Did you have the idea for Lyft when you were out late looking for a cab one night, or maybe you wanted to go out with friends but none of you wanted to drive? Do you seem to have the knack for coming up with the next industry disruptive idea and then watching it grow to national prominence, only to regret not coming up with it yourself?

These days it seems like everyone gets around in a different way, whether it’s by traditional means, ridesharing, car sharing, or even scootering! These industry disruptors began as startups and quickly changed the way we get around major cities and sometimes even small towns. They’re called industry disruptors because of they tend to impact other industries, the way Lyft changed how taxis operate. Lately, these new modes of transportation have impacted three key industries: public transportation, taxi and limbo services, and of course, the automotive industry.

First, breaking down the immense projected profits of ridesharing companies should be solid motivation to glean as much as you can from this. One thing that might be good to keep in mind is that while there might seem like a natural evolution in an industry, let’s not forget the lessons that can be learned from laser disks, blue ray players, and betamax machines. Just because something seems a little better, doesn’t mean that consumers actually want it. Instead, it’s crucial to look at user experience for inspiration.There is a specific connection between customer pain points and how these innovations come about. Whether the issue is cost, in the case of car purchasing or convenience, or incorporating existing tech more effectively, there is precedent that will teach you how best to approach your next idea.
In the following visual, we break down startups and their impact as an industry disruptor and transportation startup. And while some industries may not survive these innovative periods that change how people view transportation, others turn to investing into it. For example, looking at Toyota, they adapted to the rideshare industry by investing in Uber and Grab, both of which received billions in funding overall and proved to be immediate successes. So, if you have one key takeaway here, it’s that if you can’t beat them, join them!