Uber holds talks to buy Bird and Lime

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• Uber has held talks about acquiring electric scooter
  companies Bird and Lime, The Information and the Financial
  Times report.
• The FT spoke with sources familiar with all three
  companies, who said the talks are at an early stage and could
  still fall apart.
• Uber launched its own scooters through Jump in
  October. 

Uber has reportedly held talks about a multi-billion dollar
acquisition of electric scooter startups Bird and Lime.

The Information originally reported Uber’s interest in the
buzzy scooter firms, while sources familiar with all three
companies
told the Financial Times that the talks are still at an early
stage.

The Information said a deal for either company could help Uber
alleviate scooter supply constraints after launching its Jump
brand of two-wheeled vehicles in October.

Read more:

Uber’s plan to buy UK delivery giant Deliveroo has stalled, with
the 2 sides said to be ‘miles apart’ on valuation

Bird and Lime are both unicorns — tech companies valued at over
$1 billion — and both have expanded internationally this year.

Uber declined to comment when contacted by the FT, and Lime did
not comment directly on the talks. Bird’s CEO told the FT in a
statement: “Bird is not for sale.”

Uber has been exploring multiple acquisitions this year,
acquiring e-bike company Jump Bikes in April, and reportedly
attempting to
acquire British food delivery firm Deliveroo.

Business Insider contacted Uber, Bird, and Lime for comment.