Cargo.io

Cargo.io operates as an in-car e-commerce platform tailored for the rideshare economy. Founded in 2016 by Jeff Cripe, the company aimed to create a new sales channel by enabling rideshare drivers to sell goods to their passengers directly during a trip. Cripe's background in venture capital and his observation of the growing rideshare market led to the conception of Cargo as a way for drivers to earn additional income and for brands to reach a captive audience.

The business model involves providing drivers with a pre-packaged box of products, such as snacks, drinks, and electronics, at no cost. Passengers can browse and purchase these items using their smartphones through Cargo's mobile web app, with the driver earning a commission on each sale. Cargo's revenue is generated from the sale of these products and through partnerships with brands who pay to have their items featured in the Cargo boxes. This model serves a dual-client base: rideshare drivers looking for supplemental income and consumer brands seeking a novel marketing and distribution channel.

The company's platform integrates with rideshare services like Uber, allowing for a seamless transaction process for the passenger. Before its acquisition, Cargo had raised significant venture capital funding and expanded its operations to major cities across the United States and internationally. In late 2019, Cargo was acquired by the digital advertising company, Cooler Screens. Following the acquisition, the company's focus shifted, and by 2020, it had pivoted away from its original in-car commerce model, eventually ceasing those operations.

Keywords: in-car commerce, rideshare economy, retail platform, consumer goods, brand partnerships, ancillary revenue, mobile purchasing, driver earnings, direct-to-consumer, advertising channel