Paris-based BlaBlaCar long-distance ride-sharing network has raised a $100 million investment, according to venture capital firm Index Ventures. BlaBlaCar (founded 2006) serves more than 8 million customers in 12 countries and sees itself as an inexpensive alternative to planes and trains in city-to-city transport. Passengers make a contribution to travel costs, but drivers do not profit from the ride, in contrast to similar models embraced by on-demand ride services such as Uber and Lyft. Its business model is akin to that of the Belgian carpooling system Taxistop, which has been in operation since 1975.

• BlaBlaCar: app-based car-sharing system collects $ 100 million