# Ornikar - Scout Report
*2025-02-02*
---
## Overview
Ornikar is France's leading online driving school, founded in 2013. The company operates a digital-first platform connecting learners with certified independent instructors, offering driving education, auto insurance, and mobility services at 30% lower cost than traditional driving schools.
| | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 |
| Stage | Series C |
| Funding | €146M total |
| Headcount | ~250 |
| HQ | Paris, France |
[Website](https://www.ornikar.com) · [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/ornikar) · [Crunchbase](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/ornikar)
---
## Insights
- First 100% online driving school in France with 5M+ students served
- Reached €100M revenue in 2024 (€80M driving school + €20M insurance)
- 1,800+ certified instructors across 2,800+ meeting points nationwide
- Successfully pivoted to insurance (100,000+ policyholders, 4.7/5 rating)
- Acquired by BYmyCAR competitor En Voiture Simone signals market consolidation
---
## Funding
| Round | Amount | Date | Lead Investor |
|-------|--------|------|---------------|
| Series C | $120M (€100M) | April 2021 | KKR |
| Series B | $40M (€35M) | June 2019 | Idinvest, Bpifrance |
| Series A | $12.3M (€10M) | March 2018 | Idinvest Partners |
| Seed | $1.9M (€1.5M) | November 2014 | Elaia |
Total Raised: ~$174M (€146M)
Pre-money Valuation (Series C): $630M
Key Investors: KKR, Idinvest Partners, Bpifrance, Elaia, Eurazeo, Brighteye Ventures, Partech
*Source: Crunchbase*
---
## Team
### Benjamin Gaignault - Co-Founder
Co-founded Ornikar in 2013. Led the company through early growth phase. Now Co-Founder at Skarlett. Education: Euromed Marseille.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-gaignault
### Flavien Le Rendu - Co-Founder, ex-CEO
Co-founded Ornikar shortly after launch. Led company operations and fundraising. Previously VC Analyst at Jaïna Capital. Education: HEC Paris.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/flavien-le-rendu
### Philippe Maso y Guell Rivet - CEO
Current CEO of Ornikar. Also leads Ornikar Assurances subsidiary.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/philippemasoyguellrivet
---
## Product
### Core Product Overview
Ornikar is a digital-first driving school platform that disrupts traditional auto-école models by connecting learners directly with certified independent instructors. The platform handles the entire learning journey—from theory (code de la route) to practical lessons and exam booking—while leveraging technology to reduce costs by 30-50% compared to traditional schools.
### Major Product Components
1. Code de la Route (Theory): AI-powered learning platform with 1,500+ exam-compliant questions, progress tracking, and unlimited practice tests. Mobile-first design enables learning anywhere.
2. Practical Driving Lessons: Marketplace connecting 1,800+ certified instructors with learners. Flexible scheduling, geolocation-based matching across 2,800+ meeting points.
3. Exam Booking: Automated exam slot reservation system, reducing wait times. Accelerated programs available in Paris & Nantes.
4. Ornikar Assurance Auto: Full-stack insurance product for new drivers (100,000+ policyholders). Leverages driving data for personalized pricing. 4.7/5 rating.
5. Ornikar Assurance Habitation: Home insurance cross-sell targeting young renters, starting at €2.17/month.
6. B2B Services: Point recovery courses (2,000+ programs), CPF financing integration, and road safety training for businesses.
7. International Expansion: Onroad brand for Spanish market, same tech stack localized.
### Pricing
| Product | Price | Notes |
|---------|-------|-------|
| Code de la route | €2.99 | Unlimited access |
| Driving lesson | ~€40/hour | Varies by region |
| Full license pack | €439.99 | 20h driving + code (promo, regular €559.99) |
| Auto insurance | -€430 avg savings | vs. competitors |
| Home insurance | From €2.17/month | - |
| CPF financing | From €100 | Government-funded |
*Source: ornikar.com - February 2025*
---
## Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
### Primary ICP: First-Time License Candidate
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| Age | 18-25 years |
| Status | Students, young professionals |
| Location | Urban & suburban France (Île-de-France, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux) |
| Budget | Price-sensitive, seeking <€800 total |
| Behavior | Mobile-first, compares online before buying |
| Pain Points | High traditional prices (€1,500-2,000), long wait times, rigid schedules |
| Motivation | Need license for job, independence |
### Secondary ICP: Career Changer / Late Learner
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| Age | 25-40 years |
| Status | Working professionals, career changers |
| Budget | Uses CPF credits (employer-funded) |
| Pain Points | No time for traditional schedules, needs evening/weekend lessons |
| Motivation | Job requirement, relocation to suburban area |
### Tertiary ICP: Young Driver (Insurance)
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| Age | 18-30 years |
| Status | New license holders |
| Pain Points | High insurance premiums for young drivers |
| Motivation | Affordable first car insurance, bundle discount |
### Buyer Personas
| Persona | Decision Maker | Budget Source |
|---------|----------------|---------------|
| Student (18-22) | Parents | Family funding |
| Young Professional (22-30) | Self | Personal savings, CPF |
| Career Changer (30-40) | Self + HR | CPF (employer) |
| Parent buying for child | Parent | Family budget |
### Key Differentiators
- Price: 30% cheaper than traditional auto-écoles
- Coverage: 2,800 meeting points across France (largest network)
- Flexibility: Book/cancel lessons via app, no commitment
- Ecosystem: Only player offering license + insurance bundle
- CPF Integration: Eligible for government training credits
- Scale: 5M+ students served, 18,000+ Trustpilot reviews (4.3/5)
---
## Reviews
| Source | Rating | Reviews | Key Feedback |
|--------|--------|---------|--------------|
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 | 18,000+ reviews | Fast booking, good prices, flexible scheduling |
| G2 | 4.5/5 | 50+ reviews | Easy to use, affordable, good instructor network |
| Google Play | 4.2/5 | 10,000+ reviews | Solid app, occasional booking issues |
Common Praise: Affordable pricing, flexible scheduling, large instructor network, mobile app convenience
Common Complaints: Instructor quality varies by region, exam slot availability, customer support response times
*Sources: Trustpilot, G2*
---
## Market
### Market Segments
Mobility Education & Services
├── Driver Education
│ ├── Traditional Auto-Écoles (12,000+ schools)
│ ├── Online Driving Schools ← Ornikar core position
│ └── Corporate Fleet Training
├── Driver Insurance
│ ├── Young Driver Insurance ← Ornikar expansion
│ ├── Standard Auto Insurance
│ └── Usage-Based Insurance (UBI)
└── Ancillary Services
├── Point Recovery Courses ← Ornikar B2B
├── Road Safety Training
└── Vehicle Financing
### Market Sizing
| Level | Segment | Size | Source |
|-------|---------|------|--------|
| TAM | Global driving school market | ~$103B | Business Research Company |
| SAM | European driving schools | ~€4.6B | Kentley Insights |
| SOM | French online driving schools | ~€300M | Market estimates (15-20% of €2B French market) |
### Key Market Data
- 800,000 new licenses issued annually in France
- 50 million license holders in France (largest exam by volume)
- ~€1,500 average cost at traditional auto-école
- 12,000+ traditional driving schools in France
- 6-8% market share captured by online players (growing to ~15-20%)
- 30,000+ candidates presented by online schools in Q1 2024
### Market Trends
| Trend | Impact on Ornikar |
|-------|-------------------|
| Digitalization of learning | Tailwind - core value prop |
| Rising traditional prices | Tailwind - price advantage grows |
| Permis de conduire reform | Neutral - simplifies process |
| Insurtech growth | Tailwind - validates insurance pivot |
| Market consolidation | Neutral - competitors being acquired |
| Urbanization / shared mobility | Headwind - fewer license needs in cities |
| Remote work normalization | Tailwind - suburban migration needs cars |
---
## Competitors
| Name | Positioning | Funding | Key Metrics |
|------|-------------|---------|-------------|
| En Voiture Simone | Best value for money | Acquired by BYmyCAR | 5,505 candidates Q1 2024 |
| Stych | 75 physical agencies + online | €50M revenue | 800 meeting points, 487 cities |
| Le Permis Libre | First IPO in sector | IPO (struggling) | 1,000 meeting points |
| Auto-Ecole.net | Hybrid (agencies + online) | Not disclosed | Salaried instructors |
| Traditional auto-écoles | Local, in-person | N/A | 12,000+ schools |
### Competitive Positioning
Ornikar leads in:
- Network coverage (2,800+ meeting points - largest)
- Brand recognition (5M+ students, 18K+ reviews)
- Product diversification (only license + insurance bundle)
- Funding (€146M raised)
Competitors lead in:
- Price (En Voiture Simone - best value)
- Physical presence (Stych - 75 agencies)
- Free code (Stych offers free theory training)
- Pass rates (varies by region)
---
## Hiring
| Department | Open Roles | Level | Source |
|------------|------------|-------|--------|
| Engineering | 5+ positions | Senior/Lead | WTTJ |
| Product | 2 positions | Mid/Senior | WTTJ |
| Sales | 3 positions | Junior/Mid | Careers |
Investment Focus: Engineering and product teams, scaling insurance platform
Tech Stack: React, Node.js, Python, AWS, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL
*Sources: Welcome to the Jungle, Ornikar Careers*
---
## News
- 2024: Reached €100M revenue milestone (€80M driving + €20M insurance)
- April 2021: €100M Series C led by KKR
- 2020: Launched Ornikar Assurances (auto + home insurance)
- 2019: €35M Series B, expansion to Spain under Onroad brand
- 2018: €10M Series A from Idinvest Partners
---
## SWOT
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|-----------|------------|
| Market leader in France (2,800+ points) | Dependent on independent instructors |
| Strong brand (5M+ students, 4.3/5 Trustpilot) | Lower margins than traditional schools |
| Diversified revenue (driving + insurance) | Limited international presence (Spain only) |
| Well-funded (€146M raised) | Founder transitions (both co-founders moved on) |
| Opportunities | Threats |
|---------------|---------|
| European expansion | Market consolidation (competitors being acquired) |
| B2B corporate training | Regulatory changes |
| Insurance cross-sell to existing base | Pass-rate scrutiny from traditional schools |
| Banking/fintech services for young drivers | Urban mobility shift (less car ownership) |
---
## Sources
- Crunchbase - Ornikar
- Crunchbase - Funding Rounds
- G2 - Ornikar Reviews
- Ornikar.com
- L'Argus - Auto-écoles en ligne classement
- LinkedIn - Ornikar
- Pappers - Marianne Formation