Uber turned five this week and the transportation juggernaut has reason to celebrate. Uber is the largest privately held tech company in the world, with some estimates valuing Uber at $50 billion. That’s a cool $10 billion for every year it’s been in business. Not bad for a ridesharing idea that started as a much-needed alternative to the consumer-hostile San Francisco taxi business.
Uber now operates in 300 cities around the world. And CEO Travis Kalanick has a vision for how those cities will operate in the future. Kalanick says: “Just imagine a city where traffic speeds along smoothly and quietly, even at rush hour — this is my dream.” Even John Lennon would have trouble imagining that — especially if he lived in LA or Atlanta. But Kalanick shouldn’t be doubted when he expresses a vision of the future — look what he’s done so far.
