Today, about a third of the team is Chilean, and that's no coincidence: all the technology and everything we've built technologically is made in Chile.
Forest, also known as Human Forest, was founded in London in 2021 as an innovative proposal to address the challenges of urban mobility, combining technology, operational efficiency, and sustainability. Today, it is the second-largest bike-sharing operator in London, a city that has experienced an explosive increase in the use of bicycles as a means of urban transportation in the wake of the pandemic.
Since its inception, the Chilean company has been committed to a model with high environmental standards and the development of technological solutions built in Chile, integrating national talent in strategic areas and consolidating an operation aligned with the demands of the European market.
This approach has shaped the company's evolution in the United Kingdom. Founded with an initial fleet of 200 electric bicycles, Forest has grown in less than four years to 20,000 eBikes, more than 1.5 million registered users on the platform, and more than 100,000 trips per day in London. Today, as part of the Marca Chile Made by Chileans program, its CEO and founder, Agustín Guilisasti, discusses the importance of Chile in its development, the challenges of operating in the European ecosystem, and the company's future prospects.
How was Forest created, and what is the origin of its name?
Forest was originally called Human Forest, and the name reflects the fact that just as forests capture CO₂, in Human Forest, people who use our bicycles, which are 100% charged with renewable energy and inexpensive for the user, stop emitting CO₂. Therefore, we have the same effect as a forest, and that is why we call ourselves Human, because humans here contribute to that cause.
How did the idea for these eBikes come about?
The idea came about when we were studying in London and saw that there were few mobility options. We wanted to do something different from the traditional, so we came up with the idea of offering users 10 minutes free in exchange for watching advertising. That's why they call us the Spotify of micro-mobility. That's how the idea was born.
How has Human Forest fared in the UK market?
We have invested in three things that set us apart from the competition. First, sustainability. We are currently the only micromobility company with Verra and B Corp certification, which certifies that our entire process is 100% sustainable. Second, price. We are by far the most efficient. We are able to give 10 minutes free or even more free minutes to users who view advertising through our platform. And third, operationally, since last year this company has had positive EBITDA and significant growth this year, which is also expected for the coming years.
Made in Chile
Chile plays a key role in Forest's development. Why is that?
Chile has always been fundamental. Today, nearly a third of the team is Chilean, and that's no coincidence: all the technology and everything we've built technologically is made in Chile. We continue to believe strongly in Chilean talent, especially in technology. We even have a small spin-off from Forest whose technology is also entirely developed in Chile. We are very loyal to the country.
How is Chile perceived in the British and European ecosystem?
When you say Chile here, often the first thing you hear is "Chili." They think we are a chili pepper (because of the name and the length of the country), but we are increasingly being recognized for our wine, tourism, and diversity from north to south.
I think many are surprised by the country's technological capabilities. Chile is now recognized as synonymous with quality.
