Google 's Eric Schmidt Backs Uber-Style Helicopter Service For Elite
MOUNTAIN VIEW (CBS SF) -- Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt has joined a group of executives backing an Uber-style mobile app for the luxury chopper crowd, called Blade. The startup was launched a year ago to get New Yorkers to the Hamptons in a matter of minutes.
Since Blade's launch, the app has been downloaded more than 20,000 times, but unlike Uber, Blade is definitely not cheap. A one-way ticket on from NYC to the Hamptons on Blade costs about $575. Tickets to Cape Cod or Martha's Vineyard cost about $650. Flights from any New York City airport into the city run about $900.
Blade was the brainchild of Warner Music COO Rob Weisenthal and Steve Martocci (GroupMe, Splice). According to Business Insider, the pair launched the company with $50,000 and it was immediately profitable. Schmidt and other big money donors, including Barry Diller (IAC), and David Zaslav (Discover Communications), have invested another $6 million, at a $25 million valuation.
No word yet if Schmidt's backing is any indication that Blade will be coming to the Bay Area.