In a major boost to women’s safety and empowerment in India’s urban mobility sector, Fery Rides, a women-led and women-focused ride-hailing startup, has raised ₹2.075 crore in a seed funding round led by the Indian Angel Network (IAN) Angel Fund, part of the IAN Group.
The funding round saw active participation from seasoned investors including Hari Balasubramanian, Uday Chatterjee, and Sri Prakash. The fresh infusion of capital will help Fery Rides strengthen its technology infrastructure, expand operations beyond the Delhi-NCR region, and onboard more women drivers, known on the platform as “Sister Partners.”
Empowering Women Through Safe and Sustainable Mobility
Founded in April 2023 by Ajay Kumar, Vindhya Mehrotra, and Himanshu Chaubey, Fery Rides was created with a clear mission — to provide safe, reliable, and eco-friendly transportation exclusively for women, by women.
The idea for the platform was born after co-founder Ajay Kumar witnessed a close friend face harassment during a ride-hailing trip, which deeply impacted him. That experience inspired the founders to build a secure and inclusive transport solution designed specifically for women passengers and women drivers.
Based in Gurugram, Fery Rides ensures that every trip is operated by trained, verified, and background-checked women drivers and caters solely to women passengers. The app features real-time ride tracking, an SOS emergency alert system, and WhatsApp-based customer support, ensuring a seamless and safe riding experience.
Notably, the platform operates an all-electric vehicle (EV) fleet, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and green urban mobility.
Rapid Growth and Expanding Impact
Since its inception, Fery Rides has achieved remarkable growth milestones. The platform has completed over 65,000 eco-friendly rides, empowered more than 250 women drivers, and surpassed 50,000 app downloads.
Currently operational in Gurugram, the startup plans to expand its services to Delhi, Noida, and other metro cities across India. Fery has also partnered with Sakha Cabs for airport ride services and successfully conducted pilot operations during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, demonstrating its ability to scale for large public events.
Voices from the Founders and Investors
Commenting on the fundraising, Ajay Kumar, Co-founder and CEO of Fery Rides, said:
“This fundraise is more than just capital; it’s a strong validation of our mission to redefine mobility for women in India. With the backing of IAN Group and our mentors, we are ready to scale Fery into a national movement for safer, sustainable, and women-led urban transportation.”
Padmaja Ruparel, Co-founder of IAN Group, praised the startup’s social and business impact, saying:
“Real change happens when innovation meets inclusion. Fery Rides places women at the centre of the solution to one of the biggest challenges — safe mobility. This company has built an innovative solution to a real problem, creating both value and social change. We’re proud to support a team that is redefining transportation through empowerment, technology, and trust.”
Pioneering Change in India’s Urban Mobility Ecosystem
Fery Rides represents a growing movement in India’s women-centric tech entrepreneurship and urban sustainability space. The startup is not just addressing mobility challenges but also creating livelihood opportunities for women, promoting electric vehicle adoption, and reducing carbon emissions in urban areas.
With India’s mobility sector projected to reach $150 billion by 2030, the demand for safe, reliable, and eco-friendly ride-hailing services continues to rise. Fery’s unique positioning as a women-for-women EV platform gives it a strong advantage in tapping into this fast-growing market while driving social impact and gender inclusion.
The Road Ahead
With fresh funding and strategic investor backing, Fery Rides plans to enhance its proprietary safety features, train more women drivers, and expand to multiple cities by 2026. The company also aims to partner with corporates and institutions to provide safe commute options for female employees and students.
By combining technology, empowerment, and sustainability, Fery Rides is building more than just a mobility platform — it’s creating a movement for safer and inclusive transportation for women across India.
