1Uber was originally founded as Ubercab
In 2009, Uber was originally founded as Ubercab by Garrett Camp, a computer programmer and the co-founder of StumbleUpon, and Travis Kalanick, who sold his Red Swoosh startup for $19 million in 2007.
2Ryan Graves became the first Uber employee
In February 2010, Ryan Graves became the first Uber employee and received 5–10% of the company. Graves started out as general manager and was named CEO shortly after the launch.
3Uber goes live for the first time in San Francisco
Uber goes live for the first time in San Francisco, launches at SF AppShow, gives attendees first limo rides from app.
4Ryan Graves steps down as CEO in favor of Travis Kalanick
Ryan Graves steps down as CEO in favor of Travis Kalanick.
5From UberCab to Uber
In 2011, the company changed its name from UberCab to Uber after receiving complaints from San Francisco taxi operators.
6Uber goes live in New York City
Uber goes live in New York City.
7Uber goes live in Chicago
Uber goes live in Chicago.
8Expanding into Paris
Uber expands beyond the United States, starting by expanding into Paris, France.
9Uber announces it has raised $37 million in Series B round
Uber announces it has raised $37 million in Series B round, including investors such as Goldman Sachs, Menlo Ventures (with Shervin Pishevar and Shawn Carolan co-leading Menlo's investment), and Bezos Expeditions.
10Uber launches in Canada
Uber launches in Canada starting with Toronto.
11Lyft launches in San Francisco
Lyft, a competitor to Uber, launches in San Francisco.
12Uber launches in London
Uber launches in London, United Kingdom.
13Uber announces UberX
Uber announces UberX, a service that uses lower-cost hybrid vehicles.
14Uber adds ridesharing
Uber adds ridesharing, where regular drivers use their personal vehicles as part of UberX.
15Uber launches in Mexico City
Uber launches in Mexico City, Mexico.
16Uber expands to Asia
Uber expands to Asia launches in Taiwan, starting in Taipei.
17Uber expands to Africa
Uber expands to Africa, launches its first product in Johannesburg, South Africa.
18Uber confirms it has raised $258 million in Series C
Uber confirms it has raised $258 million in Series C round at a $3.5 billion pre-money valuation, with investors including Google Ventures and TPG Growth.
19Uber expands to India
Uber expands to India, launching its first product in Bangalore.
20Uber launches Uber Rush in New York City
Uber launches Uber Rush in New York City, a courier service using bicycle messengers to deliver packages. This marks the beginning of Uber's transition into a logistics company.
21Uber confirms it has raised $1.2 billion in a Series D
Uber confirms it has raised $1.2 billion in a Series D round, with a pre-money valuation of $17 billion. Key investors include BlackRock, Google Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (with partner Megan Quinn), Menlo Ventures (Shawn Carolan), SherpaVentures (with partners Shervin Pishevar and Scott Stanford), Summit Partners, and Wellington Management.
22Uber officially launches in China
Uber officially launches in China, starting with Beijing.
23Uber officially launches in Lagos
Uber officially launches in Lagos, Nigeria, expanding its presence to Western Africa.
24Uber announces UberPool
Uber announces UberPool, which lets riders share rides based on proximity.
25Uber officially launches UberX in Canada
Uber officially launches UberX in Canada, starting with Toronto and Mississauga.
26"Asshole culture" of Uber
On October 22, 2014, an article by Sarah Lacy in PandoDaily was published where she sharply criticized the "asshole culture" of Uber and said she intended to delete the app from her phone.
27Uber expands its operations in Canada
Uber expands its operations in Canada by launching UberX in Montreal.
28"Outlined the notion of spending 'a million dollars'"
On November 17, 2014, BuzzFeed editor-in-chief Ben Smith reported that Uber senior executive Emil Michael "outlined the notion of spending 'a million dollars'" to hire four top opposition researchers and four journalists.
He said that team could help Uber fight back against the press by looking into "personal lives, your families". Michael was particularly focused on journalist Sarah Lacy, who accused Uber of “sexism and misogyny". Lacy wrote a sharp response critical of Uber's actions.
29Uber confirms it has raised $1.2 billion at a $40 billion pre-money valuation in a Series E
Uber confirms it has raised $1.2 billion at a $40 billion pre-money valuation in a Series E round. Key investors include Qatar Investment Authority, Valiant Capital Partners, Lone Pine Capital, New Enterprise Associates, and SherpaVentures.
30Uber driver in Delhi allegedly rapes a passenger
An Uber driver in Delhi allegedly rapes a passenger when driving her home late at night.
31Uber expands UberFRESH in some parts of the Los Angeles area
Uber expands UberFRESH in some parts of the Los Angeles area to include dinner delivery during weekdays.
32Chinese search technology company Baidu announces a $600 million strategic investment in Uber
Chinese search technology company Baidu announces a $600 million strategic investment in Uber, also classified as a continuation of the Series E round, thereby bringing the Series E total to $1.8 billion.
33Uber gets $1.6 billion from Goldman Sachs in debt financing
Uber gets $1.6 billion from Goldman Sachs in debt financing.
34Uber launches its first product in East Africa
Uber launches its first product in East Africa, in Nairobi, Kenya.
35Uber opens robotics research facility In Pittsburgh to build self-driving cars
Uber opens robotics research facility In Pittsburgh to build self-driving cars. In May, Uber poaches 50 employees from Carnegie Mellon's National Robotics Engineering Center.
36Didi Dache and Kuaidi Dache, the two biggest players in the low-cost app-based taxi hailing market in China
Didi Dache and Kuaidi Dache, the two biggest players in the low-cost app-based taxi hailing market in China, announce a merger into Didi Kuaidi. The merged company would be significantly larger than Uber in China.
37Uber raises an additional $1 billion in its $40 billion pre-money valuation Series E
Uber raises an additional $1 billion in its $40 billion pre-money valuation Series E, increasing the total Series E money raised to $2.8 billion (after adding the first $1.2 billion and the next $600 million raised from Baidu).
The additional investors are Times Internet, Foundation Capital, and Accelerated IT Ventures.
38UberFRESH available in New York City and Chicago
UberFRESH, which launched in the Los Angeles area in August 2014, rebrands itself as UberEATS. The rebranding is linked to an effort to rapidly expand to other areas. The service is already available in New York City and Chicago and plans to expand to many other locations.
39California Labor Commission rules that a particular Uber driver is an employee
California Labor Commission rules that a particular Uber driver is an employee, not independent contractor.
40Administrative judge recommends that Uber be fined $7.3 million and suspended from operating in California
Administrative judge recommends that Uber be fined $7.3 million and suspended from operating in California.
41Uber has completed a Series F round
It is announced that Uber has completed a Series F round, raising $1 billion at a $50 billion pre-money valuation (so a $51 billion post-money valuation). Key investors are Microsoft and Bennett, Coleman, & Co, Ltd., the parent company of The Times Group, India's largest media conglomerate.
42Uber raises $100 million in private equity from the Tata Opportunities Fund
Uber raises $100 million in private equity from the Tata Opportunities Fund, a fund of the Tata Group in India, with the goal of using the money to help it double down on its India operations.
43Battle to maintain market dominance against Uber in China
Chinese Uber competitor Didi Kuaidi, the entity formed through the merger of Didi Dache and Kuaidi Dache, raises $3 billion to move more aggressively in its battle to maintain market dominance against Uber in China.
44Uber further expands its operations in Canada by launching UberX in Calgary
Uber further expands its operations in Canada by launching UberX in Calgary.
45Global technology and service alliance
Uber competitors Lyft (United States), Didi Kuaidi (China), Ola Cabs (India), and GrabTaxi (South-East Asia) (all of which have Softbank as an investor) announce a global technology and service alliance.
46Uber announces that it is raising $2.1 billion at a $62.5 billion valuation
Uber announces that it is raising $2.1 billion at a $62.5 billion valuation.
47UberEATS is spun off into a separate standalone app
UberEATS, Uber's food delivery service, is spun off into a separate standalone app, and now offers all-day delivery in Toronto. The new app is not available for other regions.
48UberEATS app with all-day delivery launches in Los Angeles
On March 1, the new UberEATS app with all-day delivery launches in Los Angeles, California.
49UberEATS launches in Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco
On March 15, UberEATS launches in Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco, and announces plans to launch in a number of other US cities in the coming months.
50Uber launches in Buenos Aires
Uber launches in Buenos Aires, Argentina amidst claims of illegality and taxi protests.
51Uber and Lyft cease operations in Austin
On May 9, Uber and Lyft cease operations in Austin, Texas. This is in response to a city ordinance upheld by Austin voters on May 7 that would require drivers for Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies to get fingerprint checks, to have their vehicles labeled, and to not pick up and drop off in certain city lanes.
52Uber announces that it is changing its app to inform riders of the price of their ride when they book it, rather than simply providing a surge multiplier
Uber announces that it is changing its app to inform riders of the price of their ride when they book it, rather than simply providing a surge multiplier. The move is prompted by the observation that UberPool users, who do see the ride price upfront, are more likely to continue using the service. Price changes triggered by destination changes will be sent to riders in real time.
Changes to routes due to traffic or other reasons not under the rider's control will not result in a change to the price charged upfront. The move is not an end to surge pricing but rather a change in the way the surge pricing is communicated to customers. The change, officially announced in late June, had already been rolled out at the time of announcement in several cities, and had received some commentary in May.
53Uber opens up the Uber RUSH API to developers
Uber opens up the Uber RUSH API to developers. The goal of this API is to make it easy for merchants to integrate the use of Uber drivers into their delivery system. The tool has been used by select small businesses since October 2015, and the opening up to the public is to encourage more widespread adoption.
54Uber launches in Kiev
Uber launches in Kiev, Ukraine.
55Uber leaves Budapest
Uber leaves Budapest, Hungary.
56Uber, legal in the country
The Chinese government issues guidelines to make ride-hailing services, such as Uber, legal in the country.
57Didi Chuxing (formerly Didi Kuaidi), the dominant player in China's ridesharing market, agrees to buy Uber China
Didi Chuxing (formerly Didi Kuaidi), the dominant player in China's ridesharing market, agrees to buy Uber China, Uber's business in China. The Uber brand will be retained, but Didi would “integrate the managerial and technological experience and expertise of the two teams.” Uber reportedly lost $2 billion trying to make inroads in China.
58The cars are modified version of the Volvo sports utility vehicle equipped with Uber's technology for self-driving
Uber announces plans to launch service with self-driving cars in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where its robotics research facility, built with employees poached from Carnegie Mellon University in 2015, is located.
The cars are modified version of the Volvo sports utility vehicle equipped with Uber's technology for self-driving. Cars will have drivers at the wheel, monitoring the vehicle, as required by law. The move is seen by commentators as the first step in Uber's ambitious goal of replacing its entire fleet with autonomous vehicles.
59Uber begins mapping UK streets
Uber begins mapping UK streets in an effort to identify the best pick-up and drop-off points from its own images.
60Uber loses the case of Aslam v Uber BV on workers' rights
Uber loses the case of Aslam v Uber BV on workers' rights. Appeals to the UK Employment Appeal Tribunal.
61Uber launches a redesigned rider app
Uber launches a redesigned rider app, with a simplified user flow that focuses on identifying the destination first, then shows ride options with prices, and then gives driver contact information and allows riders to make adjustments such as split fare and get more information about the destination. The app also connects better with the user's current location, real-world identity, favorite places (such as work and home) and integration with services such as Foursquare and Yelp for destination-specific information, in what is seen as an attempt to pull users into spending more time in the app.
62Uber begins beta testing a program in select cities to pick up passengers aged 13 through 17
Uber begins beta testing a program in select cities to pick up passengers aged 13 through 17, previously not allowed on the company's terms of service.
63Uber CEO Travis Kalanick takes summer sabbatical after an investigation into the company's workplace culture
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick takes summer sabbatical after an investigation into the company's workplace culture.
64Travis Kalanick resigns as CEO
Travis Kalanick resigns as CEO.
65Dara Khosrowshahi is hired as CEO
Dara Khosrowshahi is hired as CEO.
66A Uber branded Visa credit card is announced for the United States market
A Uber branded Visa credit card is announced for the United States market, in partnership with Barclays. The card became open for applications on November 2, 2017.
67Uber further expands its operations in Canada
Uber further expands its operations in Canada by launching in Saskatoon.
68Uber raises $8.1 billion at $45 per share in its IPO
Uber raises $8.1 billion at $45 per share in its IPO, valuing the company at $82 billion.
69Uber began offering a helicopter taxi service between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport
In October 2019, in partnership with HeliFlight, Uber began offering a helicopter taxi service between Manhattan and John F. Kennedy International Airport.
70Uber further expands its operations in Canada by launching in Vancouver
Uber further expands its operations in Canada by launching in Vancouver, British Columbia and other parts of Metro Vancouver.
71Uber acquired Careem
In January 2020, Uber acquired Careem for $3.1 billion.
72Uber announced plans to layoff 3,700 employees
On May 5, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Uber announced plans to layoff 3,700 employees, around 14% of its total workforce. On May 18, 2020, 3,000 more job cuts and 45 office closures were announced.
73Uber announced that it would manage the on-demand high-occupancy vehicle fleet for Marin Transit
In June 2020, Uber announced that it would manage the on-demand high-occupancy vehicle fleet for Marin Transit, a public bus agency in Marin County, California. This partnership is Uber's first SaaS partnership.
74Uber in partnership with its majority-owned Cornershop
In July 2020, Uber in partnership with its majority-owned Cornershop, launched Uber grocery delivery service in Latin America, Canada, Miami, and Dallas.
75Uber announced that it had lost $5.8 billion
In November 2020, Uber announced that it had lost $5.8 billion.
76Uber acquired Postmates
On December 1, 2020, Uber acquired Postmates for $2.65 billion.
77Uber announced the purchase delivery service Drizly
In early February 2021, Uber announced the purchase of Boston-based alcohol delivery service Drizly for $1.1 billion in cash and stock.
78Uber said that its employees are expected to return to the office
In April 2021, Uber said that its employees are expected to return to the office by September 13 and to work at least three days per week from the office.
Later in the month, Uber announced it would be expanding upon its food-delivery features to further integrate them with its ride service to accommodate a vaccinated public. Vaccination appointments will be facilitated through the app as well.