Crucible Moments Bolt ft. Markus Villig - From Bootstrapping in Estonia to a Global Leader in Mobility
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Nov 20, 2025 
Markus Villig, the founder and CEO of Bolt, shares his journey from bootstrapping in Estonia to leading a global mobility revolution. He reveals how he pivoted from developing dispatch software to direct ride-hailing, strategically targeting overlooked African cities for growth. Alongside Evgeny Kabanov, they discuss Bolt's data-driven decision-making, navigating regulatory challenges in London, and expanding into micromobility and food delivery. Their pragmatic and experimental approach allowed Bolt to thrive amid disruptions, including the pandemic.
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Bootstrapped With A Family Loan
- Markus Villig borrowed €5,000 from his parents at 19 to build a taxi dispatch prototype.
- He used that small loan to hire a developer and fund initial marketing to validate the idea.
Pitching Drivers Door‑To‑Door
- Markus cold‑pitched taxi drivers on the streets of Tallinn to recruit supply.
- Many drivers lacked smartphones and resisted change, making sales extremely hard.
The Gun On The Table Moment
- A tense meeting in Belgrade revealed taxi companies' hostile power and a gun on the table.
- Bolt pivoted from partnering with dispatch companies to recruiting individual drivers instead.