About - Vugo

We are building the infrastructure for the passenger economy.

Vugo is an award winning mobility media company founded in 2015, with the idea of building passenger experiences that enhance trips and earn more money. As mobility models continue to evolve, we believe that we can eventually make transportation free (or at least heavily subsidized) from alternative models including mobility media. Industry experts believe the passenger economy is worth $200 billion. That's a lot of money that can help subsidize mobility models and reduce costs for consumers. It starts with building amazing passenger experiences - which is what we are here to do.

2014

James Bellefeuille and Rob Flessner, the co-founders of Vugo, conceptualize the idea for the company in late fall while in Minnesota and coin the term "Rideshare Advertising"

2015

Vugo was founded, TripIntent smart targeting engine built, and beta driver program launched. Vugo is immediately covered in major publications including Forbes and Adweek. Vugo’s CEO and Co-Founder Rob Flessner wins Minnesota Business Magazine’s Young Entrepreneur Award.

Semi-Finalist High Tech Division, MN Cup
MN Business Magazine Young Entrepreneur Award
Technori 50th Anniversary Pitch Event Technori
MobDemo Finalist MobCon
Beta.MN 2.5 Showcase
1 Million Cups (St. Paul)

2016

Vugo goes live with our first rideshare drivers, and wins the MN Cup High-Tech Division along the way.

Winner High-Tech Division, MN Cup
MN Business Magazine Young Entrepreneur Award
Eureka! Award Winner for Innovation in Media & Advertising
Startups in The Sky Transportation Panel Event (Los Angeles)

2017

Vugo continues to onboard more drivers, and is invited by Techstars to participate at the NAIAS Automobile-D Showcase in Detroit. The North American International Auto Show in Detroit is one of the largest auto shows in the world.

MIMA Summit Panelist
NAIAS Automobili-D Showcase, Techstars Mobility

2018

Vugo is recognized by Minne Inno with a 50 on Fire Award, for our innovations in advertising.

Minne Inno 50 on Fire Award
Coco Pitch Night
NAIAS Automobili-D Showcase, Techstars Mobility

2019

Vugo announces it will relocate its headquarters to Florida, and TIME Magazine states that “Ad Dollars for Uber Drivers” as a top invention of 2019 – half a decade after Vugo invented it.

1 Million Cups (Eden Prairie)

2020

Vugo expands the platform to include Digital Rooftop Displays, Vehicle Wraps, and Bus Advertising, among other features.

MOVE America Showcase (Austin, TX)

2021

Vugo continues to expand nationwide with rideshare partners. Vugo also for the first time allows rideshare drivers to participate in owning part of the company through WeFunder.

MOVE America Showcase (Austin, TX)

2022

Vugo launches first European fleets, marking entry into Europe.

MOVE America Showcase (Austin, TX)
Product Innovation Award for Operations Excellence

2023

Vugo performed a major revamp of its TripIntent Technology, updating the machine learning algorithms for better targeting capabilities.

Autotech Council – Infotainment

2024

Vugo continues to build on its successes and picking up recognition, in addition to becoming a founding member of the Moving Out-of-Home Association (MOOHA) to promote the mobility sector amongst major brands and advertisers.