In Europe, over 100,000 buses are sold each year. Yet, the process remains painfully outdated—slow, offline, and often confusing. Most buses start their lives in the north and, after multiple ownership changes, end up in places like Italy, Poland, and Spain. These countries rely heavily on buses for tourism and rural travel. Still, the resale process hasn’t evolved with the times.
Many bus owners don’t know how to sell or who to sell to. That’s why they often turn to brokers, operating in a murky system full of hidden fees. This is the problem Filippo and Federico Battaglia set out to fix when they launched Fleequid in late 2024.
Now, their startup has raised €3 million in Seed funding to bring speed, trust, and transparency to this overlooked market. Backers include Amsterdam-based DFF Ventures, Silence VC, FJ Labs, and Jack Greco, co-founder of ACV Auctions.
A Marketplace That Replaces Middlemen with Trust
The Battaglia brothers spent more than 10 years in their family business, Basco Srl, which trades buses across Europe. But the old system made it hard to scale. They had to reject most buses simply because there wasn’t an efficient way to resell them. With Fleequid, they’ve changed that.
Fleequid is Europe’s first online marketplace for used buses. Sellers list their vehicles, buyers place live bids, and deals close in just seven days. The platform handles everything—from inspection to payment to delivery. It removes the need for backroom deals and long email chains.
Each listing comes with 50+ high-quality photos, 360° videos, and detailed condition reports. All inspections are verified by Fleequid’s in-house experts. Once the deal is done, the platform takes care of ownership transfer and logistics—making it hassle-free for both parties.
Buyers can also set a maximum bid using the automated bidding tool, helping them stay competitive without constantly checking in.
Early Wins and Global Demand
Since its launch, Fleequid has sold hundreds of buses. Buyers have come from over 20 countries—from Iraq and Ghana to Bulgaria and Romania. The platform’s fast, digital process is clearly filling a global gap.
But the impact goes beyond convenience. Fleequid supports the EU’s circular economy by extending the life of buses that would otherwise go to waste. In fact, early data shows that 60% of buses sold on the platform replace outdated Euro III models, cutting emissions by up to 30% per vehicle.
DFF Ventures partner Maarten Engelen said they back founders who take on old, slow industries with bold ideas. “The Battaglia brothers know the system inside out. They’re not just improving how buses are sold—they’re rethinking the entire sector,” he said.
With this new funding, Fleequid plans to grow its team, improve the tech, and expand across Europe. The goal? Make trading a bus as easy as buying a train ticket online.
