Uber, a Five-Year-Old, May Reach a $40 Billion Valuation

Hold on—Uber’s Value Is Just Getting Bigger

It’s been less than half a year since Uber first hit the $17 billion mark during its latest fundraising blitz.

Now the ride‑share titan is sitting on the brink of a new round that could push its valuation to a staggering $35‑$40 billion, sources on the inside tell Bloomberg.

We’re talking about at least a $1 billion splash—enough to keep Uber’s expansion engine humming across the globe.

Uber’s already operating in 50 countries and 200 cities
Its reach spans North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific

So, knock back a coffee—if you’ll look at it, Uber’s next round is just getting big and bright.

The astronomical rise of Uber

Uber: The Ride‑Sharing Saga

Origin Story

It all started in 2009 in San Francisco, when CEO Travis Kalaknick and chairman Garrett Camp decided that a quick‑service car hire wasn’t enough for a hungry city.

Funding Frenzy

Over the past half‑decade, Uber’s investors lineup reads like a who’s‑who of Wall Street and Silicon Valley:

Goldman Sachs
BlackRock
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
Google Ventures (yeah, those folks also love self‑driving Teslas)

In total, that crew poured roughly $1.5 billion into six funding rounds, coming from more than 30 different investors.

How Much Did It Make?

Uber keeps its revenue figures as secretive as a cat’s secrets, but Gigaom dug up a ballpark estimate:

Revenue from June 2013 to May 2014: $26 million
Lyft’s (the nearest rival) estimated revenue for the same period: $2.2 million

Just a reminder: these numbers come from a thin slice of data, so for the full story check out Gigaom’s original piece.

Customer Growth

While the name “Uber” rings in many ears, the company was actually adding a new customer roughly every two days during that period—about 7,300 fresh faces a month!

So What’s the Verdict?

Uber’s story is one of relentless ambition, savvy backers, and a user base that kept growing faster than a smartphone’s battery life. Whether it’s a driverless dream or a next‑gen taxi, the company is carving its own niche in the ever‑evolving mobility landscape.

Controversies

Uber: From Rides to Rants

In the past year, Uber has found itself in the eye of the storm over a slew of controversies. From jaw‑dropping privacy breaches to a questionable treatment of drivers and rivals like Lyft, the company’s reputation has taken a few tumbles.

What’s Been Heating Up

Privacy Puzzles: Customers have raised concerns about how their data is collected and used, sparking debates over digital trust.
Driver Drama: Many drivers feel sidelined, reporters say, citing uneven pay and support from the company.
Lyft Showdowns: Uber’s pushback against a direct competitor has raised eyebrows and prompted lawsuits.
Journalist Investigation: A senior executive suggested using investigators to dig up dirt on “troublesome” journalists—a move that look‑alikes imagine was off the record.

The Media’s Take

Forbes recently published a detailed look at these controversies and asked the big question: “Can we trust Uber?” Their analysis dives deep into each incident and lays out the evidence and responses that Uber has offered.

All in all, Uber’s journey has been anything but smooth. Will the company straighten up and shape up, or will it keep riding the roller‑coaster of criticism? Only time—and perhaps a fresh business strategy—will tell.

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