Here’s how Amsterdam-based Dott is setting standard across Europe after winning one of 3 e-scooter spots in Paris

Europe is recovering remarkably from the first wave of coronavirus and startups in different sectors are thriving again. Micro mobility is one such sector that is on the rise, especially since it enables users to maintain social distancing while travelling short distances. Some companies are now jumping in on the action but Amsterdam-based micro-mobility company Dott has been around for a while. The startup is now ready to set the standard across Europe after winning one of the three spots to operate e-scooters in Paris. 

Setting the standard for other European cities

Dott won one of the three e-scooter spots in Paris after a highly competitive seven-month-long tender process, which recently concluded. The company will now be able to offer its e-scooters services in the city over the next two years. In a conversation with Silicon Canals, CEO and co-founder of Dott, Henri Moissinac, reveals more about how the company won the tender, what it plans to do next and more. 

“This decision (of being awarded with the tender) is testament to the daily work of the Dott team in Paris and Lyon, who have been providing a high-quality, accessible and reliable service, every day since March 2019, rain or shine, and everywhere in the city. Core to this is our utmost respect for public space across Paris as 97 percent of Dott trips end in authorised parking spots. This is also a testament to Dott’s dedication to sustainability, in-house operations, and close collaboration with city stakeholders,” says Moissinac. 

Dott is also ready to set the standard for other European cities by doubling its Paris fleet to 5,000 scooters. All new vehicles, like its current offerings, will come equipped with a removable battery that will be recharged via renewable energy, and will be serviced by the company’s local full-time employees to ensure reliability and safety. 

The company is aiming to make its services accessible for everyone and thus will offer custom fixed-price tickets in Paris. A round-trip pass will cost €3.99 while a 7-day unlimited unlocking pass is priced at €2.99 (unlocking fee usually €1/trip). Dott is also working with local businesses to help their employees benefit from sustainable mobility packages.

Next stop, UK

Since the shared/rented e-scooters are now legal in the UK, we were curious whether Dott is planning to hit the UK streets. “Dott is working with Transport for London (TfL), local authorities across the UK, and the Department for Transport (DfT) to finalise city proposals for scooter trials,” Moissinac reveals. “The DfT has set high safety standards for e-scooters in the UK, which Dott’s vehicles exceed. We announced on July 3 that our Dott electric scooter met the Department for Transport (DfT)’s requirements to launch as part of a UK trial, one of the first e-scooters to earn this approval in the UK.”

Utmost priority on Safety

An e-scooter startup has to focus heavily on the safety of its consumers and this revolves around the product being offered. Dott says it always had a focus on safety, ever since the beginning of its services in early 2019. It introduced e-scooters that are safe by design and ensures that their maintenance is carried out properly in-house for maximum safety and quality control. 

The startup also offers coaching lessons with local partners to educate beginners to make e-scooter experience safer for everyone. In addition, it offers comprehensive insurance automatically included in all rides, which covers 3rd party liability and personal injury.

Dott was launched back in 2018 by co-founders Maxim Romain and Henri Moissinac. The company currently operates 20,000 e-scooters across 14 top cities in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Poland. It raised €20 million in seed funding back in December 2018 and another €30 million in series A last year.

This article is produced in collaboration with StartupAmsterdam. Read more about our partnering opportunities.