A new digital platform, Hoppla, has entered the Georgian market, bringing a structured and modern approach to the country's informal hitchhiking culture. Dubbed the local analogue of BlaBlaCar, Hoppla is designed to connect drivers and passengers through a user-friendly online platform and, soon, a mobile application.
According to Luka Shavishvili, Hoppla's co-founder and director, the platform allows drivers to create ride listings and independently define their travel terms—whether offering a free ride or sharing fuel costs. "The driver sets the conditions, and the user chooses accordingly. We prioritize reliability, so all users undergo ID verification," Shavishvili told Business Partner.
While drivers can list rides for free, passengers booking a ride are charged a service fee of 2.5 GEL. Since its soft launch a month ago, Hoppla has already attracted 150 drivers and over 700 users, with marketing campaigns now in full swing.
The full mobile app is expected by the end of the year, and the team has ambitions beyond Georgia. Within six months, Hoppla plans to launch pilot projects in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey. “We’re aiming to adapt to regional needs within a year and believe Hoppla will become the Caucasus region’s answer to BlaBlaCar,” said Shavishvili.
Currently, Hoppla is the first platform of its kind in Georgia and the surrounding region, offering a structured, safe, and affordable alternative to traditional intercity travel.
