Robin Chase

Robin Chase

Pioneer of the Collaborative Economy, Co-Founder of Zipcar & Visionary in Future Mobility

Core Intelligence Domain: Innovation & Collaborative Economy
Location: Cambridge, USA & Paris, France | Languages: English, French
Representation: Represented globally by PSpeakers Global Intelligence

Robin Chase is a globally recognised mobility pioneer, technology entrepreneur, and the co-founder and former CEO of Zipcar, the world’s leading car-sharing network. As a premier architect of the collaborative economy, she possesses an unparalleled understanding of how excess capacity, digital platforms, and peer-to-peer networks can be leveraged to disrupt traditional industries, build resilient infrastructures, and combat climate change at scale. Her strategic foresight has consistently anticipated global shifts in consumer behaviour and resource management, making her a highly sought-after advisor for C-suite leaders and policymakers navigating the complexities of modern technological and environmental disruption.

A Legacy of Disruptive Innovation

Robin’s entrepreneurial journey is defined by her ability to identify structural inefficiencies and build transformative solutions. In 2000, she co-founded Zipcar, fundamentally redefining urban transport by providing access to vehicles without the burdens of ownership. Under her leadership, Zipcar established the blueprint for the modern sharing economy.

She did not stop there. Robin went on to found and lead multiple innovative ventures that further advanced the principles of shared mobility and networked infrastructure. She created Buzzcar, a pioneering peer-to-peer car-sharing service in France (later acquired by Drivy/Getaround), and GoLoco, an early online ride-sharing community. Furthermore, she co-founded Veniam, a network company that moves data between vehicles and the cloud, turning fleets into mesh networks to provide secure, high-speed internet connectivity for the autonomous and connected vehicle ecosystem (acquired by Nexar).

The “Peers Inc” Framework

Through her extensive experience in building platform-based businesses, Robin developed the proprietary Peers Inc framework, detailed in her critically acclaimed book, Peers Inc: How People and Platforms Are Inventing the Collaborative Economy and Reinventing Capitalism. This strategic model demonstrates how the most successful modern enterprises combine the scale, capital, and standardisation of corporate entities (“Inc”) with the localised knowledge, customisation, and agility of individuals (“Peers”).

This framework is heavily utilised by forward-thinking executives to:

• Unlock Excess Capacity: Identify underutilised assets within existing corporate structures to generate new revenue streams.
• Accelerate Innovation: Harness crowdsourcing and open data to rapidly prototype and deploy new solutions.
• Build Resilient Networks: Shift from rigid, top-down supply chains to agile, distributed networks capable of weathering global shocks.

Global Influence and Advisory Leadership

Robin is a commanding voice on the global stage, advising national governments, international coalitions, and Fortune 500 boards. She has served on the boards of the World Resources Institute, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the French National Digital Council. She is also a key figure in NUMO (New Urban Mobility alliance), a global collaborative aimed at harnessing new technologies to create joyful, resilient, and equitable cities.

Her profound impact has earned her numerous accolades. She has been listed among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, Fast Company’s Fast 50 Innovators, and BusinessWeek’s Top 10 Designers. Her insights are regularly featured in leading international publications, and she remains a vital contributor to discussions surrounding climate action, smart cities, and the transition to a zero-carbon economy.

Core Speaking Themes

• The Collaborative Economy & The Peers Inc Model: How to build exponential growth by leveraging platforms and peer networks to unlock hidden value.
• The Future of Mobility and Smart Cities: Strategic insights into autonomous vehicles, micro-mobility, and the infrastructure required to support sustainable urban growth.
• Climate Capitalism: How corporations can align profitability with urgent climate action, transitioning from resource-heavy operations to sustainable, shared ecosystems.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurial Agility: Lessons from building disruptive startups and how legacy corporations can adopt a startup mentality to survive industry transformations.
• Navigating Technological Disruption: Preparing leadership teams for the rapid integration of AI, IoT, and mesh networks into everyday business operations.

Key Takeaways

• Pioneering Expertise: Unmatched authority as the co-founder of Zipcar and architect of the modern sharing economy.
• Proprietary Strategy: Creator of the Peers Inc framework, offering a practical blueprint for platform-based corporate growth and innovation.
• Forward-Looking Vision: Deep insights into the convergence of technology, mobility, and climate sustainability, equipping leaders to future-proof their organisations.
• Global Authority: A trusted advisor to international governments and major institutions, renowned for translating complex systemic challenges into actionable business strategies.