What Empower does

Empower (legal entity Yazam Inc., d/b/a Empower) is a privately held Virginia-based software company that operates a subscription-based rideshare marketplace. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in McLean, VA, Empower runs a two-sided mobile platform with separate driver and rider iOS/Android applications, dispatch logic, and a Stripe-integrated instant-payout payment layer. Its core differentiation is a zero-commission SaaS model: drivers pay a monthly subscription fee (approximately $50/month in NYC, with tiered Daily, Monthly Flex, and Monthly Platinum plans in DC metro) and retain 100% of fares they set themselves, while riders pay roughly 20% less than Uber or Lyft on average. The platform includes ride-filter features (destination, max pickup ETA, chained-ride) and rider-side features (same-gender/favorite driver matching, multi-stop, lost item).

Empower's go-to-market is product-led and community-led: a 30-day free trial drives self-serve driver acquisition, while grassroots organizing, rallies, and referral incentives ($10+ free rider credits, $30 driver referral credits) drive virality. The company has scaled to six U.S. markets (DC metro, NYC, Baltimore, Miami, Houston, and North Carolina's Greensboro/Winston-Salem), accumulating 25M+ rides, 750K+ registered riders, and $450M+ in cumulative driver earnings, with approximately 25 employees. Revenue is generated solely from driver subscription fees; the company is venture-backed, having raised approximately $10.1M across multiple rounds from 2019 to 2022, with board representation from Protocol Investments (Brent Thompson) and Rock Creek Wealth (Lewis Baker). Empower has pursued an aggressive regulatory posture, winning a DC court ruling in October 2025 but facing ongoing legal challenges from the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission.

Name

Empower

Legal name

Yazam Inc.

Website

https://driveempower.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Empower operates a subscription-based, zero-commission rideshare marketplace where TLC-licensed drivers pay a monthly fee and keep 100% of fares they set, while riders pay approximately 20% less than Uber or Lyft across six U.S. metro markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rideshare Software Platform

NAICS

Taxi and Ridesharing Services (485310)

SIC

Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro primary industry

Ride-Hailing Platform Technology Providers (White-Label, Dispatch, Payments) (THADADAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

On-Demand Private Ride-Hailing (Solo Rides) (THADADAA)

Keywords

• Rideshare software platform
• Subscription-based rideshare
• Zero-commission mobility
• Driver subscription SaaS
• Ride-hailing mobile app

Headquarters

HQ city

Mclean

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Driver Subscription (SaaS): Drivers pay a monthly subscription fee to access Empower's software platform. Empower takes ZERO commission from fares. Subscription fees are the sole revenue stream, with different tiers (Daily, Monthly Flex, Monthly Platinum) based on driver earning levels. 30-day free trial for new drivers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Empower operates a subscription-based rideshare software platform that allows independent drivers to set their own rates and keep 100% of fares while paying Empower a monthly or daily subscription fee. The platform consists of separate Driver and Rider mobile apps (iOS/Android) that match riders with subscribing drivers, with Empower taking zero commission on fares. Riders save approximately 20% versus Uber/Lyft and can request favorite or same-gender drivers for safety.

Product overview

Empower is a rideshare platform operating on a subscription-based SaaS model that distinguishes itself by allowing drivers to set their own rates and keep 100% of fares. The core offering consists of the Empower Driver App and Empower Rider App, connected through a proprietary software platform. Drivers pay a monthly or daily subscription fee (Daily, Monthly Flex, or Monthly Platinum plans) for access to dispatch services, ride filters, and support. The platform also includes an Earnings Calculator tool and supports the Driver Support Fund charitable initiative. Empower competes directly with Uber and Lyft by offering drivers approximately 50-100% more earnings while charging riders approximately 20% less than competitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Empower Driver App Mobile application for independent for-hire drivers to manage their own rideshare business on Empower's platform. Drivers set their own rates, keep 100% of fares, configure ride filters (destination, max pickup ETA, chained rides), receive referrals, and collect earnings via Stripe Instant Payouts.
• Empower Rider App Mobile application for consumer riders to book on-demand rides from Empower's network of subscribing drivers. Riders save approximately 20% versus Uber/Lyft, can request favorite or same-gender drivers, use multi-stop functionality, and receive digital receipts.
• Driver Subscription Plans Tiered subscription pricing for drivers to access Empower's software, dispatch, and support services. Includes Daily, Monthly Flex (under ~$3,000/month earnings), and Monthly Platinum ($3,000+/month earnings) tiers, with NYC drivers paying approximately $50/month and a 30-day free trial for all new drivers.
• Earnings Calculator Online web-based tool that allows prospective and current drivers to compare their potential earnings on Empower versus driving for Uber or Lyft, segmented by market area, supporting driver acquisition and conversion.

Quantifiable outcome

• Drivers earn 100% of fares vs. ~50% with Uber/Lyft
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Uber: Uber is the dominant ride-hailing platform in the US, operating an on-demand private ride-hailing marketplace with a commission-based driver model. Empower competes head-to-head for the same drivers and riders in DC, NYC, Baltimore, Miami, and Houston, positioning itself as the zero-commission alternative.
• Lyft: Lyft is the #2 US ride-hailing platform, charging drivers roughly 50% commission on fares. Empower explicitly benchmarks its driver earnings and rider pricing against Lyft, and the company's grassroots campaigns ('Delete Uber, Download Empower') target Lyft drivers in the same metro markets.
• Curb: Curb (formerly Taxi Magic) is an e-hailing taxi aggregator that connects licensed yellow and green taxi drivers with riders through a mobile app. It is a DIRECT_PEER because it operates in the same NYC TLC-licensed ecosystem that Empower has collided with, and competes for similar pro-driver positioning in the licensed-for-hire space.

Emerging players

• Revel: Revel is a NYC-based electric rideshare and charging operator that employs (rather than contracts) its drivers as W-2 workers. It competes with Empower in NYC specifically and represents an alternative model for fixing driver economics that Empower's subscription approach also targets, though via opposite means (full employment vs zero commission).
• Alto: Alto is a subscription-based rideshare service where riders pay a monthly membership for access to a chauffeured, W-2-employed driver fleet. It is an EMERGING_PLAYER because, like Empower, it disrupts commission rideshare via a subscription model — but inverts who pays (riders vs drivers) and operates in limited Texas markets.
• Wingz: Wingz is a scheduled, flat-rate airport and long-distance ride service that enables drivers to set their own rates and schedules. It shares Empower's pro-driver, rate-control philosophy but focuses on pre-booked airport rides rather than on-demand urban mobility, making it an emerging player in the same driver-empowerment category.

Broad incumbents

• Via: Via is an established ride-pooling and on-demand transit platform serving municipalities, transit agencies, and enterprises. It overlaps with Empower on the demand-responsive ride-hailing layer but operates primarily through institutional partnerships rather than consumer-driver matching, making it a broader incumbent in the same space.
• Gett: Gett is a global ground transportation management platform serving enterprise clients with corporate taxi and black-car services. It overlaps with Empower as an on-demand ride-hailing platform serving professional drivers but differentiates through B2B focus and corporate fleet management rather than consumer marketplace dynamics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ride_empower
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcPV0CyYTSWMTNHvpXlDqbA
• Facebookfacebook.com/rideempower
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rideempower
• Instagraminstagram.com/ride_empower

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Empower