Who Owns Hailo? The Journey of the Edge AI Pioneer

When discussing the owner of Hailo, the answer depends heavily on whether you mean the high-flying Israeli semiconductor startup famous for its Edge AI processors, or the pioneering British ride-hailing app that once dominated London’s taxi scene.

Because both companies share a powerful name and considerable market footprint, looking at the ownership history of each reveals two very different, fascinating business stories.

1. The AI Chipmaker: Hailo Technologies Ltd.

• Current Owner: Microchip Technology (acquired in September 2026)
• Founders: Orr Danon, Avi Baum, Hadar Zeitlin, and the late Rami Feig

For tech and hardware enthusiasts, “Hailo” refers to the Tel Aviv-based semiconductor powerhouse founded in 2017. Hailo built its reputation on designing specialized, highly efficient Edge AI processors (such as the Hailo-8 and Hailo-10) that allow smart devices—from automotive systems to security cameras and Raspberry Pi kits—to run complex machine learning and computer vision tasks locally, without relying on power-hungry cloud data centers.

From Unicorn Status to Acquisition

During its peak growth years, Hailo operated as a darling of the startup nation, raising roughly $341 million from prominent venture funds and high-profile private investors (including the Zisapel family, OurCrowd, and Delek Automotive). By early 2024, the company achieved a coveted unicorn valuation of $1.2 billion.

However, shifting macroeconomic conditions, heavy capital expenditures required for deep-tech hardware, and a collapsed SPAC merger eventually caught up with the company. Facing severe liquidity headwinds and a dramatic valuation correction, Hailo executed a steep strategic reset.

To secure its long-term future, American semiconductor giant Microchip Technology stepped in, signing a definitive acquisition agreement in July 2026 and officially completing the buyout. Today, Hailo operates under the umbrella of Microchip, integrating its advanced AI acceleration technology into Microchip’s expansive global embedded systems portfolio.

2. The Ride-Hailing App: Hailo (The Taxi App)

• Current Owner: FREE NOW (formerly myTaxi, a joint venture originally backed by Daimler and BMW)
• Founders: Jay Bregman, Ron Zeghibe, Terry Runham, Caspar Woolley, Gary Jackson, and Russel Hall

If you associate “Hailo” with urban transit and street-side transport, you are thinking of the pioneering British mobile app launched in London in 2011. Hailo revolutionized how passengers booked traditional black cabs via smartphone, quickly expanding to major cities across the UK, Ireland, and select international markets.

The Corporate Consolidation

As the ride-hailing wars heated up globally against giants like Uber, standalone independent apps needed massive financial backing to survive.

• The Merger: In late 2016, Hailo merged with myTaxi, a German e-hailing operator owned by Daimler Financial Services (Mercedes-Benz). This union created Europe’s largest taxi e-hailing operator.
• The Rebranding: Daimler later formed a massive mobility joint venture with BMW. In July 2019, myTaxi—along with its legacy Hailo roots—was officially rebranded globally as FREE NOW.

Summary Table

| Business Entity | Original Identity | Founding Era | Current Owner / Status |
| :— | :— | :— | :— |
| Hailo (AI Chips) | Edge AI semiconductor startup (Tel Aviv) | 2017 | Acquired by Microchip Technology in 2026 |
| Hailo (Taxi App) | Smartphone black-cab booking app (London) | 2011 | Absorbed into FREE NOW (Daimler/BMW joint venture ecosystem) |