BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Electric bike and scooter rental company Lime is aiming for a valuation of up to $1.66 billion as it prepares to launch its U.S. initial public offering, seeking to capitalize on renewed investor enthusiasm for new stock market listings and growing interest in companies tied to urban mobility and sustainable transportation.
The San Francisco-based company announced plans to sell approximately 6.96 million shares, including shares offered by the company and certain existing shareholders. According to regulatory filings, the shares are expected to be priced between $24 and $26 each, potentially making Lime one of the most closely watched public offerings in the mobility sector this year.
The planned IPO comes as the U.S. market for new listings continues to regain momentum following a period of volatility linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. With stock markets recovering and several high-profile public offerings attracting strong investor demand, many private companies have accelerated their plans to go public before market conditions potentially become less favorable later in the year.
Lime initially filed for its public offering last month, marking a major milestone for a company that has grown into one of the world’s largest operators of shared electric bicycles and scooters.
Founded in 2017, Lime has built its business around providing short-term rentals of electric bikes and scooters through a smartphone application, allowing users to unlock and ride vehicles for short-distance urban travel. The company has expanded rapidly over the past several years as cities around the world have embraced alternative transportation options aimed at reducing traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions.
As of December 31, 2025, Lime operated in approximately 230 cities across 29 countries, making it one of the largest shared micromobility providers globally. Its network serves millions of riders who use its electric vehicles for commuting, tourism and short-distance transportation.
The company’s public offering is expected to provide an important measure of investor confidence in the shared mobility industry, which has experienced both rapid growth and significant financial challenges.
While demand for electric bikes and scooters has increased in many urban areas, companies operating in the sector continue to face high operating costs, vehicle maintenance expenses and complex regulatory requirements that vary from city to city. Competition for operating permits and evolving local transportation policies have also added uncertainty for businesses in the industry.
Despite expanding its global footprint, Lime has yet to achieve annual profitability. The company disclosed in its prospectus that it has reported net losses every year since it was founded.
For 2025, Lime recorded a net loss of $59.3 million while generating revenue of $886.7 million. Although the figures reflect continued revenue growth, they also highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing expansion with profitability in the highly competitive micromobility market.
A key source of confidence for prospective investors is Lime’s backing from major technology companies and institutional investors.
Ride-hailing giant Uber has been one of Lime’s most prominent supporters since leading a funding round in 2020. According to the latest regulatory filing, Uber has expressed interest in purchasing up to $20 million worth of shares in the IPO, demonstrating continued confidence in the company’s long-term business strategy.
The relationship between the two companies has strengthened over the years, with Lime’s services integrated into Uber’s app in many markets, allowing users to access both ride-hailing and micromobility options through a single platform.
Lime plans to use the proceeds from the public offering to strengthen its financial position and support future growth initiatives.
According to its filing, the company intends to use a portion of the funds to support general corporate operations and repay all outstanding debt. Remaining proceeds may also be directed toward strategic investments, acquisitions of complementary businesses or technologies, and purchases of intellectual property that could enhance its products and expand its market presence.
Such investments could help Lime improve vehicle technology, expand its software capabilities and develop new services as competition intensifies within the urban transportation sector.
The company has applied to list its shares on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “LIME.”
The offering is being led by several of Wall Street’s largest investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan and Jefferies, which are serving as lead underwriters for the transaction.
Lime’s market debut is expected to be closely monitored by investors and industry analysts alike. A successful IPO could reinforce confidence in the recovering U.S. market for new public listings while also providing insight into investor appetite for companies operating in the fast-evolving micromobility industry.
As cities continue investing in cleaner transportation infrastructure and consumers increasingly embrace environmentally friendly travel options, Lime is positioning itself to benefit from long-term trends favoring electric mobility. However, the company’s ability to deliver sustained profitability while navigating regulatory challenges and operational costs will remain a key focus for investors as it begins life as a publicly traded company.
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