This Uber-like startup is still thinking down the road

Ever wished you could turn your car into a selfdriving car on the spot? That’s sort of what DeeDee does.

The service works a bit like Uber, except that instead of requesting a car, you request a driver who shows up by bike to take you around in your own vehicle. The startup founded by Anthony Varas won the Florida International University Track of the Miami Herald’s Startup Pitch Competition last year.

MIAMI HERALD: What impact did COVID-19 have on your business?

ANTHONY VARAS: I was hoping to network a lot more but COVID-19 messed that up. I believe it also hurt my employment opportunities after I graduated college — it took me a lot longer than I expected, but COVID-19 has also given me the opportunity to focus on my current project, which is bootstrapping my business and working on a patent.

MH: How has your business changed over the last year?

AV: The business hasn’t changed much, but the market has changed. Selfdriving cars are becoming more common and Uber has raised their prices in several markets, which has given me more room to

Varas play with my business plan. There have been a few government changes, laws in certain states about contractor work have changed and I’m sure those laws are going to affect my business.

MH: How did participating in the Miami Herald competition affect your business?

AV: I think it’s given me a lot more confidence, for sure. I had entered the year before and didn’t even get into the finals, so when I entered the second time and won first place it showed me how much hard work pays off. I think once I start talking to investors I’m sure the competition is going to give me more credibility.