Brum, the OneDay Group startup that is modernising the driver’s licence study process in Italy, announces a new €3.5 million investment round, adding to the €600,000 raised a year and a half ago. An injection of capital intended to expand the service’s presence in new cities, enhance technology, scale up operations, and strengthen the network of qualified instructors. Believing in the start-up project is Italian Founders Fund, the investment fund supported by more than 100 digital entrepreneurs, family offices and professionals at the top of their fields.
Brum Education was founded with the aim of digitising the traditional and often cumbersome study and bureaucratic process required to obtain a driving licence. Co-founded by Luca Cozzarini Brum is inspired by existing and consolidated European business models, bringing to Italy a modern and innovative alternative for the sector, and aspires to become a point of reference for new generations in the field of road education. With more than 300 students enrolled in less than nine months, Brum positions itself as the concrete answer to the needs of those who are away from home or work, offering a smart and flexible service thanks to driving lesson bookings via app, structured feedback from instructors, and pick-up points spread throughout the city.
There are just under 6,700 active driving schools, with around 600,000 licence applicants each year, against more than 100,000 failed candidates. The failure rate for theory examinations is close to 38%, while that for practical examinations stands at 13%, a symptom of a system that is ineffective in preparing candidates. Added to this is a renewal market with around seven million applications per year,’ the start-up company said in a note. This is where Brum comes in, with the aim of digitising and simplifying the process of obtaining and renewing a driving licence, offering a smart, transparent and flexible alternative. Brum streamlines bureaucracy, reduces costs by 30 per cent and allows users to prepare at their own pace, with certified instructors and advanced digital tools.
In a fragmented industry dominated by family-owned businesses with an average age of instructors of over 50 years, Brum also aims to train new professionals for more autonomous, economically satisfying and flexible work management. “With Brum, instructors too can finally see their role recognised, both economically and professionally. Thanks to the digital tools dedicated to them, they can enhance their skills, optimise their time and have more opportunities for career advancement. This not only makes the profession more attractive, but also brings concrete benefits for driving schools, which can count on a greater number of qualified instructors and offer a better service to users,’ Cozzarini (pictured here with the team) states in a note.
Lorenzo Franzi of Italian Founders Fund says: “We decided to invest in Brum because we are enthusiastic about the innovative digital experience offered in an industry that has not seen significant evolution for some time, while user expectations have changed radically. We were impressed by the initial traction generated by the team and the high satisfaction of the first students.
Paolo De Nadai, President of the OneDay Group adds: ‘In a market still dominated by suffocating bureaucracy, Brum offers a transparent and cost-effective solution. I strongly believe in Brum’s vision of creating an ecosystem where students, instructors and driving schools can grow together, offering modern and efficient services, and I am delighted to share this adventure with Luca Cozzarini, who has already worked with us in WeRoad’.
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