Gertjon Çobo, the founder of VrapOn Taxi App, is building a success story in Albania’s transportation industry with a 100% homegrown startup. With experience as a university lecturer, a leader in the tourism industry, and a clear entrepreneurial vision, he launched a platform in July 2023 that caters to the needs of the Albanian community. In this interview, Gertjon shares what makes VrapOn unique, the challenges faced along the way, and his plans for taking this initiative even further.
What are some of the main challenges you faced while developing VrapOn, and how did you overcome them?
Starting a startup in Albania, especially in an industry like transportation, quickly makes you realize that challenges are numerous and sometimes unpredictable. One of the first hurdles we faced was convincing drivers and passengers that this new way of transportation was safer, easier, and more efficient. Initially, many drivers were hesitant to transition from traditional taxi work to a real-time automated ordering system. They were afraid of technology.
To address this, we organized continuous meetings and training sessions with drivers, explaining how VrapOn Taxi App would simplify their work and help them increase their earnings. One of the most interesting cases was a driver who initially rejected the idea of using the app but is now one of our most active users, having tripled his rides thanks to our platform.
The second challenge was educating the market about a new way of moving around. Albanians are still accustomed to traditional methods of calling a taxi, so we had to invest in communication and marketing to show people that with a single click, they could order a car, see the price in advance, and track the driver’s route in real-time.
Another obstacle was securing the necessary funding for continuous platform development. Tech startups require significant investments in software, servers, security improvements, and expansion. To overcome this, we applied for funding and support programs such as the Challenge Fund.
What are the biggest achievements of your startup so far?
VrapOn Taxi App is a 100% Albanian-made application, built entirely from scratch. When we started this journey, VrapOn was just a bold idea. Today, that idea has become a reality, transforming how Albanians move around their cities.
One of our biggest achievements is the rapid growth rate, gaining a large user base in a short period. Another proud moment came at the beginning of 2025 with the launch of VrapOn Business, a service designed to help companies that need transportation for their staff and clients. This service is growing rapidly, and many major companies are already using it to manage their transportation needs.
VrapOn Business allows company staff (and others) to have a safe and reliable transport solution for daily business needs. This is an example of how VrapOn Taxi App is not just a taxi app but a platform that creates real solutions for the community.
Moreover, I have always believed that success should not only come from outside but should also be created here, in Albania. It’s time for Albanian startups to become key players in the regional market.
What do you envision for VrapOn in the next 3-5 years?
Looking ahead, I can confidently say that this is just the beginning. In the next 3-5 years, I see an expanded VrapOn, not only within Albania but also in the Balkans. Mobility is a global industry, and technology allows us to operate wherever there is a need for an efficient transport solution.
When you embark on an innovative journey, you always have a vision that goes beyond what is immediately visible. VrapOn was born from a clear need for a faster, more reliable, and more convenient way to travel, but the journey doesn’t stop here. Over time, every innovation either succeeds or fails based on its ability to evolve and adapt to changes.
Our goal is to move beyond the traditional concept of mobility services and create a smarter, more personalized, and more responsive approach tailored to market realities and user needs.
In the long run, our vision is to become a success story not only locally but also beyond. We believe that every market has room for innovation and improvement, and our challenge is to bring a new experience that changes how people perceive and experience daily transportation.
Do you have any key partnerships that have been crucial to the growth of your startup?
In the journey of every startup, partnerships play a crucial role because it’s impossible to build something big and sustainable alone. VrapOn Taxi App has been fortunate to collaborate with various stakeholders who have helped strengthen and expand our platform, making it more functional and reliable for users.
One of the most important collaborations has been with businesses and corporations that needed a structured solution for transporting their employees and clients. This has given VrapOn a new dimension, as we are not only serving individual users but also providing mobility solutions at a business level.
Another key milestone was receiving support from the Challenge Fund, which has helped us not only with technological growth but also with market exposure and new opportunities for expansion.
Additionally, partnerships with hotels, tour operators, and other service industry companies have helped us expand our customer base and create a transportation system that is not just a mode of travel but an integrated part of the overall experience for clients.
What we’ve learned is that every successful partnership comes from clear synergy between the parties, where each contributes value. In the future, we aim to further strengthen and expand these partnerships, exploring new opportunities in the technology, tourism, and logistics sectors to make VrapOn an even more powerful and inclusive platform.
You were recently selected as a winner in the second phase of the Challenge Fund. What projects do you plan to implement with this support?
Winning in the second phase of the Challenge Fund was a very important moment for VrapOn Taxi App, as it has given us the opportunity to focus on a key aspect of every startup’s development: marketing and product awareness.
So far, we have built a functional and innovative platform, but the biggest challenge is making it widely known. The funding from the Challenge Fund will primarily be used for developing and implementing a strong marketing strategy, which includes increasing our market presence, educating clients on the benefits of the platform, and building a powerful brand image for VrapOn.
One of the key points of this plan is creating personalized campaigns for our potential customers, including both individual users and businesses looking for integrated transportation solutions. We will also invest in improving promotional materials, creating dedicated videos, and launching a targeted digital campaign to raise awareness and attract more active users.
Beyond traditional and digital marketing, the funding will also help us strengthen communication with existing partners and build new collaborations, increasing our market presence and making VrapOn a natural choice for anyone looking for a fast, reliable, and innovative transport solution.
With this support, our goal is to increase platform usage, build a loyal customer community, and position VrapOn as the leading mobility service provider in Albania.
What is your vision for the future of your startup, and how do you want VrapOn to be remembered in your industry?
VrapOn is not just a taxi app; it’s an innovative initiative that aims to revolutionize how Albanians and visitors move around the country. What makes this project even more special is the fact that it is a 100% Albanian-made app, created and developed by local professionals, tailored to the needs and realities of the Albanian market.
At a time when most major transportation platforms are international, we are building a homegrown solution for Albanians and anyone visiting our country.
Our long-term vision is for VrapOn to become the leading mobility platform in Albania and beyond, integrating all transportation services into a single, user-friendly ecosystem.
Ultimately, the success of a startup is not measured only by the number of users or financial growth but also by its impact on people’s lives. We want VrapOn to be recognized as the platform that made transportation easier, safer, and more accessible for everyone, placing Albania on the map of innovation in this industry.
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