scaling internationally had traditionally proved to be more difficult – a challenge the company appears to have overcome with the white-label version of its platform.

White-label products are created by manufacturers for use by other companies under their own branding.

Malta-based eCabs Technologies employs some 450 employees and operates around a quarter of a million rides each month.

eCabs partners with L-Istrina to help collect financial pledges

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eCabs will be making 30 vehicles and drivers available to Boxing Day charity telethon L-Istrina, the cab company has said.

The vehicles, which have all been rebranded to raise awareness of L-Istrina, will be used to collect financial pledges from businesses and individuals across the country. Four other eCabs staff members will help coordinate the vehicles throughout the day.

L-Istrina is a 12-hour charity telethon held every year on Boxing Day to raise millions of euros for the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation. Fastdrop, a specialised delivery service provider and part of the eCabs group of businesses, will also contribute vehicles and staff to this initiative.

Mark Mizzi, Head of Finance & Operations at the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, thanked eCabs for its continued partnership. eCabs malta Head of Operations Luke Spiteri said the company was proud to be backing L-Istrina.

Beyond the 12-hour telethon on Boxing Day, eCabs and Fastdrop will also be helping L-Istrina staff collect funds pledged after the Boxing Day event.

eCabs launch 'Cabs bil-Bajd' in aid of male cancer support

eCabs launch ‘Cabs bil-Bajd’ in aid of male cancer support

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eCabs has announced the launch of a new rides category that will support male cancer awareness throughout November. 

It will donate 50 cents from every ‘Cab bil Bajd’ ride to the newly formed Male Cancer Awareness and Support Foundation (MCASF) as it does its part in support of Movember. 

The annual movement highlights male-specific health issues such as prostate and testicular cancer, mental health challenges, and suicide prevention, which eCabs aims to contribute meaningfully to this year. 

The ‘Cab bil Bajd’ category will be offered at the same fare as the popular eCabs GO category, making it both accessible and impactful for passengers who wish to show their support. 

https://www.tiktok.com/@ecabsmalta/video/7433346270913137952

“Movember is a time to take action, and we really wanted to grab this important issue by the balls. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce Cab bil Bajd as a way for our riders to contribute directly to an issue that affects so many men and their families,” eCabs Malta CEO Andrew Bezzina said. 

Gavril Flores, who serves as the chair of the MCASF, expressed his appreciation for the initiative.

“We are grateful to eCabs for aligning with our mission during this pivotal time of awareness.”

“Our focus is to raise awareness and be there for people in challenging times through dedicated support groups so the important aspect of this collaboration is beyond the financial aspect but to help open up conversations about male health, which can often be overlooked. We believe that awareness leads to early detection which can save lives, and for that, we’re thankful.”

Prostate and testicular cancer are among the most common male-specific cancers. Prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men globally, with early detection significantly improving treatment success rates. 

Symptoms often go unnoticed in the early stages, making regular check-ups essential for timely intervention. Testicular cancer, while less common, is the most prevalent cancer in younger men aged 15-35.

It often presents as a painless lump or swelling in the testicles and, like prostate cancer, has a high success rate when diagnosed early.

In the Press:

Times of Malta | Lovin’ Malta | Malta Daily

Women+ category in support of female drivers, riders

eCabs Malta introduces Women+ in support of female drivers, riders

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eCabs has announced a new ride type category operated by women for women that’s geared towards supporting female drivers, promoting passenger safety,  as well as contributing to women’s education and empowerment initiatives.

The app will also donate to women’s education and empowerment through the month of March.

The new Women+ category will give riders the option to select a female driver when hailing a ride on the eCabs app in Malta.For riders, opting for Women+ there will be greater peace of mind, while ETAs and fares will be in line with the eCabs Go category.

Female drivers who opt to participate in Women+ will benefit from a 0% commission rate from 8th to 15th March and a discounted 10% commission for the rest of the month, while carrying out Women+ rides.

Women drivers will also be free to cancel or refuse male riders on Women+ without being penalised.

Set to roll out today Thursday, 7th March, just in time for International Women’s Day, eCabs has also pledged to donate 50 cents from each Women+ ride completed throughout March to the FIDEM Charity Foundation.

Set up in 2018, the FIDEM Foundation provides support and empowerment opportunities to vulnerable people, particularly women, adolescent girls, and children, across Malta and Gozo through life-changing access to education and well-being guidance.

Announcing the new rides category, Andrew Bezzina, Chief Executive Officer of eCabs’ Malta Operation, said the initiative underscores the ride-hailing company’s commitment to promoting safety, peace of mind, and inclusivity across its platform.

“At eCabs we’ve always believed in the importance of encouraging more women to enter this dynamic sector, which is still dominated by men,” he said. “This is why we have decided to launch Women+ and to partner with The FIDEM Foundation – an organisation that lives by the words ‘give a woman a fish and you feed her for a day. Teach a woman to fish and you feed her for a lifetime’.

“We strongly believe in empowering more women to succeed and are thrilled to be partnering with this organisation.” Bezzina added.“It’s time for women to get in the driver’s seat,” he said.“We also believe in offering alternatives for riders who would prefer to choose a female driver. eCabs was set up to build an inclusive and safe ride hailing community and this is another important step in that journey,” Bezzina concluded.

On her part, FIDEM Foundation founder Sabine Agius Cabourdin said she was thrilled to be collaborating with eCabs.”We are honoured that eCabs chose FIDEM Foundation for their Women’s Day fundraising initiative. It means the world to us knowing that we can continue working with vulnerable people who need our help,” she said.“Every cent goes into ensuring that women and adolescent girls can have access to training courses and education that will help them change their lives.” she added.

FIDEM Foundation has helped around 300 women and girls, and sometimes their children too, by covering educational course fees and other costs such as course materials, laptops, uniforms and even transport.“It gives us tremendous satisfaction when we see one of our service users go from homelessness and domestic abuse to graduating from university and thriving in a new career that gives her financial independence. This is how we empower women holistically.” Agius Cabourdin concluded.

Highlights:

  • Swift service: With an estimated average ETA in line with the eCabs Go service, the Women+ category promises timely and efficient rides for all users.
  • Competitive pricing: The pricing for Women+ rides will also be on par with the eCabs Go category.
  • Supporting women empowerment: For every completed Women+ ride in March, 50 cents will be donated by eCabs to FIDEM, a reputable NGO committed to providing education and well-being guidance to vulnerable women. By choosing Women+, you’re not just getting a ride, you’re helping an important social cause.
  • Driver incentives: To encourage participation, there will be a 0% driver commission for the first week on all Women+ rides, followed by a 10% discounted commission until the end of March.
  • Safety first:  The well-being of eCabs users is our top priority and a task we do not take lightly. That’s why we operate a 24/7 support line and in-app safety features – because we are committed to ensuring a secure environment for all stakeholders.

In the press:

Times of Malta | Malta Daily | Lovin Malta

eCabs extends partnership with L-Istrina

eCabs extends partnership with L-Istrina

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eCabs and its sister company Fastdrop announced a logistical partnership with L-Istrina, the annual 12-hour telethon dedicated to raising vital funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

Building on a longstanding commitment to the charitable cause, eCabs said it will this year provide 20 vehicles and 20 professional chauffeurs from noon until the annual telethon closes at midnight.

These vehicles will carry L-Istrina personnel tasked with collecting pledges of financial donations from businesses and individuals all across the island.

Several of the vehicles being used form part of the Fastdrop fleet – eCabs’ sister company specialised in delivery.

Meanwhile, a dedicated team of eCabs logistics experts will also embed with the state IT agency MITA to coordinate routes.

eCabs Malta Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bezzina said that while eCabs has been a long standing supporter of L-Istrina, the company now considers itself an active partner in the event.

“eCabs is a Maltese company, set up to serve the Maltese community. That is why we are thrilled to support L-Istrina every year – a national effort which touches the lives of so many,” Bezzina said.

Fastdrop Chief Executive Officer Greta Borg said the company was pleased to be supporting L-Istrina, as well as providing pro bono logistical support for several other charitable initiatives, including migrant respite organisation MOAS, and Fondazzjoni Sebħ which works with women survivors of violence.

Fastdrop is a last-mile parcel delivery service and forms part of the eCabs group of companies.

Beyond the 12-hour telethon on Boxing Day, eCabs and Fastdrop will also be extending their support for L-Istrina throughout the week, providing crucial logistical assistance in the collection of funds pledged during and after the event.

John Huber, Chairman of the Administrative Board of The Malta Community Chest Fund which organises L-Istrina thanked eCabs and Fastdrop for their commitment.

“It is thanks to the collective efforts of companies like eCabs and FastDrop that we hope to make this year’s edition of L-Istrina another success and I encourage everyone to contribute whatever they can to this initiative,” he said.

L-Istrina, an annual tradition since 1995, serves as a beacon of hope for individuals requiring rare or expensive medical treatment or care.

The funds raised through this telethon empower the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation to make a positive difference in the lives of countless people in the community.

In the press:

The Times of Malta | Lovin Malta

Blue officially launches in Romania, powered by eCabs Technologies platform

Blue officially launches in Romania, powered by eCabs Technologies platform

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Caption: eCabs Technologies CEO Matthew Bezzina (second from right) and Stephanie Portanier Mifsud, eCabs Technologies Cities Product Manager (far left) with the Blue leadership in Bucharest, Romania.

Autonom Drive, the largest mobility operator in the Romanian market has selected the eCabs Technologies platform to launch Blue, a new ride hailing service in Bucharest, Romania.

Powered by the eCabs ride-hailing technology platform, Blue is set to be an important player in shaping the ride hailing landscape in Romania, providing a seamless online ride-hailing solution for riders as well as safe and flexible work for drivers.

Blue is launching its service with a fleet of the latest Tesla Models 3 and Y and is available for download on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Blue officially launches in Romania, powered by eCabs Technologies platform

This is the third territory in which the eCabs ride-hailing platform has been deployed, serving as the backbone for local transport businesses to launch their app-based ride hailing service under their own brand.

The use of eCabs technology in Bucharest, follows the launch of Taxi.gr app in Athens, Greece earlier this month.

With a fleet of over 12,000 vehicles and a workforce exceeding 600, Autonom Drive is a leading corporate in the mobility industry, operating in over 33 cities in Romania and Hungary.

An important player in shaping the ride-hailing landscape

Speaking during the official launch event in Bucharest on Wednesday September 27, eCabs Technologies Founder and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Bezzina said the successful roll-out of the service in Romania with a reputable player such as Autonom, is a strong confirmation of the global grade of eCabs’ technology stack and the capabilities of its people.

The Blue mobility service is set to be an important player in shaping the ride-hailing landscape in Romania, with a more efficient, quality-driven service, and like eCabs’ Malta, operating a unique 24/7 customer care and operations centre.

“We are thrilled to be working with Autonom and its team of professionals on this exciting project in the beautiful capital of Bucharest. The growth potential for Blue is evident, also very much fuelled by Autonom’s serious approach to business. I have no doubt that the strength of our technology platform combined with their focus and corporate stature will deliver exceptional results,” Bezzina said.

“This second launch in a few weeks, comes as we are engaged in discussions with corporate partners in key cities in Europe and beyond, to assist them in venturing into ride hailing business through our unique model, offering 13 years of packaged operational knowledge together with our bespoke multi-channel technology,” he added.

Bezzina added that the vision of taking eCabs Technologies to new heights would not have been possible without the support of the Malta Development Bank.

“The MDB has believed in and supported our internationalisation project from the very start, understanding our relentless drive to take our locally built technology overseas. Each city we launch in is a testament to their trust and support to help finance this growth which has helped make our vision a reality,” Bezzina said.

A safer and reliable service

Blue Managing Partner Andrei Stancu said the transport market in Romania is ripe for change and Blue is poised to deliver a safe, reliable, and affordable solution.

“The ride-hailing market in Romania is typically characterised by low standards of service and old vehicles, fuelled by cheap prices. At Blue, we made the conscious decision to fill and own a gap in the market, offering a safer and reliable round the clock service, using world class tech powering modern, high quality owned and partner fleets” Stancu said.

“After a thorough vendor analysis exercise, we chose to power our brand with the eCabs Technologies platform, and we’ve had an excellent understanding with the eCabs Team from the get-go. We are very optimistic about the future of Blue and the excellent business relationship we have with eCabs Technologies” he added. 

The Romanian Market

Romania’s transportation market presents an exciting opportunity. With a population of over 20 million, and more than 11 million annual tourist arrivals. Whilst Blue has started its journey in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, the plan is for national growth.

And, with a significant portion of Romanian rides still waved down from the curb or booked over the phone, there is major potential for transformation and growth in the ride hailing market. 

Tailor-made tech

Built in one of the world’s densest road networks and most competitive ride-hailing environments, eCabs Technologies provides a unique model in the international white label ride-hailing business – one which combines 13 years of 24/7 intimate operational expertise and a powerful, multi-channel technology platform.

This allows businesses all over the world to use the platform together with eCabs invaluable industry expertise and experience, to successfully launch their brands in any jurisdiction.

In the press:

Times of Malta | Malta Today | Lovin Malta | Who’s Who

eCabs Technologies ride-hailing platform lands in Greece

eCabs Technologies ride-hailing platform lands in Greece

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taxi.gr officially launches in September

eCabs Technologies is set to deploy its ride-hailing platform in Athens, Greece, as it begins taking its industry expertise and operational know-how to new jurisdictions. 

The taxi.gr ride-hailing app, developed at the eCabs headquarters in St Julian’s, Malta, and operated by Intelligent Mobility App S.A. based in Athens, Greece, provides a seamless online ride-hailing solution for riders as well as safe and flexible work for drivers, empowering individuals to move and work on their own terms.

It is the first territory where eCabs Technologies’ ride-hailing platform is being launched with other international jurisdictions also in the pipeline.

eCabs Technologies Founder and Chief Executive Officer Matthew Bezzina said the upcoming launch in Athens in September is the fruition of years of research and development and months of collaboration with its partners in Greece. 

The taxi.gr platform is set to be an important player in shaping the digital transformation of the ride-hailing landscape in Greece.

“We are really proud of what we have created and what the company has accomplished. Growing eCabs from a small three-man start-up in 2010 to a group of companies employing over 400 people and a technology company with industry-leading talent. Now we are excited for eCabs to be flying the Maltese flag in the international ride-hailing industry beyond Malta’s shores,” he said. 

On his part, Manos Koronakos, CEO of Intelligent Mobility App S.A. said, “This is a great opportunity and a perfect time for us to be launching our Taxi.gr ride-hailing platform, in a market that is ripe for digital growth. We are very excited to be working with eCabs Technologies with whom we have forged a great understanding and relationship”. 

Manos Koronakos, CEO of Intelligent Mobility App S.A. with Matthew Bezzina, CEO of eCabs Technologies.

Digitising an offline market

Athens’ transportation market presents an exciting opportunity. 

With a population of well over three million people, and more than six million annual tourist arrivals, the Greek capital has significant potential for growth. 

And, with a significant portion of Greek rides still waved down from the curb or booked over the phone, the ride-hailing options for users remain largely offline. 

Recognising the digital transformation sweeping through the industry globally, eCabs Technologies sought to create a dynamic online solution that caters to the needs of both riders and drivers alike.

“At eCabs Technologies we believe that by digitising the transport sector, we can unlock its potential.  This is what we have been driving towards everyday. Taking our tech to new, exciting jurisdictions like Athens is a big step towards achieving this goal,” Bezzina said. 

Tailor-made tech

The eCabs engineering team in Malta developed a turnkey, white-label tech solution.

This allows businesses all over the world to use the platform together with eCabs industry expertise and experience, to successfully launch their brands in any jurisdiction. 

The tech solution is also developed with bespoke country and city-specific features. 

The taxi.gr platform being launched in Greece for instance, features a new in-app pricing model based on the metering requirements set by Helenic transport regulators. 

eCabs Technologies ride-hailing platform lands in Greece

Bezzina said that all new tailor-made technology components that are developed in Malta for specific countries will further enrich the eCabs Technologies platform.

These features are designed to provide optimal support for international partners through efficient deployment of country-specific features that respect different jurisdictions’ needs and regulations.

Invaluable support

Bezzina said that the objective of taking eCabs Technologies to new heights would not have been possible without the support of the Malta Development Bank:

“The MDB has supported this project from the start, believing in our relentless mission to internationalise and take our locally built technology overseas. We are thankful for their trust and their support to help finance this growth which has helped make our vision a reality.”

To launch taxi.gr in Athens, eCabs Technologies has partnered with a major player in the Greek transportation industry and Bezzina said the eCabs team is excited to be working with them. 

Looking ahead, eCabs Technologies and its Greek partners have ambitious plans to extend the taxi.gr platform across mainland Greece and its islands, providing a convenient and reliable transportation solution to an even broader national audience.

As the partnership evolves, the focus will remain on enhancing the rider experience, providing economic opportunities for drivers, and contributing to the ongoing digital transformation of the transport sector.

eCabs Technologies meanwhile is also engaged in other internationalisation partnership projects and will be releasing further announcements in the coming months. 

“This is an exciting time for us – eCabs is moving from local to international, empowering ride hailing technology beyond its home shores, one partnership at a time,” Bezzina said.

In the Press:

Times of Malta | Lovin Malta | Who’s Who | TVM News | MaltaCEOs | Greek City Times

 

400 evergreen shrubs

eCabs plants 400 evergreen shrubs along St Julian’s promenade

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eCabs has partnered up with the St Julian’s local council to beautify St Julian’s promenade with 400 evergreen shrubs.

More than 400 evergreen shrubs are being planted along the St Julian’s promenade, in a collaboration between eCabs and the town’s local council.

The plants, an evergreen coastal shrub of the myrtle family, will dot the promenade stretching from Spinola Bay to Balluta.

They are being planted and maintained by a landscaper engaged by the St Julian’s local council.

The council partnered with eCabs, which is headquartered in St Julian’s, to acquire the shrubs.

eCabs said it believes that embracing different modes of transport is part of the solution towards improving urban spaces. The company has previously pledged to switch its entire fleet to electric vehicles by 2025.

In the press:

The Times of Malta

No change without political consensus 2

“There is no change without political consensus” – eCabs Technologies CEO

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Speaking at a Times of Malta event titled ‘The Road to Reliable Public Transport’ held on Wednesday 22nd February 2023, eCabs Technologies CEO Matthew Bezzina said that the time has come for certain measures to discourage the ownership of private cars.

However, in order for these measures to be consistent, there needed to be political consensus between the government and other political parties to ensure longevity.

Mr Bezzina stressed that it is no use for one government to agree to implement certain measures only to see them ignored or buried by the subsequent government.

“If we’re going to introduce paid on-street parking, it cannot succeed if it clashes with the car-centric policy we’ve been implementing,” he stated.

Mr Bezzina compared the situation to separated parents who have custody of a child, saying that they both must agree on certain rules. “For instance, if they both say no to junk food, the child benefits overall. This is the kind of political consensus that we need.”

The real cost of ‘public real estate’

Mr Bezzina also highlighted that parked cars are taking up an overwhelming amount of public space. Here again, political consensus was needed to find a solution, he said. He noted that parking spaces take up two-thirds of Maltese roads. Moreover, 75 percent of parked cars are on public land.

“Those could be bus lanes, scooter lanes, wider pavements, or avenues of trees. We have to see the opportunity in these spaces and truly consider the cost of this public real estate. What can we do with all this space that cars are occupying without contributing anything?”

One solution could lie within the ride hailing industry, as part of a transport mix towards sustainable multimodality that can unclog the roads on the densest country in the EU.

No change without political consensus

Other speakers at the event included Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Dr Aaron Farrugia, economist Marie Briguglio, Malta Public Transport General Manager Konrad Pulé, and Head of Geography and Director of the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable Development at the University of Malta Professor Maria Attard.

You can read more and watch the full event here.

eCabs internationalisation

eCabs primed for internationalisation by June 2023

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eCabs, Malta’s very own and only flag bearing ride-hailing platform powered by its proprietary technology and innovation powerhouse Cuorium Technologies, expects to reach its first landmark milestone in its internationalisation efforts by June 2023.

With consistent investment in technology talent and an unwavering resolve to expand in major EU cities, eCabs is now yielding the goals that could elevate Malta’s corporate and technology credentials on an international scale.

Business Today sat down with Matthew Bezzina, Chief Executive Officer at Cuorium Technologies and Luca Di Michele, Chief Technology Officer, to grasp an insight into one of the most exciting commercial ventures growing in Malta, charting the path for the eCabs flag to be sported in European cities.

Recently, eCabs has undergone a significant restructuring of its operations. Luca was promoted to Chief Technology Officer at eCabs. Matthew moved on to become the CEO of Cuorium Technologies while Andrew Bezzina was named the CEO of eCabs.

How did this major transformation come about?

Luca Di Michele: In 2019 I spearheaded the establishment of our proprietary ride hailing technology. Three years have flown by like a flash. It is extremely satisfying to look back and see how much ground we have covered and the growth we have achieved, moving us far ahead enough to make this quantum leap into the international market. During this period, we have gone through exciting phases of renewal and transformation, building a highly competent, enthusiastic team of dedicated professionals who are driven by an incredible passion and the ambition for creating ahead-of-the-curve mobility technologies and solutions.

Matthew Bezzina: Our joint efforts have resulted into impressive growth, despite the international economic climate and the upheaval caused by the pandemic. Faced with these challenges we had some fundamental choices to make. We could have either retrenched and focused on keeping on winning the local market battles or aspire to become an international brand in mobility technology and provision of ride-hailing services. We could have decided to do like many others and just invest in property or take the plunge and the risk that comes with a significant shareholder investment of €7 million. Today, we are reaping the first dividends of these decisions, wherein despite all the headwind we faced we now have a platform created in Malta that is ready to go beyond our borders and proudly fly our national flag in this growing tech driven industry.

How does this restructuring effort feature in the growth path of the Company and its platform?

MB: Our organisation’s transformation journey started kicked off in 2017 and has been through multiple iterations. However it was towards the end of 2019 that we really changed gears and growth accelerated in a flywheel effect as soon as the pandemic hit the globe. The pandemic had the effect of a giant pause button on the industry which gave us the space to shape our platform, build a multicultural team, spin-off a technology company with one of the largest cadre of developers on the island and start charting the path towards our international aspirations. The bottom line was that of thinking out of the box, keep eyes on the ball and act with agility.

LDM: My development team has grown from an in-house cosy group of four people to a more than 50-strong talented team serving as the foundation, engine and R&D for our own technology platform. What each one of us at eCabs Technologies learns is that working here brings a massive advantage for technologists to test their skills against the world’s best, whilst learning, developing themselves, and growing into leadership positions as the company matures.

“A huge competitive advantage”

MB: An essential part of this success has also been the huge competitive advantage of having everything we need from an operational perspective within a 100-meter radius. Our headquarters practically resemble a giant laboratory with the ability to have on-field testing and instant feedback of results. We have also been blessed with the immeasurable benefit of direction from over a decade of operational knowledge and experience which facilitates development and improvements at speed, whilst competing with the world’s largest and most-funded players. Competing with the ilk of Bolt and now Uber has been a blessing with both companies backed by billions of Euros in funding, respectively. We’re playing in the champions’ league, which forces us to be the absolute best we can be and always aspire to be better and measure up against these technology giants.

What are the tangible results of your organisation’s development approach?

LDM: Our investments in Cuorium Technologies and eCabs have made us a considerable technology and software development business dedicated to mobility. We can stand out in the local market based on such a solid foundation.

MB: For the last two years we have been very busy reinventing our platform with our own IP and closing the gaps we needed to realise our ultimate vision. We brought the pre-pandemic consumer app experience up to the highest degree with multiple improvements in terms of usability, automation, system robustness and features, enabling our platform to be more competitive.

LDM: We also built the entire partner driver model from scratch and the extensive technology that is behind it. All these technologies are in a constant state of evolution and improvement. In this respect we have started our journey to take our technology to its next evolutionary chapter in machine learning, a project that allows our teams to leverage a multitude of our data points in the Google Cloud Learning Platform. This evolution gives us real-time, machine-enabled analysis and actions to scale quickly through big data driven decisions, as we integrate our proprietary technology with Google’s platform. The technology is in a constant state of evolution which will keep maturing and requiring best of breed talent who are eager to challenge themselves.

What are the challenges that you expect to face in the international markets?

MB: We are in a quickly evolving market of fierce competition fuelled by an ever-increasing demand for various mobility solutions as city-dwellers are more likely to leave their own cars behind, seeking alternatives to public transport for shorter and faster urban journeys.

LDM: When we made a tough decision to rebuild all our technology assets to establish our own intellectual property platform, we managed to create proprietary technology, supporting our great achievements in Malta as a unique multi-booking platform. Whilst the app market is set to grow from a current 40% to 46% by 2025 in the EU, the market is still dominated by traditional ride hailing booking means, and our platform uniquely offers the best of both worlds. We expect to leverage the capabilities and power of our one-of-a-kind platform and transpose it in other jurisdictions.

MB: We are also cognisant of the challenge that international markets hold for us, despite being firm believers in our platform, technology, and people. Global market penetration is always difficult for Maltese companies as our local market is small and isolated. Yet, we see our success in the local market, which is saturated by mobility solutions from international tech giants, as a testament to our international competitiveness on equal footing. We know that our IP is driving us to differentiate ourselves in international markets with positive feedback from foreign investors, whose due diligence has identified the eCabs platform as unique and at par with the best-in-class.

What can support you in being successful internationally?

LDM: As we are growing into one of the largest software firms in Malta exclusively dedicated to the development of our mobility innovations and technology solutions, we also keep onboarding further highly skilled professional talent to support the expansion of our expertise in, but not limited to, machine learning, data science, cloud-computing, cloud-based architecture, edge-environment management, internet of things application integration and mapping services.

MB: Our ambitious journey off the shores of Malta will be supported by our dedicated multicultural teams. They are committed to developing flagship technology and innovative solutions, making it available across cities globally as we expand. Of course, the perennial challenge to raise finance for technology products remains an uphill struggle which however we are confident will be overcome with the priceless support of the financing institutions. 2023 will make the start of this new chapter a reality for the Company, our employees and our country.

In the press:

Business Today