Rally OurBus Profile
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
Originally two separate brands (Rally and OurBus), the two transportation technology startups recently merged to create a user-friendly bus network serving communities across the US and Canada.
Interview With Siheun Song
Describe your product or service.
Rally OurBus represents the leading managed marketplace and bus technology for regional travel in the United States. We operate with two consumer brands: OurBus for intercity travel and Rally for charter and events. Together, Rally OurBus has transported millions of riders traveling to all our favorite destinations.
Describe your company culture in 3 words.
Savvy; heart; dynamic
Describe your company values in one sentence.
E pluribus unum: we can go farther together than alone.
How are you funded?
Angel, VC, Strategic funds
Feeling inspired? Learn how to launch your company with our guide on how to start a startup.
How big is your team?
These days, we're onboarding ~3 people per week, for a total of ~30 as of today.
Tell us about your team:
The Rally OurBus team is co-located in 3 US time zones, plus Mexico & Costa Rica, plus India, Philippines and the EU.
What made you want to start your own business?
The founders are all people of color, and live in the NY Metro area. For many immigrants especially, all we know is entrepreneurship and making things happen with as little resources as possible.
How did you come up with your startup idea?
We wanted to send a few thousand people to a political rally in DC, and buses make sense for this use case!
What is something that makes your company unique?
There's a lot about us that's unique, but these days, I'm really appreciative of our diversity, especially of the 4 founders (1 woman; 1 LGBTQIA; 3 immigrants born abroad; all 4 of us are people of color; and we have a founder in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s)
Who is your product or service made for?
In our managed marketplace, we match customers (riders) with suppliers (bus operators & drivers).
What's your marketing strategy?
Search for "bus to Atlantic city from nyc" or "bus to Buffalo Bills" and you'll find Rally / OurBus on the top of organic search results.
How did you acquire your first customers?
Word of mouth on community boards (ie, facebook, reddit, etc)
How do you track your progress?
Butts in seats
How has your approach to business changed from when you started to now?
We look for specialists now, rather than generalists, to join our team.
What’s the #1 resource you rely on for success?
Friends & family.
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More on Rally OurBus
Rally OurBus: The Road to Success
While Rally OurBus provides exceptional public transportation services, they are more than just a transportation technology company. They are a diverse group of hardworking founders and innovators — and proud of it.
10 Insights From the Co-Founder of Transportation Startup Rally OurBus
During our interview with Siheun Song of Rally OurBus, she provided not only valuable information for aspiring entrepreneurs but also insight into the future of the transportation industry.
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