what a ride: how ie university & naiss built the most successful carpooling program yet
naiss is one of those rare initiatives that makes sustainability tangible, social, and enjoyable. what's remarkable is how students are choosing to make greener choices—not out of obligation, but because it fits into their daily lives in a meaningful way. that's the kind of organic, lasting change we need more of.
back in september 2024, naiss and ie university launched a simple experiment:
could we make commuting something students actually looked forward to?
we weren't trying to launch the next uber.
we weren't focused on monetization.
we were focused on solving one of the biggest problems in shared mobility:
retention.
because most carpooling initiatives?
they launch big. then fizzle out.
people try it once or twice… then ghost.
so what did we do differently?
we built a culture, not a feature.
we made the ride the fun part — not just the logistics.
and with a little help from parking spots, naiss points, and a selfie bot, we made it stick.
📍 the data speaks
active carpooling routes across campus
squad leaderboard performance
naissers doing their thing...
📊 results that matter
over 7 months of the 2024–2025 academic year, here's what we achieved:
to put it simply:
this is the most successful carpooling initiative ever deployed on a university campus.
while most similar projects average 4–10 rides per month per group… naiss squads hit 25+.
that's not just usage — that's habit.
🛠️ built small, proved big
what makes these results even more meaningful?
there was no big launch.
- no promotional campaign.
- no stands outside classrooms.
- no one forcing students to join.
just a small group of early users who helped us test, shape, and grow naiss — organically.
this wasn't about reaching thousands overnight. it was about testing one thing:
can carpooling actually stick?
the answer? yes — and next year, we scale.
📸 the community in action
from car selfies to parking spot celebrations — every moment documented.
🧠 why it worked
because we focused on what really matters:
low friction
carpooling isn't a process — it's a moment. ride. shot. memory. done.
proof, not promises
every ride was documented through a "naiss shot" — a car selfie that served as both a memory and a receipt.
gamified sustainability
weekly leaderboards, rewards, and a growing sense of community made shared commuting something to be proud of.
real rewards
free parking spots. better spots. monthly prizes. recognition. reminders.
we proved that carpooling isn't about matching — it's about meaning.
📱 connecting with students
naiss didn't just work on campus — it resonated across social media.
students didn't just use naiss — they shared it, celebrated it, and made it their own.
💌 ready to scale the movement?
we're looking for visionary partners to bring naiss to new communities worldwide.
🙏 to ie — thank you
to the students who posted naiss shots in rain, sun, and exam weeks.
to the staff who backed us.
to the university that believed early.
you made shared mobility real.
and you helped spark a movement.
let's keep driving it forward. together.
— the naiss team