Clean Transportation Innovators Expand Through Chamber Involvement

Two leaders in autonomous and electric public transportation, Orlando-based Beep and Miami-based Freebee, merged in September, creating a national powerhouse in the industry.

The merger shows how investments in clean, innovative technologies can expand Florida’s economy and how chambers of commerce help them grow. After all, the combined company will operate in more than 60 communities, serve more than two million riders each year, and employ nearly 1,000 people. Its headquarters will be Lake Nona, a major innovation hub east of Orlando.

“The Beep and Freebee merger is a great example of the kind of growth we want to see coming out of the Lake Nona ecosystem,” said Ashley Loute, executive director of the Lake Nona Regional Chamber of Commerce. “Beep has built and tested innovative mobility solutions here in Lake Nona, and today that work is scaling into a company serving communities across the country.”

Shortly before announcing the merger, Beep closed another investment round, bringing total capital raised to about $130 million.

Loute added that when companies headquartered in Lake Nona attract investment, create jobs and expand their reach, it strengthens the community’s reputation as a place where innovation becomes a real-world impact.

Both companies are leading a shift in how local governments can reduce the use of diesel buses and other gas-fueled systems.

Freebee shows another side of that transition by putting electric vehicles into public transportation systems people use every day. Beep demonstrates how communities use autonomous transportation to connect their population and commercial centers.

Together, the companies can now combine electric microtransit with autonomous technology at a much larger scale. With diesel costs skyrocketing, this is even more important today.

Since their inception, Beep and Freebee both have made local chambers part of their growth. Beep is a Business Builder member of the Lake Nona Regional Chamber, where co-founder Mark Reid serves on the board. It’s also a bronze member of the JAX Chamber in Jacksonville, another market where the company deploys its technology.

Freebee is a Trustee of the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In Miami Beach, Gus Doyle, Freebee’s business development executive, serves on the chamber’s board. In Seminole County, where Freebee operates the new all-electric SCOUT public transportation system, the company sponsors the Seminole County Chamber’s monthly Good Morning Seminole breakfast.

Clean energy and transportation companies have a lot to gain by joining their local chamber. Membership connects companies deploying new technologies with the businesses, local governments and community leaders who make decisions about economic development, infrastructure and growth.

Both companies have participated in CICE conversations with Florida chamber leaders. Racquel Asa, Beep’s then- chief marketing officer, joined a CICE clean energy panel at a Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP) conference. She discussed autonomous transportation, electrification, and the workforce needed to support those technologies

Freebee Vice President of Economic Development John Janusz spoke at a recent CICE panel discussion at FACP. He also participated in a CICE-moderated Seminole County Chamber discussion focused on SCOUT and how electric microtransit can expand transportation options.

In October, Lake Nona Regional Chamber members will get an even closer look when Beep hosts the Chamber’s Business After Hours at its Lake Nona headquarters, continuing its close ties with the chambers it supports.