Lyft recently scored a successful $1.5 billion funding from new investors, and now the company is making some interesting moves. The ride-hailing company just hired a vice president of corporate development and investor relations. Kristina Omari, former vice president of corporate development for Fitbit, scored the position with Lyft.
“She brings a proven track record of helping companies grow in a fast-paced environment,” Brian Roberts, Lyft’s chief financial officer, said in a statement. “Her skills and experience will help Lyft continue to expand.”
Lyft has always been behind and the underdog compared to Uber. It received $4.1 billion in venture funding and is valued at $11.5 billion. Uber on the other hand received $12.9 billion and is valued at $68 billion. While this move from Lyft gives us an idea that the company is interested in an IPO, Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said he’s aiming for Uber to go public in the next 18 to 36 months.
Uber hasn’t had a good 2017, but Lyft, however, has had a great year. The company has taken advantage at Uber’s expense. It launched in dozens of new cities across the country and has even gone international into Canada. Sources familiar with the matter have told New York Times in October that Lyft is exploring on going public in 2018. That’s one of the reason why Lyft has been seeing additional investments, totaling more than $2 billion.
“Lyft has had an amazing year,” Omari said in a statement. “I can’t wait to help the company continue delivering for passengers and drivers.” Before working with Lyft, Omari worked with Adobe, Hewlett-Packard and Lehman Brothers.
