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They claim that they could be profitable in 2018 in this article: https://www.recode.net/2017/10/19/16503628/alphabet-lyft-ride-hail-investment-billion https://

• giarc 9y ago
  Profitable in their current markets. Once they expand internationally they will need to subsidize heavily.
  • gsnedders 9y ago
    > Profitable in their current markets. Once they expand internationally they will need to subsidize heavily. Why would they need to subsidize outside of the US?
    • jtmcmc 9y ago
      particularly with a business that relies on network effect the beginning is often not profitable as you need to kickstart people using the system on either side hence signup promos on both sides etc...
    • giarc 9y ago
      Majority of the cities that they expand to will likely have a competing player (Uber, Didi etc). Therefore to attract customers away from the incumbent they will have to offer free rides or discounted rides. That money needs to come from somewhere.