Israeli Startup Ridewise Turns Daily Train Commutes into Networking Hubs
Automation tech lead Liran Ben-Zino has launched Ridewise, a platform designed to connect train commuters and foster professional networking during daily transit.
Liran Ben-Zino, a 36-year-old automation tech lead from Beersheba, has transformed his daily three-hour commute into a new startup called Ridewise. The platform aims to connect train passengers and facilitate professional networking during otherwise wasted travel time.
Turning Commutes into Opportunities
Spending a decade traveling between Beersheba and Ramat Gan, Ben-Zino realized that thousands of professionals sit side-by-side every day without interacting. Ridewise allows passengers to post what they are looking for or offering, browse other commuters' requests, and initiate direct meetings or conversations on specific train rides.
"We invest time and money attending professional events or searching for contacts on LinkedIn, yet the exact people we need might be sitting right next to us," Ben-Zino said. The platform is currently available via its web version, with dedicated iOS and Android applications slated for release soon.
Growing Community and Global Potential
Launched about a month ago, Ridewise has already gathered several hundred users. The project has attracted attention from recruiters seeking passive candidates and generated interest from international markets, including Switzerland and Germany, proving that the concept of turning travel time into productive networking is universally applicable.
