Velotaxo does business in Estonia already for the fourth year, providing in Tallinn city center the transportation, advertising and entertainment service by eye-catching and environmentally friendly velotaxi that is operated by muscular and electric power.
At the moment about 40 self-employed individuals, providing first hand service, are employed as velotaxi drivers. Besides the taxi services the primary source of income of the company is the advertising space at velotaxis.

The company is doing well in Estonia and in order to extend the operation a search for additional possibilities was launched to provide the services abroad. While there is no provider of such service in Finland, though its advertising market is several times bigger, a decision in favour of Helsinki was passed. An agreement to bring the velotaxis to the Finnish market has been obtained from the Helsinki Municipality, in joint cooperation with the Transportation Office of the city useful routes and velotaxi stops have been developed. The initial plan involves the purchase of 5 velotaxis.

According to the company manager Herdis Ojasu one of the Velotaxo board members, Erko Valk (also known as the leader of the Prussakov Bicycle Union) got an idea to provide the velotaxi service years ago when he was visiting the European major cities where the service was already at the market. The sight charmed him by its novelty and positivity, as it had to do with environmentally sustainable and comfortable vehicles to move around specifically in Old Town. The banks displayed an initial doubtful attitude regarding the fresh idea, but it was still possible to obtain the velotaxis by the agency of KredEx and Sampo Bank. A good cooperation of both parties continues up to the present day, including also the financing of future expansion. At the beginning of the activities also the opposition of the Tallinn Municipality was met, but the differences of opinion found still a solution that satisfied both parties and the activities continued. The business has proven to be economically cost effective and in 3 seasons (1.5 calendar years) it has become possible to return about a million-kroon debt to the bank and earn a small profit.
As the Finnish tourists are one of the most active users of the service in Tallinn and there is no such service in Finland, the decision to enter the Helsinki taxi market was made. Based upon thus far obtained experience Ojasu considers the Finns as good and stable clients. But Finland is not the only market to be conquered. Next year already a new market is targetted, but as the idea is still under development there is so far no desire to make the plans public before taking any action.