Austin’s new mobility program announced a pilot partnership with the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas, an Austin-based foundation of entrepreneurs. Under the pilot partnership, the EF staff, its member companies and nonprofit partners will have access to car2go’s fleet of 200 smart fortwo vehicles for use at the standard per minute rate.
“The Entrepreneurs Foundation shares with car2go the values of both encouraging small businesses to prosper in Austin and engaging our community in meaningful ways,” said Nicholas Cole, President & CEO of car2go North America. “car2go is looking to make a big impact on Austin, and this partnership helps us to do just that.”
Founded in 1999, the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Central Texas has over 140 member companies and partners with more than 100 nonprofits. EF promotes philanthropy and community involvement among Austin’s entrepreneurs and their employees, including community service, leadership projects and charitable funding. They recently raised $1.2 million for Haiti earthquake relief. Austin Ventures, Silicon Labs, Inc and Trilogy are EF’s primary underwriters.
“Business and social entrepreneurs get innovation; they’re always looking for creative solutions,” said Eugene Sepulveda, CEO of the Entrepreneurs Foundation. “car2go is an exciting solution to traffic, lifestyle and environmental challenges. Our member companies, nonprofit partners and their employees are excited about joining car2go.”
car2go is an innovative mobility program with its North American headquarters in Austin, Texas. A subsidiary of Daimler, car2go aims to revolutionize urban transportation by offering an extensive fleets of environment-friendly smart fortwo vehicles for rent.Unlike other carsharing programs, car2go vehicles can be accessed “on-demand,” and members may use the vehicle for as long as they like, without committing to a specific return time. The driver can finish the rental in any available public parking space within the greater downtown Austin area or at one of the specially marked car2go spaces.
Launched in November 2009 as a pilot project, car2go has established several pilot partnerships in Austin over the past months. More than 13,000 City employees are free to register and to use the car2gos for business or private trips. In February 2010, car2go joined forces with LIVESTRONG, an Austin-based cancer support organization founded by champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. On March 29th 2010, car2go announced a partnership with the State of Texas providing State employees the opportunity to become members.
