Tekcapital plc has announced a major breakthrough for its portfolio company, Guident, as the AV safety company gears up for its proposed US IPO.
Guident has secured an agreement with the City of Boca Raton, Florida, to deploy the city’s first autonomous shuttle-based public transportation service.
The autonomous shuttle will serve a 2.6-mile loop connecting Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place, providing residents and visitors with cutting-edge transportation options. The service is scheduled to launch in fall 2025 and represents a significant step forward in smart city transportation solutions.
Although the company didn’t mention the upcoming proposed NASDAQ listing, the Boca Raton deal and further commercial traction will undoubtedly help boost the potential valuation of Guident on listing. Guident filed for its proposed NASDAQ confidentially, so the full details of the flotation will remain private until the final stages.
Fresh strategic partnership
Guident will collaborate with Circuit, the current operator of existing shuttle services in Boca Raton, to combine Guident’s autonomous vehicle technology with Circuit’s proven operational expertise in electric shuttle services.
The initial phase will focus on a 0.6-mile loop within Mizner Park before expanding to the full route. The service is contracted for one year with options to extend beyond that timeframe, allowing both parties to evaluate performance and community impact.
“The growth and innovation happening in Boca right now is incredible, as the operator of BocaCONNECT locally, it’s a natural and exciting next step to bring this autonomous shuttle service to life. Boca continues to lead the way in mobility, and we’re proud to be part of what’s next,” said Alex Esposito, CEO and Co-Founder of Circuit
Circuit brings valuable experience to the partnership, having provided over 10 million eco-friendly rides across eight states, including California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, and Texas. The company specialises in addressing the critical first and last-mile transportation gap that often limits public transit effectiveness.
This autonomous shuttle service aligns with broader trends toward sustainable urban mobility and demonstrates the commercial viability of Guident’s autonomous vehicle technology.
The AV sector is heating up with names such as Tesla being matched in technological advancements and real-world deployments by early-stage start-ups.
Today’s news follows a string of updates by Guident, including patent awards and new use cases such as robotic surveillance.
“Launching the MiCa transportation project in Boca Raton represents a significant step toward making autonomous public transportation a reality. Our collaboration with our esteemed partners underlines a shared vision: to create a safer, more efficient, and connected urban future,” said Harald Braun, Chairman & CEO of Guident.