Flinkster

What Flinkster does

Flinkster is a station-based carsharing service operated by Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn AG (Germany's state-owned railway company), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. Founded in 2001 as DB Carsharing and rebranded to Flinkster, the company operates a network of vehicles positioned primarily at Deutsche Bahn train stations across more than 200 German cities and municipalities, with partner-network extensions into the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. The service targets individual consumers, business customers (Flinkster for Business), and Deutsche Bahn BahnCard holders, offering multimodal connectivity between rail travel and road transport.

The core technology platform consists of a smartphone app (iOS and Android) and web portal that enable self-service registration, vehicle search and booking, and digital vehicle access via personal PIN or biometric authentication (fingerprint/FaceID). The fleet primarily comprises Volkswagen vehicles (VW Polo, VW Golf Variant, VW T-Roc) equipped with onboard carsharing units (OBU) providing Bluetooth-based digital locking, GPS positioning, smoke detection, and damage sensors. Following a 2024 migration to the MOQO platform, Flinkster has consolidated its technology infrastructure on a partner-operated system designed to accelerate third-party partner integration. The platform is augmented by an OMQ-powered AI chatbot for customer support knowledge retrieval.

Flinkster's revenue model is purely transactional with no subscription fees beyond a one-time EUR 8.90 registration fee (waived for BahnCard holders). Income is generated from time-based rental fees (EUR 5.90-6.90 per hour, daily caps of EUR 59-69), distance charges (EUR 0.35/km), booking fees (EUR 1.90), and an optional Plus-Schutz damage protection add-on (EUR 14.90 per booking reducing deductible from EUR 1,500 to EUR 300). Pricing is uniform nationwide. The company is funded entirely by its parent Deutsche Bahn AG and does not have independent external capital, external investors, or public financial disclosures.

Name

Flinkster

Legal name

Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH

Website

https://flinkster.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Flinkster is a station-based carsharing service operated by Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH, offering app-based vehicle rental at German train stations and partner-network locations across five European countries to consumers, business customers, and BahnCard holders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Station-based Carsharing Services

NAICS

Taxi and Limousine Service (4853)

SIC

Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)

akta.pro primary industry

Round-Trip Carsharing (Station-Based) (TLAFAMAA)

Keywords

• Station-based carsharing
• Multimodal mobility services
• Corporate carsharing solutions
• App-based vehicle rental
• Train station car rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfort

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vehicle rental fees: Time-based (hourly/daily) and distance-based rental fees. Customers pay per booking based on vehicle class, duration, and kilometers driven. Plus a booking fee per transaction.
2. Weekend and weekly tariffs: Special weekend rates (Sa/So) and weekly packages (e.g., 7 days for 249-299 EUR with 100 free km).
3. Plus-Schutz insurance: Optional damage protection package reducing deductible, charged per booking at 14.90 EUR.
4. Registration fees: One-time registration fee: 8.90 EUR for standard customers, free for BahnCard holders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Flinkster operates a station-based carsharing service with vehicles positioned primarily at train stations across Germany. Customers register and book vehicles via the Flinkster app or website, then access cars using a personal PIN or biometric authentication, with the physical key stored in the glove compartment. The service includes time-based (hourly, daily, weekend, weekly) and distance-based pricing, optional Plus-Schutz damage protection, and is integrated with Deutsche Bahn's rail network for seamless multimodal travel.

Product overview

Flinkster is a station-based carsharing service operated by Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH, offering vehicles primarily located at train stations across Germany. The core offering consists of the Flinkster Carsharing platform accessible via the Flinkster App (iOS/Android), which enables customers to search, book, and access vehicles using smartphone-based PIN or biometric authentication. The product portfolio includes Flinkster for Business (corporate carsharing with multi-user account management), the Flinkster Partner-Netzwerk (partner network extending vehicle availability through third-party carsharing providers), and add-on services such as Flinkster Plus-Schutz (deductible reduction insurance), the seasonal Sommerdeal package, and specialized tariffs like the BahnCard-Tarif for Deutsche Bahn customers. The fleet primarily features Volkswagen vehicles (VW Polo, VW Golf Variant, VW T-Roc) equipped with onboard carsharing technology including GPS tracking, damage sensors, and digital access systems. The 2024 platform migration to MOQO infrastructure improved the customer experience and partner integration capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flinkster Carsharing (Station-Based) Station-based carsharing service where customers book and return vehicles at fixed locations, primarily positioned at train stations across Germany. Vehicles are opened via the Flinkster app with PIN or biometric authentication, and the key is retrieved from a holder in the glove compartment. Fleet includes VW Polo (small), VW Golf Variant, and VW T-Roc (compact) with navigation, climate control, and parking assistance as standard.
• Flinkster App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling vehicle search, reservation, opening via PIN or biometric authentication (fingerprint/FaceID), booking management, and customer service access. The app serves as the primary digital touchpoint for both individual and business customers.
• Flinkster for Business Corporate carsharing program providing flexible mobility for business trips with multi-user account management, cost control, expense management simplification, and 24/7 availability via app or web portal. Designed for companies, freelancers, and self-employed professionals as an alternative to maintaining a company fleet.
• Flinkster Partner-Netzwerk Network of regional carsharing partners across Germany accessible through the Flinkster app without additional registration. Extends vehicle availability beyond Flinkster's own fleet, including Ford Carsharing, Jetzt Mobil, Sheepersharing, meiaudo CarSharing, Prima-Share, EVLdrive, OberSchwabenMobil, Carsharing Passau, VCD Aschaffenburg, CarSharing Erlangen, Coburg Flitzer, Gemeindewerke Wendelstein, eShare.one, Autoparat, Bodenseemobil, SOLIX, and AlpsGo (Italy).

Quantifiable outcome

• Stiftung Warentest grade 1.7 (Very Good) - Testsieger 2015 and 2020
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Daimler / Car2GocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20142014/15 partnership combined Flinkster station-based carsharing with Car2Go free-floating. Created largest German carsharing network with 7,000+ vehicles and 1,000+ stations. Partnership ended but established market leadership.
• Ford / Ford-Händler Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH (FHD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20132013 partnership launched Ford Carsharing as Germany's first nationwide automaker carsharing program. Ford vehicles and dealers integrated into Flinkster network.
• MOQO (Digital Mobility Solutions GmbH)coreTechnology or IntegrationSystem provider partnership for carsharing platform technology. MOQO provides the underlying platform infrastructure for Flinkster's app, website, and booking system. Since 2024, Flinkster transitioned to MOQO system after 23+ years on previous platform, enabling improved customer experience and faster partner integration.
• Ford CarsharingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGermany's first nationwide automaker carsharing partnership. Ford vehicles available through Flinkster app alongside own fleet. Extends coverage through Ford dealer network.
• Jetzt MobilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
• SheepersharingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
• meiaudo CarSharingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (Ökobil e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
• Prima-ShareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (Schröder rent a car) available through Flinkster app.
• EVLdriveminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
• OberSchwabenMobilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
• Carsharing PassauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
• VCD AschaffenburgminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (Kreisverband Aschaffenburg-Miltenberg e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
• CarSharing ErlangenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
• Coburg FlitzerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (SÜC Energie und H2O GmbH) available through Flinkster app.
• Gemeindewerke WendelsteinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
• eShare.oneminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (Next eShare.one GmbH) available through Flinkster app.
• AutoparatminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (e.V.) available through Flinkster app.
• BodenseemobilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner available through Flinkster app.
• SOLIXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional carsharing partner (SOLIX) available through Flinkster app.
• AlpsGominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian carsharing partner operating in Italy, extending Flinkster coverage beyond German-speaking countries.
• ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club e.V.)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerADAC members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration. Promotional partnership targeting automobile club members for carsharing services.
• AvD (Automobilclub von Deutschland)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAvD members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
• VCD (Verkehrsclub Deutschland e.V.)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVCD members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
• ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V.)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerADFC members receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
• VVS (Verkehrs- und Tarifverbund Stuttgart GmbH)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVVS and Polygo subscribers receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
• VRN (Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerVRN subscribers receive 10 EUR driving credit upon Flinkster registration.
• Call a Bike (Deutsche Bahn)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBikesharing service of Deutsche Bahn integrated as complementary mobility option. Complete mobility chain from rail to bike to carsharing for seamless multimodal travel.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Zipcar (Avis Budget Group): Zipcar is the largest carsharing operator in North America and operates in select European markets. Comparable to Flinkster on the round-trip station-based carsharing model and the consumer/B2B subscription-based short-term rental business, but operates primarily outside of Germany.
• Enterprise CarShare: Enterprise CarShare is the carsharing arm of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, operating across multiple countries including Germany. Broader incumbent with deep fleet and operational capabilities, competing in both station-based and free-floating carsharing with corporate and university customers.

Others

• Call a Bike (Deutsche Bahn): Call a Bike is Deutsche Bahn's bikesharing service, operated by the same parent (Deutsche Bahn Connect GmbH) as Flinkster. Comparable as a complementary shared-mobility service within the same DB multimodal ecosystem, often used together with Flinkster for first/last-mile connections.
• MOQO (Digital Mobility Solutions GmbH): MOQO is the platform technology partner for Flinkster since 2024, providing the underlying carsharing SaaS infrastructure. Comparable as an enabling technology provider for station-based and free-floating carsharing operators across Europe, including multiple of Flinkster's regional partners.

Direct peers

• Cambio Carsharing: Cambio is a leading station-based carsharing provider in Germany and Belgium, with a strong footprint in cities like Hamburg, Cologne, and Aachen. Comparable to Flinkster on round-trip station-based carsharing for both private and business customers.
• teilAuto: teilAuto is a German station-based carsharing cooperative with a long history, founded in 1992. Comparable to Flinkster on the station-based, cooperative-led carsharing model and the focus on regional German cities.
• Share Now: Share Now is the largest free-floating carsharing operator in Germany, formed from the merger of car2go and DriveNow. Directly comparable to Flinkster on product category (carsharing), target customer (urban individuals and businesses), and geography (German urban centers), but competes on a one-way, free-floating model versus Flinkster's station-based model.
• Stadtmobil: Stadtmobil is one of Germany's largest station-based carsharing cooperatives, operating in multiple German cities. Closest direct peer to Flinkster on the station-based, round-trip carsharing model and the multimodal urban customer base.
• Ford Carsharing (Ford Auto Service GmbH): Ford Carsharing is Germany's first nationwide automaker-branded carsharing service, integrated within the Flinkster app. Comparable to Flinkster on station-based carsharing, German geography, and the multimodal customer base, with Flinkster's app providing access.
• Sixt Share: Sixt Share is Sixt SE's free-floating carsharing service operating in major German cities. Directly comparable on product (short-term car rental with app-based access), business model (per-minute carsharing), and customer base (urban German consumers and corporate clients).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flinkster_de
• Facebookfacebook.com/flinkster.de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 Flinkster