Bolt was originally founded under the name Taxify.
The Estonian mobility company now known as Bolt launched as Taxify in 2013. It was founded in Tallinn by Markus Villig, who was still a teenager when he began building a platform to connect passengers with drivers. The company initially concentrated on ride-hailing and taxi services, then expanded across Europe and into other regions.
In 2019, Taxify changed its name to Bolt. The rebrand reflected a broader business strategy: the company was no longer focused only on taxis or car rides. Bolt later added services such as electric scooter and bicycle rentals, food delivery and car-sharing in selected markets. The name change is why older articles, apps or quiz questions may refer to Taxify instead of Bolt.
Bolt is sometimes confused with Uber or Lyft because all three connect riders and drivers through mobile applications. Grab is another major ride-hailing company, especially associated with Southeast Asia, but it was not founded as Taxify. Bolt’s headquarters remain in Tallinn, Estonia, and the company operates as a wider mobility platform rather than only a taxi app.