Right now I would assume uncertainty being one huge risk. They have so many laws to follow, and to some certain get around - I wouldn't be surprised if they have teams of high-$$$ lawyers (on retainer) in every single country they're operating in, and probably lobbyists too.
Then there's local competition. Most countries have their own uber-like startups, which may be competitive in other areas.
And as others have mentioned, this business model doesn't scale very well. For every new country they enter, they have to hire new teams, do the marketing, put themselves into the laws of the land.
But I specifically think the law-aspect is the largest risk to them. One local ruling could basically wipe out their margins and business model, and essentially put their investments at a loss in said country.
It's not like they can enter a country with a 100% absence of established Taxi companies - wherever they go, and have gone, there have been opposition that's tried to get them classified as a regular taxi company.
Then there's local competition. Most countries have their own uber-like startups, which may be competitive in other areas.
And as others have mentioned, this business model doesn't scale very well. For every new country they enter, they have to hire new teams, do the marketing, put themselves into the laws of the land.
But I specifically think the law-aspect is the largest risk to them. One local ruling could basically wipe out their margins and business model, and essentially put their investments at a loss in said country.
It's not like they can enter a country with a 100% absence of established Taxi companies - wherever they go, and have gone, there have been opposition that's tried to get them classified as a regular taxi company.