SmartRyde

What SmartRyde does

SmartRyde, Inc. is a Tokyo-headquartered B2B ground transportation marketplace founded in 2017 by Sota Kimura. The company operates a two-sided platform that aggregates pre-booked private airport transfer services from 650+ transportation operators across 700+ airports in 150+ countries, then distributes that inventory to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), airlines, travel agencies, and other travel sellers. The platform has served more than 3 million customers since inception and earns revenue primarily through marketplace commissions on bookings, supplemented by platform/API service fees to integration partners and transaction-based fees from corporate co-branded and loyalty partnerships.

The company's core technology stack centers on a Demand Partner API and a Global Distribution System (GDS) purpose-built for airport transfers rather than adapted from airline GDS. The API enables OTAs and airlines to surface transfer inventory during flight and hotel booking flows; the GDS provides real-time reservation, ticketing, and vehicle allocation management between operators and travel platforms. Add-on modules include a MaaS (Mobility as a Service) solution developed in collaboration with ANA that integrates transfers with airline loyalty programs, and an EV-only transfer service launched with MK Group at Kansai International and Itami airports.

The go-to-market motion is API-first and partnership-led, with minimal direct consumer marketing. Distribution is anchored in named enterprise relationships with Booking.com, Expedia, Trip.com, Traveloka, Despegar, ANA, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, AirAsia MOVE, Mozio, Splyt (Grab integration), and as of November 2025 the Amadeus Transfers platform. The customer base is horizontal across travel sellers, airlines, and transportation operators, with secondary distribution through banking partners (Bank Mega) and card partners (JCB Travel). The company is privately held, venture-backed (Angel Bridge, NVC No.1 LLP, SMBC Venture Capital, Yamaguchi Capital, among others), and registered as a Type 2 travel agency in Tokyo.

Name

SmartRyde

Legal name

SmartRyde, Inc.

Website

https://smartryde.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SmartRyde is a Tokyo-based B2B marketplace that aggregates pre-booked private airport transfers from 650+ operators across 700+ airports in 150+ countries and distributes them via API to OTAs, airlines, and travel sellers including Booking.com, Expedia, ANA, and Amadeus.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ground Transportation Marketplace

NAICS

Travel Agencies (561510)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground Transport Booking Platforms (Rail/Bus/Shuttle) (THALAFAD)

Keywords

• Airport transfer services
• Ground transportation platform
• B2B travel marketplace
• Travel API integration
• Mobility as a service

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Airport Transfer Booking Commission: SmartRyde operates as a marketplace connecting transportation operators (taxi, private car services) with OTAs and travelers. The company earns commission on bookings facilitated through its platform across 700+ airports globally.
2. API/Platform Services to Partners: Revenue generated from API integrations with OTAs, airlines, and travel platforms. Partners access the airport transfer network through the Demand Partner API, paying for the technology infrastructure and booking facilitation.
3. Corporate Partnerships and Loyalty Programs: Partnerships with airlines (ANA, Singapore Airlines, Garuda Indonesia) for co-branded services, mileage programs, and exclusive offers to their customers

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

SmartRyde operates a B2B pre-booked airport transfer marketplace that connects ground transportation operators with online travel agencies, airlines, and travel agencies. The company aggregates 650+ transportation suppliers across 700+ airports in 150+ countries and exposes this inventory through its Demand Partner API and Global Distribution System (GDS) for partner integration. Travelers can book private airport transfers through partner platforms or directly via SmartRyde's website.

Product overview

SmartRyde is a B2B airport transfer marketplace platform providing pre-booked private airport transfer services to over 700 airports in more than 150 countries. The core product is the SmartRyde Platform which connects transportation operators with OTAs, airlines, and travel agencies. The platform architecture includes the Demand Partner API for partner integration and a Global Distribution System (GDS) for ground transportation. Add-on modules include MaaS (Mobility as a Service) solutions developed in collaboration with ANA, offering seamless air-land mobility integration with exclusive discounts and mileage programs, as well as EV Transfer Services on select routes supporting sustainability goals. The platform serves customers through partnerships with major OTAs, airlines, and travel agencies globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SmartRyde Platform B2B pre-booked airport transfer marketplace connecting 650+ transportation operators with OTAs, airlines, and travel agencies, providing airport transfer services to over 700 airports in more than 150 countries and serving travelers globally.
• Demand Partner API API product enabling Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) and airline companies to access SmartRyde's airport transfer network and offer airport transfer services during hotel reservations and flight bookings, designed to increase partner profits through seamless integration.
• Global Distribution System (GDS) Online network connecting travel agencies and travel-related service providers such as airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies worldwide, enabling real-time reservations and ticket issuance specifically for ground transportation and airport transfers.
• MaaS (Mobility as a Service) Solution Collaborative solution with ANA providing seamless air and land mobility experience, including airport transfer services integrated with airline bookings, exclusive discounts, and mileage program integration across multiple ANA international routes.
• EV Transfer Service Electric vehicle designated airport transfer service on select routes, operating Hyundai IONIQ 5 vehicles on Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport to Kyoto City routes, supporting both companies' sustainability goals including SmartRyde's target of 100% EVs on platform by 2030.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served more than 3 million customers since founding in 2017
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary and core.

• Bank MegasecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 May 2026Strategic partnership to provide SmartRyde's airport transfer services to Bank Mega Mega First priority customers. The collaboration offers exclusive deals on airport transfer services across the world when customers travel.
• AmadeuscoreTechnology or Integration · 19 November 2025Strategic integration as a provider through Amadeus, enabling SmartRyde's airport transfer services to be available through Amadeus Transfers. This partnership enables travel sellers worldwide to offer seamless ground transportation as part of their travel itineraries. Initially launching in Japan and South Korea, with plans to expand globally.
• JCB TravelsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 November 2025Partnership offering 10% discount on airport transfers for JCB Travel customers (as mentioned in Japanese news page).
• MK Group (Kyoto MK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 September 2024Partnership to launch EV (Electric Vehicle) designated airport transfer service on select routes (Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport to Kyoto City). Aligned with both companies' SDGs goals - Kyoto MK aims for 100% ZEV by 2030, SmartRyde aims for 100% EVs on platform by 2030.
• AirAsia MOVEcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 August 2024Partnership integrating SmartRyde's airport transfer services into AirAsia MOVE app. This transforms travel experience for millions of passengers in ASEAN region by combining AirAsia's vast network with SmartRyde's global coverage and quality pre-booked private airport transfers.
• ANA (All Nippon Airways)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2024Collaboration to develop MaaS (Mobility as a Service) solution for seamless airport transfers. Includes 20% discount for ANA customers and ANA Card Miles Plus integration. Expanded to 5 ANA routes including Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Singapore, and Manila.
• Garuda IndonesiacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 7 August 2024Partnership to provide seamless international travel experience through pre-booked airport transfer services available on FlyGaruda app. Service covers Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Incheon, Haneda, Narita, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.
• Singapore AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 August 2024Partnership offering 20% discount on airport transfers exclusively for Singapore Airlines HighFlyer members and corporate program contract companies in Japan. Available at 14 designated airports globally.
• CDG ZigsecondaryGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 September 2023Partnership to provide SmartRyde's pre-booked airport transfers within CDG Zig app, initially in Singapore with expansion to other countries globally.
• Demand Partner APIcoreTechnology or Integration · 9 April 2023New product launch enabling OTAs and airline companies to access SmartRyde's airport transfer network through API integration, offering airport transfer services during hotel and flight bookings.
• SplytcoreTechnology or Integration · 11 July 2022Integration into Splyt's global mobility network allowing travelers to pre-book airport transfers through super apps like Grab. First integration allowing airport transfer booking from Grab platform.
• Nippon Travel AgencysecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 July 2022Partnership enabling Nippon Travel Agency customers to book SmartRyde airport transfers when purchasing dynamic package tours. Starting with Hawaii and expanding to Guam, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and the US.
• MoziocoreTechnology or Integration · 31 August 2020Full API integration expanding shared content. SmartRyde provides airport transfer inventory in 500+ cities in 150 countries to Mozio's platform, while gaining access to Mozio's ground transportation options.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Suntransfers: Suntransfers is a Spain-based airport transfer booking platform distributing transfers globally via OTAs and travel agents. It directly competes with SmartRyde on the B2B distribution of pre-booked airport transfers across similar geographic corridors.
• Blacklane: Blacklane provides pre-booked chauffeur and airport transfer services globally, serving both B2C travelers and B2B partners including airlines and corporate travel programs. It competes with SmartRyde in the premium pre-booked airport transfer category and has airline partnership programs analogous to SmartRyde's.
• Mozio: Mozio is a ground transportation aggregator and API platform that connects travelers with airport transfers, taxis, and shuttles globally. It is a direct peer — both companies operate B2B ground-transport marketplaces serving OTAs and airlines, and SmartRyde is already an inventory partner on Mozio.
• Welcome Pickups: Welcome Pickups is a pre-booked airport transfer and in-destination services provider operating across many European, North American, and Asian cities. It is a direct peer offering comparable pre-booked airport transfer products with similar B2B2C and OTA distribution models.
• Jayride: Jayride is an Australian-headquartered airport transfer marketplace that aggregates local transfer operators and sells through travel agents and OTAs worldwide. It directly competes with SmartRyde in the B2B airport-transfer aggregation space with similar marketplace economics.
• Kiwitaxi: Kiwitaxi is an international airport transfer booking platform distributing transfers through OTAs, travel agencies, and direct channels across Europe, Asia, and emerging markets. It is a direct peer competing for similar supplier networks and OTA distribution slots.

Broad incumbents

• Booking.com Transfers: Booking.com operates an in-house Transfers product (built on the acquired Hoppa platform) that competes directly with SmartRyde across many of the same routes and corridors. As a SmartRyde customer, Booking.com is both a partner and the most credible internal-build threat.
• Grab: Grab is a Southeast Asian super-app offering ride-hailing, airport transfers, and mobility services. SmartRyde already distributes through Grab via Splyt, making Grab a partial channel partner and a broad incumbent competitor in regional airport transfer demand.
• Careem: Careem (a Uber-owned super-app) operates airport transfer and ride-hailing services across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. It is a broad incumbent competing with SmartRyde for both supply-side operators and demand-side partnerships in regions where SmartRyde operates.

Emerging players

• Splyt: Splyt is a mobility integration platform that connects ground transportation providers with super-apps like Grab and global travel platforms. It is both a SmartRyde partner and a partial competitor, since it aggregates airport transfer supply that overlaps with SmartRyde's inventory.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartryde
• Xx.com/ryde_smart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors11 records

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 SmartRyde