company

Empower

Empower is a ride-hailing app based in McLean, Virginia. Drivers pay a subscription and keep 100% of each fare, according to its CEO. New York City sued the company and its founder, saying it has operated without a license.

CEO

Joshua Sear

Key facts

Driver share of fare: 100% of the faresource
Rider savings, per CEO: 15-20%source
Launch in the D.C. area: October 2020source
Operating in New York City since: 2022source
New York City lawsuit: New York City sued ridehail app Empower and founder Joshua Searsource
Based in: McLean, Virginiasource

WYDE coverage of Empower

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Sources

Empower sued by New York City over illegal operations (NBC New York)
New York City Sues to Ban 'Unlawful' Empower Ridehail App (Bloomberg)
NoVa's Empower wants to help drivers keep more of their profits (Technical.ly)
McLean ride-share startup seeks to challenge Uber and Lyft by putting drivers in control (FFXnow)

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