99 (Application)

Brand Overview and Origin

99 (formerly 99Taxis) is a Brazilian technology company founded in 2012 by Paulo Veras, Renato Freitas, and Ariel Lambrecht in São Paulo. Initially launched as a taxi-hailing app, it quickly became Brazil's most significant homegrown competitor in the ride-sharing and urban mobility sector.

Ownership Evolution

In early 2018, 99 achieved 'unicorn' status when it was acquired by the Chinese ride-hailing giant DiDi (DiDi Chuxing). This acquisition marked a significant shift in the Latin American tech landscape, as DiDi integrated 99 into its global network to fight for market share against international competitors.

Operations and Services

Today, the brand operates as a subsidiary of DiDi. While its core business remains ride-hailing (99Pop, 99Taxi), it has expanded into food delivery (99Food) and financial services (99Pay). All technology development and logistics management are primarily headquartered in Brazil, but the strategic direction and ultimate ownership reside in China.