Blacklane raises record round of $45 million

Private car service Blacklane has achieved its biggest capital-raising effort so far - a Series D round to the tune of up to $45 million.

The investment was undisclosed but sources have confirmed that round has more than doubled the Series C of $20 million from January 2016.

Returning to back the company are motor manufacturer Daimler and BTOV Partners, with UAE-based ALFAHIM also participating.

The company, led by CEO and co-founder Jens Wohltorf, says the latest round - bringing its total so far to around $85 million - will be used to fund its expansion into more cities around the world, as well as support its airport concierge service and investment in technology.

It plans to cross the 300 city threshold during 2018, with a specific target of airports in the Middle East and Africa.

The concierge service, known as Blacklane PASS, was created following its acquisition of Solve in October 2017.

Existing partners of the core private car platform include Amadeus, Hertz, Miles & More, Expedia, Asia Miles and Finnair.

Blacklane chairman Jochen Gutbrod says the company hopes to make the airport concierge service as "accessible to the mass travel market" as the original car service.

Earlier investment rounds included a Series B ($14 million) in December 2013 and an additional Series B ($3.3 million) in November 2014.