From Eleni Papadopoulou, Forbes Greece
Eleni Papadopoulou (E.P.): Mr. Nikolaou, we are delighted to be here today to learn more about Cabtivo, the startup company you founded and the innovative platform you have developed. Could you tell us a bit about it and its role in the mobility and advertising space?
Nicholas Nikolaou (N.N.): Certainly, with pleasure. Cabtivo is a Greek startup specialising in digital “in-car” advertising, and we are proud to have created and are developing this innovative platform in the Greek market. Cabtivo offers a completely new approach to advertising on the go, leveraging the rapid growth of digital out-of-home advertising (DOOH) globally, creating pioneering software that opens new avenues in this market. Combined with the custom-made screens we have manufactured according to the most updated management systems and security protocols, we ensure a harmonious software-hardware collaboration, with all the advantages that this mode of connection entails.
E.P.: How did the idea for creating Cabtivo come about, and what inspired you?
N.N.: We realized an opportunity in the “out of home” advertising sector. Taxis are an everyday space that impacts many people and offers the perfect platform for businesses wanting to pass their message one-on-one to a broad audience. We wanted to create a solution that transforms people’s daily lives into an experience, while simultaneously providing “last mile” advertising opportunities for businesses. Additionally, we offer passengers the opportunity to be informed about events and happenings in the cities where Cabtivo operates (currently Athens and Thessaloniki), turning passenger movement into an interesting experience.
E.P.: Can you explain how the technology of Cabtivo works and how it differs from other DOOH platforms?
N.N.: Cabtivo uses advanced targeting tools, innovative proprietary software that we developed internally, and custom-made hardware -Android tablets specifically made for Cabtivo- to create a customized and interactive experience. We use technologies such as artificial intelligence and geolocation to tailor the content and advertisements we display according to the preferences, needs, and location of the passengers. This creates a truly personalized experience for the passengers.
E.P.: How do you foresee the development of “in-car” digital advertising in Greece in the future?
N.N.: We see great potential for growth in the “in-car” advertising space in Greece. As people spend more and more time in cars, the opportunity to communicate with them through advertising in this environment becomes more valuable. Cabtivo is pioneering in this sector, and we will continue to develop and evolve our technology to offer even more opportunities to businesses for effective and interactive “in-car” advertising.
E.P.: What is the next big move for Cabtivo and what are your predictions for the future?
N.N.: The next big move for Cabtivo is the horizontal expansion of the company, primarily in Greece. We already count over 200 taxis in Athens and Thessaloniki, in collaboration with Uber, who believed in the project from the beginning, as well as with individual taxis. We aim for 1,000 taxis by this time next year and, of course, expansion into new markets. We plan to enter Northern Europe and the United States, expanding our presence globally. Additionally, we will continue to develop our technology and integrate new features for our clients, offering even more effective and customized advertising solutions, as well as for our partners, the taxis, enhancing their travel experience and their income. Finally, we believe that very soon we will be able to offer drivers we work with the option to pay for rides with credit cards, in collaboration with Viva.com, a European technology bank that is pioneering in the payment space. By utilizing Viva.com’s Tap on Any Device technology, drivers will be able to accept payments easily, quickly, and securely through Cabtivo’s specially designed Android tablet. The implementation of this solution will gradually expand to Europe and America.
E.P. Thank you very much for this interview, Mr. Nikolaou. It is interesting to learn about innovative companies that contribute to the development of digital advertising in Greece and beyond.
