RushOwl, a Singapore-based ride-sharing startup that uses AI technology to cut carbon emissions, has raised $10 million in a Series A funding round. The round was led by Gobi Partners, a pan-Asian venture capital firm.
The Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), a government-owned fund focused on supporting innovation and sustainability, joined the round as Gobi’s investment partner.
Founded in 2018 by Shin Ng (CEO), Songyan Ho (CTO), and Kris Lee (COO), RushOwl works with companies and schools to provide ride-sharing services. So far, the platform has completed over 1.5 million rides and handles more than 4,000 trips every day.
RushOwl’s main technology is its AI-powered routing system, RushOS, which groups ride requests to create shared, eco-friendly trips. What makes RushOS different from other mobility platforms is its focus on preparing fleet software for autonomous vehicles, while also ensuring vehicles are used efficiently to deliver sustainable returns.
RushOwl helps cut carbon emissions by 50% by reducing mileage, with each shared trip replacing more than three cars. The company currently runs on-demand shuttle services in Singapore, India, and Hong Kong, where it is expanding to support smart mobility. With its new funding, RushOwl plans to enter the Philippines, South Korea, and Malaysia and will also open an R&D center in Malaysia.
RushOwl’s key partners include Asia Pacific Breweries, CBRE, and Singapore’s Ministry of Education. It has secured long-term contracts (at least 24 months) worth eight figures annually. By using its data-driven, flexible shuttle system instead of traditional fixed fleets, RushOwl helps clients lower both costs and emissions.
Founders Shin, Songyan, and Kris started as mobility researchers, driven by the goal of making transportation more accessible and fair for everyone.
“We saw in both developing and mature cities that when governments want to increase their land usage to include more companies and amenities to benefit people, accessibility continues to be a big problem because they cannot immediately create a public transport offering without spending billions of dollars,” said Shin Ng, CEO of Rushowl. “The idea of creating a free-flowing public transportation system appealed to us.”
Along with expanding into new markets, RushOwl will use its Series A funds to grow its B2B sales team, build partnerships with fleet operators, and license its RushOS technology to them.
Gobi Partners invested through three of its funds in Hong Kong and Malaysia, highlighting the cross-border growth potential of RushOwl’s strategy.
Clara Chan, CEO of the HKIC said, “The HKIC adopts an “investment+” approach and invest in opportunities that not only generate financial return but also create or support long-term themes that could be Hong Kong’s future economic growth drivers. Our investment in RushOwl embodies this approach — supporting a company whose smart mobility solutions address urban and sustainability challenges that are highly relevant to Hong Kong and other major cities. This is a very important trend to capture. We are pleased to partner with RushOwl and will support its continued expansion to Hong Kong and across Asia. This is a vivid case showcasing Hong Kong’s role in contributing to regional economic and social developments by way of investing.”
Chibo Tang, Managing Partner of Gobi Partners said, “One of the most vital elements of smart cities is transportation that is not only affordable, but also sustainable. RushOwl addresses urban challenges such as congestion and excess emissions, while preparing for the future by developing technologies compatible with autonomous vehicles. We are excited to work with RushOwl as they make cities across Asia more accessible to everybody who lives in them.”
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