Meili Announces Strategic Partnership with FREENOW

Pictured at NovaUCD is Mike McGearty, CEO, Meili.

Meili Announces Strategic Partnership with FREENOW

Meili, the innovative travel technology platform which aims to reinvent partnerships within the global mobility industry, has announced its strategic partnership with FREENOW, Ireland’s leading multi-mobility app. This pan-European partnership will see Meili's unique technology enable FREENOW to expand its current in-app offering, allowing passengers to rent vehicles from premium global car rental brands via the FREENOW app.

As a strategic technology partner, Meili will play a pivotal role in expanding FREENOW’s mobility offering across Europe allowing passengers to choose from a variety of mobility services through a single, intuitive app.

The addition of car rental booking on the FREENOW app in Ireland will complement other booking options including regular taxis, EV taxis, and Tier eBikes in Dublin. Meili's dynamic solution seamlessly integrates with FREENOW's platform, allowing users direct access to a diverse fleet of top-tier vehicles from renowned car rental providers.

This partnership brings together two pioneers in the tech and mobility sectors, creating synergies that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for millions of users.

Meili headquartered at NovaUCD in Dublin was co-founded by Mike McGearty and Bobby Healy.

Mike McGearty, CEO, Meili said, "We are thrilled to join forces with FREENOW to offer users an unparalleled travel experience. Meili's technology is designed to elevate the convenience and choices available to FREENOW customers, ensuring they have direct access to high quality, globally recognised car rental brands. This partnership reinforces our commitment to delivering seamless and innovative solutions that empower users in their travel journey. It aligns perfectly with our vision of providing integrated solutions that cater to the evolving needs of modern travellers."

Charlie Gleeson, General Manager, FREENOW Ireland, said, "We are delighted to join forces with Meili, an innovative technology platform that is facilitating our growth in the multi-modal space, enabling FREENOW to enhance our transport offering by connecting passengers with leading vehicle rental providers. In line with FREENOW’s offering in other European markets our goal is to provide passengers with more transport options at their fingertips within one mobility app – and we look forward to growing our modal offering further in the future.”

David Koral, Director of Partnerships, FREENOW said, “Meili’s technology aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing comprehensive mobility solutions to our users. This partnership allows us to enhance our customer offering, ensuring customers have direct access to premium brands and the best loyalty programs available in the market. The technical integration was super simple, thanks to Meili’s leading-edge technology, making the process seamless for our teams and ensuring a swift implementation.”

With Meili's technology driving FREENOW's car rental services, users can anticipate a new era of convenience, choice, and excellence in their travel experience. This collaboration not only marks a significant milestone for both companies but also lays the foundation for future innovations in the ever-evolving landscape of mobility solutions.

ENDS

19 March 2024

For further information contact: Micéal Whelan, Communications and Media Relations Manager, UCD Research and Innovation, e: miceal.whelan@ucd.ie or Laura Ryan, Director of Marketing, Meili, e: laura.ryan@meili.travel.

Editors Notes

Meili, pronounced May-Lee, co-founded by former CarTrawler CEO & CTO Mike McGearty and Bobby Healy, pioneers in cutting-edge technology. We empower car rental and mobility companies to seamlessly integrate and partner directly with airlines, travel, and tech partners, all from the cloud. Our unified integration codebase spans all devices, enhancing distribution control for brands. With a strong team of industry veterans from CarTrawler, Booking.com and OpenJaw; and a rapidly expanding partner base including Lufthansa, SAS, Trenitalia, airBaltic, and Croatian Airlines, Meili revolutionises mobility distribution for premium travel experiences. We are redefining the landscape, empowering global businesses with insights, revenue growth, and ultimately success. www.meili.travel

FREENOW is the Mobility Super App with the largest vehicle choice for consumers across Europe available in 9 markets and in over 150 cities. Users can access all types of mobility services within a single app including taxis, Ride (PHV), carsharing, car rental, eScooters, eBikes and eMopeds and public transport. FREENOW aggregates numerous mobility brands with the ambition to make urban mobility more efficient and sustainable without adding new vehicles on the street. The Germany-based company is backed by the BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility. In total, around 1,000 employees in more than 26 offices work for the services of FREENOW, which is led by CEO Thomas Zimmermann.