Andrew Iniabere, a 40-year-old father from Wavertree, Liverpool, has invested more than £50,000 to launch Cabalot, a new ride-hailing app exclusively for Hackney cabs in the Liverpool region. The venture was inspired by a chance conversation with a taxi driver who expressed concern over the growing popularity of apps like Uber.
From Football to Entrepreneurship
Iniabere, a former professional footballer who played in the academies of Everton, Manchester United, and Bolton Wanderers, saw his playing career cut short at age 21 due to an ACL injury. He previously owned an off-licence and worked as a football agent, but considers Cabalot his most significant business venture to date.
Speaking to the ECHO, Iniabere said: "The idea came from a conversation I had with a taxi driver. I asked him how he felt about Uber coming into the city, and he told me it was affecting his income. That made me realise there was an opportunity to create something that better supports local black cab drivers."
Preserving Liverpool's Black Cab Heritage
Iniabere also felt that Liverpool's black cab heritage was being diminished. He wanted to help preserve it while giving drivers a platform that works in their favour. He partnered with app developer Ryan Jones to bring the concept to life, and Cabalot launched approximately six weeks ago.
Unlike other ride-hailing platforms, Cabalot works solely with Hackney cabs. Iniabere believes this gives passengers greater accessibility and helps protect an iconic part of Liverpool's transport network. He noted that black cabs are more accessible for people with disabilities, parents with prams, and passengers with luggage.
Positive Early Response
Iniabere reported that the response to Cabalot has been encouraging in its first six weeks. He emphasised the app's different business model: "Uber is a huge multinational company, but our model is different. We charge drivers a subscription and take just a 5% commission on each job, leaving them with a much larger share of their earnings."
Iniabere has invested over £50,000 into Cabalot, believing in its long-term potential. He chose Liverpool as the launch city because it is his hometown and he knows the local taxi trade well, with many drivers being his friends.
Future Expansion Plans
He added: "Liverpool was the obvious place to launch because it's my hometown. I was born and bred here, I know the local taxi trade well, and many of the drivers are friends of mine. It made sense to start by supporting my own city before expanding further."
The plan is to establish Cabalot in Liverpool first, then expand regionally before looking at the rest of the UK. Iniabere said: "I believe this is the right product, at the right time, for Liverpool. If we can support local drivers while giving passengers another quality option, that's a win for everyone."
Currently, the focus is on marketing and spreading the word. Iniabere believes the platform has the potential to grow across the UK and eventually internationally, but stresses the importance of getting the foundations right in Liverpool first.
