A Cambridge-based e-scooter startup is reportedly closing its doors after about a decade in operation.
Superpedestrian is in the process of shutting down its U.S.-based operations and exploring a sale of its European business, according to social media posts by employees and a report by TechCrunch.
Superpedestrian and several company leaders contacted by BostInno have not responded to requests for comment. However, Superpedestrian employees late Tuesday made several posts on LinkedIn confirming that Superpedestrian was shutting down its U.S. operations and laying off staff. LinkedIn posts also indicated Superpedestrian already had laid off some employees about a month ago.
In 2020, following the company’s $60 million investment from the Citi Impact Fund, OurCrowd, Winthrop Square Capital and other investors, the Business Journal reported that Superpedestrian had 135 employees.
An alumni group for former Superpedestrian employees on LinkedIn has more than 85 members.
Superpedestrian spun out from MIT in 2013. The company was known for its "on-board intelligence" system, which it said could enable its scooters to self-detect common malfunctions and provide autonomous maintenance and safety-verification before every ride. CEO Assaf Biderman previously told the Business Journal that Superpedestrian spent about eight years developing its core technology.
In 2020, Superpedestrian acquired the fleet management division of Boston-based Zagster Inc. Following the acquisition of Zagster's scooter business, Superpedestrian launched its own micro-mobility division, called Link. This marked Superpedestrian’s expansion into shared e-scooter operations. The company went on to operate shared scooters in more than 60 cities across 11 countries.
TechCrunch reported that the company’s director of U.S. operations, Alexander Berg, said financial reasons were behind the decision to shut down Superpedestrian.
This comes nearly two years after Superpedestrian announced it closed $125 million of a mixture of debt and equity capital — its largest-ever funding round.
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