John Zimmer

Ridesharing wasn't a thing 12 years ago when John Zimmer was in college. But a class on green cities got him thinking about the glut of underused cars on the road, and eventually led him to co-found Lyft, a company that has helped make ridesharing a way of life. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Zimmer, co-founder of Lyft, shares his insights after stepping away from the company. He discusses his new venture, Yes And, aimed at creating consumer businesses with positive impacts. Early-stage founders call in, seeking advice like inventory financing for Terri Levy’s Ruckstar brand and scaling strategies for Alan’s Shower Spa. Kobe Goodwin of Slow Coco opens up about achieving work-life balance and sustainable practices in his craft chocolate company. John emphasizes the value of mental health and enjoying the entrepreneurial journey.

The early days of Zimrides [2:08]Driving early virality [7:56]Competing with Uber [15:47]Why they took political stances [27:03]Managing through the pandemic [38:09]The future focus for Lyft -- autonomous vehicles and the end of car ownership [42:50]Follow the a16z Club to join conversations with tech founders, builders, and leaders live and in-full.

John Zimmer, co-founder of Lyft, shares insights on navigating the challenges of the pandemic. He discusses a dramatic 75% drop in rides and the company's strategic shift into bike and scooter rentals. Zimmer addresses the complex issue of driver classifications, debating whether they should be viewed as independent contractors or employees. He emphasizes resilience in leadership, innovative urban mobility solutions, and the balance between benefitting drivers while maintaining flexibility. Personal coping strategies for entrepreneurs also take center stage.

Lyft cofounder John Zimmer discusses the origins of Lyft and the company's experimentation with driver incentives. He also emphasizes the importance of setting investment goals and checking stock prices less frequently.